The Pastor’s Corner

Prayer: O God, consider our groanings and give ear to our words of supplication and cries, for we live in a sinful and wicked generation that dishonors you and harms your people. Wickedness is all around us, Lord. You alone know our frame and how much this causes us to fear and tremble at times. As our sympathetic high priest, you understand our trials and how the world rebels against you. Because of the trials of this life and the rebellion of men, we turn to you, our God in heaven, with confidence that you will hear us and answer us according to your perfect will. Therefore, we order our prayer around that which your Word tells us as it reveals to us something of your nature and how you love, protect, and guard your people. Therefore, we can rejoice as we take refuge in you. You bless the righteous and care for those whom your Son redeemed. You cover us as with a shield in a world living opposed to your Word and ways. Therefore, Father, we pray for your people today and ask that you would stand as a ready guard over them. We ask that you remember your promises to them and be faithful to them as they move through this day. We ask that you would give favor to your people in the eyes of their bosses, spouses, children, friends, and loved ones. We pray that you would remind them that they are blessed when the world opposes them because they name the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Please be willing to comfort them today, encouraging them with your Word. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer: Our God in heaven, you who are the thrice-holy God and the maker of all things visible and invisible, we come to praise you and thank you for your many mercies and acts of loving-kindness that you show your redeemed people each day. As we read your Word, we lament the brevity of our lives. All is vanity, proclaims the preacher. What do we gain from our constant toil? A generation goes, and a generation comes. The sun rises, and the sun goes down. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north. What has been is what will be, and there is nothing new under the sun. We confess that we often place too much stock in our own lives. We forget that we are but dust, that we are a vapor that is here today and gone tomorrow. Like a flower that quickly fades are the days of our lives. We are here today, and we are gone tomorrow. We confess a dreadful arrogance in thinking that we are as important as we boast. We toil. We labor. We witness the sun rising and setting. We see another day, and then we watch it quickly pass away. Our lives move swiftly through the corridor of time, and we forget that the end of the matter is this: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is our duty before you. Forgive us, Father, for our arrogance and pride. Forgive us for failing to remember our primary duty to honor you with everything we do, think, and say. We thank you for not treating us as we deserve. Though you know our frame, you are patient with us, ever leading us in the paths of righteousness for your Name's sake. Therefore, holy Father, be pleased today to help us strive after godliness and holiness, and may we offer our lives as living sacrifices before you.