“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God
is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but
with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be
able to endure it.  Therefore, my
beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:13-14).

Have you ever asked why this
constant tug-of-war?  Has not the Lord
promised that He will grow in you the image of Christ?  Do you not yet see that the Lord is working
all things together for good for those who love Him?  Do not be tossed about by the thinking of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Flee from that which tempts you and walk in
the counsel of the Lord.

Lord, help me to see that the war of this world is over.  Guide me in the way of true life that I would
not place myself in a position to be constantly tempted.  Help me to walk humbly with You knowing that
only by Your grace can I not be thrown about by the constant pressures of this
world.  You, Lord, have provided the way
of living that all who walk with You may walk in peace.

Lord Jesus, You know all that we
face and You have provided all that is needed. 
Teach me to flee from those things which entice that I may not be tossed
about by this world.  You have led the
way to worship the Father in spirit and truth. 
Continue to teach me what this means that I may always come into the
Father’s presence and abide with You and the Holy Spirit, doing what is
pleasing in His sight. Amen.

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written
for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take
heed that he does not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).

If you are confident in your
faith, good for you. Take care, though, that your confidence is not in your
standing or your ability, but truly based upon what you have received from the
Lord.  This is the heart of the faith,
for we ought not lean on our own understanding, but upon the very breath of
God.  He who created all things knows all
that is needed.  Come into His presence
and be led by the One who knows you better than you know yourself.

Lord, help me to always turn to You first and foremost.  Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy that I
would always seek Your face.  Help me to
not fall, but to stand firm in the truth of all that You have revealed.  It is You alone and for Your glory alone that
I desire to live this life which You have given.  Guide me according to Your goodness and mercy
all the days of my life.

Help me Holy Spirit to keep first
things first.  Never let me wander and
keep me close to You.  Help me through
all the trials that will come that I may not fall.  Lead me in the grace of Christ to seek each
day to walk on a journey of becoming more like Him.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and
search my heart that all that would hinder me might be removed.  Guide me now and always according to Your
perfect plan.  Amen.

“Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by
the serpents.  Nor grumble, as some of
them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:9-10).

The rebellion against the Lord
is deep and continuing.  We were born in
a world opposed to the Lord and the things of the Lord.  In salvation we come into a new life that
seeks to see the old Adam killed each day that the likeness of Christ may
increase.  Come into the new life that comes
through salvation and know the goodness of the Lord by putting on the mind of
Christ.

Lord, help me to see where I rebel against You.  Guide me in the way I need to go that I may
grow in the likeness of Christ.  Lead me
according to Your goodness that I may now and always abide humbly in Your
presence and walk according to Your precepts. 
Let me not be destroyed, but destroy within me those things which hinder
my relationship with You.  You know what
is needed.  Apply all that I need that I
may humbly walk with You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save
us.  Save me from myself and all that
hinders me from simply walking with You each day.  Lead me into the life You have in store for
me.  Guide me this day according to Your
grace that I would hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Let me not be turned aside by those around me
who hate You, but uplifted in the way You know I need to be uplifted.  Amen.

“Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The
people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.”  Nor let us act immorally, as some of them
did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day” (1 Corinthians 10:7-8).

What is the purpose of your
life?  Is it to seek after the pleasures
of the flesh?  This does not mean one has
to be austere or deny the flesh, but one should seek balance knowing that this
world is temporary and we are preparing to be with the Lord forever.  This life will disappoint, but the Lord never
will.  Do not practice idolatry, but live
in the presence of the Lord always.

Lord, help me to see where I cross the line and the worries of this
world supersede the truth of eternity. 
Grow in me a balance that sees my life lived in balance.  Guide me Lord in the way of truth that I
would now and always look to You first and know that I am always in Your
presence.  Guide me, Lord, according to
Your will that I would live life in a way that is pleasing to You.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister
to my inner life.  Lead me in the way I
need to go and when I cross the line, convict me that I would repent and remain
on the narrow road.  You know all that is
needed and You continuously search my heart. 
Guide me in the way of truth that I would grow to become like Christ in
all things.  Help me now and always to
keep the balance You have given me. 
Amen.

“Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they
were laid low in the wilderness.   Now
these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil
things as they also craved” (1 Corinthians 10:5-6).

We seek after temporary things
to appease our desires and place our faith in our comfort.  Be not tossed about by the fickle feelings
this world encourages, but by the truth that the Lord has revealed.  Come into the presence of God and see Your
life become what it was meant to be.  Do
not be as those who wander in the wilderness, but as those who sit at the feet
of Jesus and receive the one thing necessary.

