Psalm 34 A Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for bringing us here together this morning, to worship your holy name, in this holy community, set aside for the purpose of magnifying your presence upon this surrounding neighborhood, in this city, and beyond. We praise you in your holiness and that even though we are a people that often go astray, you stretch out your hand with a rod and a staff and guide us back to You. You are a merciful redeeming Father, who reigns. (want to pause for silence)

Help our tongues praise you continually for your great deeds and your great work. Lift up our countenance, for we are children of the king. You hear us in our cries for deliverance and in our want. We praise you that you give to us in accordance to your will and your divine plan, and that you have commissioned us as your children, as heirs, as viceroys.

Lord teach us to fear you with awe and wonder, that we may turn from evil and may seek peace and pursue it. Purge our own subtle respectful sins from our souls like a refiners fire that we may be a pure people, brazen for your glory and to share your words. Keep our tongues from evil and our lips from speaking deceit. Help us oh God to turn to you for help, for the righteous are afflicted but you deliver.

I pray for this people today to hear this word today that are far from you. I pray that those that are in the wilderness of silence in the valley of doubt, that they are not alone. Engage their minds. I pray that they find living water in this sermon today and that they would taste and see that the Your are good. Whet our mouths upon these words spoken here today.

I pray that you would re-prime the well pumps of our hearts and minds today that living springs may rush forth and that we could drink deeply of your grace first to see how it is applicable to our lives today in the 21st century, that you are not some archaic deity far off, but that your are near. I pray that these living waters would not just flow for us but to those that are around us, our families, our co-workers, our employees. May we be an oasis to those that are in barren lands apart from you, without hope. Help us to teach people to find refuge in Christ alone. We praise you. We thank you. We pray this in Christ’s name for his sake and the sake of your work in us. Amen.