The Pastor’s Corner

Scripture: Psalm 10:12-18

We live in difficult times lately. It is quite natural to feel the pressure of current events and, sometimes, be distressed by it all. God's people are not immune to the struggles and cares of this world. Yet, they have a sure hope and a divine offer to help and hear as we pray and plead our case before the Lord. Too often, we "over-spiritualize" prayer to the point where we are not honest about our feelings, thoughts, and emotions. The Psalmist in Ps. 10 didn't do that. He was honest with the Lord, and God's people should be as well.

McKim writes, "Sometimes God seems aloof -- standing 'far off' (Ps. 10:1). Today's psalmist feels that God is hidden in times of trouble. The wicked seem to prosper, preying on the 'helpless' (see vv. 8-9) and 'think[ing[ in their heart, 'God has forgotten...he will never see it.' In prayer, we can be completely honest with God - can lament, question, and even challenge God. "

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Prayer: Almighty God and Father in heaven, we bless your name today because you have rescued us from slavery to sin and misery and placed us on the solid rock that is your Son. We thank you that you have not treated us as our sins deserve but have buried them in the deepest ocean and have separated them as far as the east is from the west. We are grateful to you for giving us another Lord's Day that pictures for us the eternal rest that we await. We are thankful for the sacrament of the Lord's Supper that shows forth the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus and the promise of his return. We confess that we do not make diligent use of these outward means, and we know that we do so to our own harm. Please forgive us and work in us a greater zeal for these things. We pray that you would speak to us today through the ministry of your Word. We ask that you would grant your ministers unction from on high and that through their labors, we would behold a powerful demonstration of your Spirit. Please help us, Father. Remember your people for good. Bless us and be merciful to us we pray in the name of the Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Scripture: 1 Sam. 1:9-18

The context of this text is one that finds Hannah, a godly woman who would receive a "double portion" from the LORD. The main character of the text is a woman whom the LORD loved. The narrative crisis describes this woman as barren, "The LORD had closed her womb." As a result of this weighty matter, Hannah turns to the Lord and prays. We read that she had been "pouring out her soul before the LORD." As she prayed, she is noticed by Eli, the priest. He notices that only her lips were moving, but he did not hear anything coming from her mouth.

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Prayer: Almighty God, the maker of all things and the one who orders all things, we thank you that you are a God that never changes. What you have said yesterday is still true today. We thank you that you have given your people promises, and through those promises, you bring comfort and hope to us as pilgrims in this world. We take note that your Word never promises the redeemed of the Lord an easy life free from opposition, persecution, and hatred from others. WE know that your Son suffered at the hands of wicked men, and we note that he told us to expect the same. We are concerned that your church faces difficult and trying days soon, and we confess that we are often not prepared for these things. Forgive us for forgetting that the Christian life is often hard and help us to prepare to stand for Christ come what may. We pray this in His Name. Amen.

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Scripture: Num. 14:13-19

The context of this passage is the immediate aftermath of the rebellion of God's people. They have rejected the good report of Caleb and Joshua. Instead, they desired to return to the land of bondage, Egypt. Here, Moses, the man of God, intercedes again for the sake of the people. This prayer is a "directory for prayer" for God's people today.

McKim writes, "Calvin saw in this 'a sure directory for prayer'" Citing Calvin, he continues, "For nothing can be more sure than [God's] own word, on which if our prayers are based, there is no reason to fear that they will be ineffectual, or that their results should disappoint us, since He who has spoken will prove Himself to be true. And, in fact, this is the reason why He speaks....to afford us the grounds for addressing Him, for else we must be dumb." (20)

Moses prayed the Word of the L

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Meditation for the day taken from "Everyday prayer with John Calvin" written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Gen. 32:9-23

"Sometimes we pray, ask God for something, and then forget about it. We assume that God will act while we stand by and wait for the answer to our prayer to appear. But this is too simple, and it is not what God desires."