Lord, help me to be a temperate person who is balanced in this life in
preparation for what is to come.  Guide
me according to Your goodness that I may see that in You alone is the truth of
life.  Keep me from being led astray by
hunger in the belly, or a tantalizing temptation.  Hold me fast to the truth You have revealed
once for all.  Guide me in the goodness
of Your Word that I may be satisfied.

Lord Jesus, You know all the
temptations that are common to us all. 
You know where I am led astray. 
Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always walk
with You leading me.  Help me in those
moments where I am tempted to wander that I may be guided by Your grace.  Whenever I meet those obstacles that come,
lead me not into temptation, but into Your presence.  Amen.

“And all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual
drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and
the rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:3-4)

There is One Lord who is Lord of
all.  Humans sometimes run off in
tangents wanting to be special.  We are
all created in the image of the One who made us.  Look to the rock of our salvation and see
that in Him is light and life.  It is
through Christ alone that we find our salvation.  He is the One who will lead all who follow in
the journey needed for final salvation.

Lord, I often think in terms of You . . . and.  Help me to be rid of the “and” that I may
rest in You alone.  Guide me in the path
of salvation You have established for me that I may humbly walk that path and
not seek another.  Guide me according to
Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope.  You have come to establish the never-ending
kingdom for all who follow You.

Lord Jesus, You know what I need
this day.  Help me, I pray, to live into
the life of faith You have given me that I may build my life upon the rock of
salvation which is You.  Guide me in the
steps I need to take that I may now and always abide in You knowing that You
abide in me.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, as
only You can and keep me close to You that I may be content in Your
salvation.  Amen.

“For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).

Here it is.  All means all.  All those who are in the grace of Christ are
in the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit.  This answers the, “What then?”  What then are we to do?  We have been crucified with Christ in order
to be raised with Him.  Be raised and put
on this new life that You have been given in baptism.  Be guided by the truth of Christ that You may
pursue the upward call of grace to ever increase into His likeness.

Guide me, Holy Spirit, in the inner life that the whole of me would be
transformed into this new life given me by grace.  Lead me according to what You know that what
I think I know would be set aside.  Help
me to be fully invested and participate in all that You have in store for
me.  Lead me to be in each moment and
live in these moments learning and growing and becoming like Christ.

Lord Jesus, You are the way.  You have established from the beginning the
way of life.  I spend much time wandering
through this world and not doing the things that need be done.  Lead me according to Your grace to live into
the life You have in store for me.  Grant
me the fortitude to hold fast and not relinquish the progress You have helped
me to gain.  Help me to be intentional
about all that I do that I may continue to walk the path You set before
me.  Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 2^nd Sunday in Lent (March 8, 2020)

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.

A brief silence

Dearest heavenly Father, we know the “Gospel in miniature” by heart. Thank you for its truth. You so loved the world! You gave your only Son! We may have everlasting life, not death! We praise and adore you for your love. By your Spirit, let every thought, word, and action reflect that love – to you, and to people who don’t yet know your love or believe your Word.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let the wind of your Spirit blow through your Church. Use it impart your divine life and holy love to all who will receive them. Grant new and heavenly life to congregations wounded and dying from the assaults of the world, the devil, and their own sinful selves. Make them into “wounded healers,” able to draw broken and sinful people to Jesus, their Life and true Love.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Keep watch over our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world when they cry to you for help. Preserve them from every evil; and grant repentance, forgiveness, and new life to their tormentors.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel, needed the challenge, wisdom, and words of life that only Jesus could give. Grant that all who seek to be pastors, teachers, and theologians in your Church should constantly sit at Jesus’ feet. There, let them drink in his love, wisdom, and Spirit, so they can be truth-filled teachers and trustworthy guides to everyone in their care.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fill this congregation with the Holy Spirit, so that day by day, our hearts, minds, words and ministries are reborn as instruments of your will. Use us to bring your redeeming love to those who need it most.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be gracious to travelers, immigrants, refugees, and all who have left their homes by choice or necessity. Give them safety and refreshment, hopefulness and faith upon their way. Set before their eyes the example of Abram and Sarai, so that their journey is sheltered by your watchful presence and finds its end in your loving embrace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give teachable minds and humble hearts to the leaders of nations, especially our own. Help them prefer integrity and wisdom to the allure of power or popularity. Make them watchful and protective toward those entrusted to their care. Guide them in paths of justice and righteousness, so that they may also guide their citizens in those paths.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be the guard, guide and shield of those in our military, and to first responders. Do not let their foot be moved; deliver them from evil; and use their labors to bring safety and aid. Restore them to their loved ones when their task is done. Grant honor to the fallen, healing to the wounded; and peace to all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Watch over everyone who endures pain, sorrow, fear, doubt, loneliness or despair, especially: {List}. Be that blessed shade and shelter from all that afflicts them; give hope to their hearts, health to their bodies, calm confidence to their minds; and unshakable faith to their souls.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for fulfilling your promise of eternal life to all who have died trusting in you. Keep us steadfast in the faith you granted to Abraham and Sarah; to Paul and all the apostles, martyrs and saints of your Church; and to all of your redeemed people from every time and place, every kindred, tribe and nation. Guide us through this “barren land;” feed us with the Bread of Heaven; be our strength and shield; and bring us safely through the Jordan into your blessed presence, where we may forever sing your praises and delight in your love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 1^st Sunday in Lent (March 1, 2020)

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.

