Pastoral Prayer 7/9/23

Lord, you are the great and awesome God of the universe. You have made all things, and you have done all things well. Your Word says that the very heavens declare your glory, if we would but just consider your creation and gaze upon the beauty of the world, we would catch glimpses of your majestic power.

The Psalm we read today speaks of the folly of concluding that there is no God. Only a fool could reason that you do not exist, it would be utter foolishness to look at everything you have made and draw the conclusion that it just happened to arrive here by chance. Some of the words most brilliant minds are actually fools. This is what you have said.

And yet, Lord, we can fall prey to the temptation to forget you. On the one hand, we are tempted to be puffed up with pride as if we are really something, we can be tempted to feel superior within ourselves that at least we affirm faith in God, at least we’re not as foolish as those atheists. May we not be puffed with pride. Forgive us, oh God and savior, for those moments of arrogance when we recon ourselves as superior because of our faith. If we are not fools in this regard it is not because we are smarter or better than anyone else, it is only because of your grace, oh Lord. May we not look on others with disdain, but with the same love and compassion as Christ.

On the other hand, while we might affirm your existence and look down our noses at those who reject you, we can so easily walk through this life affirming faith in you and yet living as though you do not exist. We can so easily live life as functional atheist despite our profession of faith. It is so easy to get caught up in the business of life and all the daily pressures that we endure and to just try to muscle through, or to just live by instinct and we can forget to acknowledge you and allow you to direct our ways. We are so prone to lean on our own understanding rather than seek out your wisdom. Forgive us for this.

Thank that we have confidence in the saving work of Jesus Christ upon that cross, that even though we do sin in many ways you are faithful to forgive because of the finished work of Jesus at Calvary.

Lord I ask that we could be a people who are faithful in each of our individual context to proclaim the truth of your word to a truth-starved world. Everywhere around us there are those who are believing lies about themselves and lies about who you are and what you have done. Everywhere around us there are those who are desperate for truth. I pray we can show the love of Christ and that imploring voice of 2 Cor 5 as your ambassadors: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”

Lord, I am grateful that there are other churches in our community who are faithful to teach your word. Though we may have some theological and philosophical differences on secondary issues, we have confidence that the Gospel is being proclaimed.

I pray for Oak Park Baptist this morning. This week they are hosting their VBS. I pray that they would have good turnout, I pray that the volunteers would be intentional about how they lead the children, I pray that as the Gospel is taught that any children who need to trust in Christ would do so. I ask that you would use this to reach more families in the community with the Gospel.

Lord, I pray for Family Bible Church in Knoxville, TN, a sister church plant. They are in need of permanent pastor. I ask that you would supply a qualified man that could lead that church toward independence. They are also in need of a new location to meet. I ask that you would help the leadership of that church to find just the right place that would meet the needs the congregation and allow room for growth. I ask that you would provide financially anything that is needed to help them secure that location. I pray for the congregation, that you, the God of endurance and encouragement, might grant them to live in harmony with one another, in according with Christ Jesus, that they together with one voice might glorify you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I also pray for the Dan family today. Józsué, Sári, Jóel, Nóé, Káleb, and baby on the way- I praise you for their support level being above and beyond their monthly needs. I ask that you would provide for them the necessarily funds for their outgoing expenses. I think you for the blessing of their fourth child due later this year, and I pray for the pregnancy and health of both Sari and the baby. I pray for strength in the midst of moving and traveling while carrying this child, and that your grace and strength would be evident. Finally, as they transition to their new home and ministry in Hungary, I ask that you, the God of hope, would fill them with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit they might abound in hope (Rom 15:13).

Now Lord as we look into your Word today, I ask that you would guide our study. May we be encouraged by the reminders that are within this text today.

I pray all of this in Christ’s name. Amen.