Calvin saw, in these steps that Jacob took, a prescription for how we should follow through with our own prayers to God. He wrote, 'After he has prayed to the Lord, and arranged his plans, he now takes confidence and meets the danger. By which example the faithful are taught, that whenever any danger approaches, this order of proceeding is to be observed; first, to resort directly to the Lord; secondly, to apply to immediate use whatever means of help may offer themselves; and thirdly, as persons prepared for any event, to proceed with intrepidity whithersoever the Lord commands. '" (19)

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Prayer: Our God, we bless you for the gift of the Lord's Day. Your word tells us that you regard this day as holy. Sadly, and too our own embarrassment, we often find it an interruption to our lives. We know that the command to keep the Sabbath holy uniquely reveals the remaining worldliness in us. We confess our self-centeredness and failure to honor you by spending the whole day in the public and private exercise of your worship. We are ashamed of how much we know this day brings us and how infrequently we take advantage of it. Forgive us, Father. Renew in us a greater love and zeal for the Lord's Day. Open our eyes and hearts that we may truly delight in it, not doing our own pleasure, by delighting in you. We pray this in the name of Christ. Amen.

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Prayer: Our God in heaven, you were willing to condescend to us and to clothe yourself with human flesh and take upon yourself our nature, yet without sin. By the labors of the second person of the eternal Godhead, you came to redeem us from sin and misery. As the Son labors, he reverses the effect of the Fall. We are thankful to Him for his great work of redeeming us and bringing us peace of conscience. When we think about what the Son did on our behalf, we are ashamed of our lack of zeal and love for him. We fail to adore him as we should. We fall short of the obedience we owe as a result of his saving mercy. So often, we seek our own kingdom and not yours. Forgive us, Lord. Please renew our minds and hearts and conform them to your will. Please grant to us a greater willingness and zeal to love Jesus, your only begotten Son. We pray this in his name. Amen.

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Prayer: Our great sovereign, the true God of heaven and earth, we come to you on behalf of our nation in which we live. We confess to you that we have placed too much emphasis on the importance of our leaders. We know that your Word states regarding the civil magistrates. We thank you for erecting civil order to govern and protect society. Yet, we also know that these people are mere men. Like us, they sin and fall short of your glory. Too often, we place our trust in princes and not the Prince of Peace. Too often, we complain about what they are doing and what they are not doing. Instead of praying for them, we gripe, murmur, and complain. Forgive us. We pray this day for our leaders. We plead with you to open their eyes and their minds and their hearts to their dire need. May they see that they too need Christ.. May they bow the knee now to the mandates of the true sovereign and king. Restrain them, Father, from evil mandates and laws. Expose their deceit, where it exists, and protect your church from harm. We pray these things in the name of Christ, the true King who rules in justice and mercy. Amen.

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Prayer: Father, we are blessed with the joy of another Lord's day, which reminds us of the glory we await in the New Heavens and the New Earth. We are thankful that you have provided this day as the marketplace for our souls. From the first week of creation, you set apart this day for man that they may worship you. We know that we do not always regard it as a delight. Instead, we often trample it underfoot, talking idly, and doing our own pleasures. Forgive us, and help us to honor and love this day as you have commanded. We thank you that we have the privilege to worship with your people today and to hear your Word read and proclaimed. We ask that as your people gather, they would behold your majesty and sing your praises. We ask that you would meet with us and bless us, and make your face to shine upon us. We pray these things in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Prayer: Our God in heaven, your Word tells us that you are the one who sovereignly places men and women in authority over us in civil affairs. We know that there is no guarantee that these people will be godly and righteous. In fact, history has taught us that oftentimes they are not. Yet, your Word also tells us that these people, as given by you, are given for the good of your church. It is through these means that you perfect and provide and protect your church. We also know that your Word tells us to pray for "kings and all those in authority over us." We confess that we often forget to pray for our leaders and, instead, complain about them. We know that your Word denounces a grumbling and complaining spirit. Forgive us and help us to labor on our knees for our government leaders. Please help us to truly pray and plead with you for their good and the advancement of the gospel and the good of the church. We pray this in the name of Christ. Amen.

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