A brief silence

Father, thank you for Jesus. He didn’t rely on more-than-human powers as he fasted in the wilderness. He didn’t face Satan clothed only in the power of divinity. He was tempted just as we are when we’re at our weakest! Thank you that he stands with us, and for us, and dwells in us, through the worst temptations and struggles we face.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, forgive your Church when it falls into lukewarm worship, wayward teaching, fractured fellowship, stingy charity, and halfhearted witness. Forgive it when it condemns certain sinners, but re-brands its favorite sins as virtue. Help it to stand firm in your Holy Word when it is tempted by these sins of faithlessness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive our persecuted brethren throughout the world when their anguish curdles into bitterness, retribution, or loss of faith. Strengthen and heal them, so by their witness, you lead their tormentors to repentance and true faith.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive missionaries and all who seek to be your disciples when their passion for the Gospel cools, or when they become impatient or distracted. Kindle the fire of your most Holy Spirit within them, so that they glorify you in all they say and do.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive this congregation when we focus on the speck in another’s eye, ignoring the log in our own. Forgive us when we seek our own will, not yours. Forgive us when we boast of ourselves, not the Cross of Christ. Fashion us into the image of Jesus, so others, seeing our good works, glorify you alone.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, have mercy on us when we are tempted to sin. Warn and rebuke us, so we resist and repent. Guide us, so we feed on your Word and commit ourselves into your care. Humble us, so we rely only our Savior, who was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive the nations and leaders of the world, especially our own. Forgive the arrogance and ambition that drive decisions. Forgive the cruelty, suspicion and hatred that fuel wars. Forgive the apathy and prejudice that fuel neglect and injustice. Create new hearts within us; and grant us that peace which only you can give.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive those in our military, and all first responders when their hearts become hardened by vengeance or hatred. Heal, guide and strengthen them to act in accordance with your will.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, have mercy on all who are sick, injured, or handicapped; addicted, abused, or abandoned; despairing, frightened, or ashamed; frightened, grieving or dying. Especially we pray for: {List}. Deliver them from the powers of sin, death and the devil. Restore them to health, hope, and fellowship with all who love them. Renew their faith in you, their Savior and Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Father, thank you for showing mercy to all who have died trusting in your promises. Keep us steadfast in faith. Forgive us when we succumb to temptations. When the long Lent of this life is complete and the hour of death draws near, let the Cross of Christ sustain us in faith and hope. By his glorious Resurrection, raises us from our tombs. Through the Holy Spirit, breathe your life and love into us forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020)

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer on behalf of all his people.

A brief silence

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. As you are holy, make us pure and holy. As you are mighty, give us strength to turn from sin to live for you alone. As you are immortal, by the death and resurrection of our Savior Christ, lead us out of death to life.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon your church. Purge it of all faithlessness, false teaching, uncharitable words, and unholy actions. Fill it with your Holy Spirit, and use it to grant the joy of your saving help to all repentant sinners.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon all who are persecuted on account of your beloved Son. Keep them steadfast in faith, patient in suffering, persistent in prayer, and gracious in forgiving their enemies. Soften the hearts of all who despise Christ, and grant them repentance and true faith.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on our seminary and church college professors, on Christian school and preschool teachers and aides, and upon everyone seeking to be a disciple of Jesus and to join him in mission, whether abroad or in their everyday lives. Give wisdom to their minds, eloquence to their tongues, and deep love to their souls, for you and for all they serve.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on this congregation. Cleanse it from everything that obscures your strong saving love for us, and for those to whom we minister. Grant that we may prefer nothing whatsoever to Jesus Christ, and to sharing his forgiveness and salvation with others.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon all converts, all who are preparing for baptism at Easter, and for all whose faith wavers and dims because of doubts or despair.  Give them a double portion of your Spirit, and bring them into your loving embrace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon the nations of the world and their rulers. Especially we pray for our own elected and appointed leaders. Lead them in the paths of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Help us all to work with one another according to your will. Never let us forget the needs of the poor, the widow, and the orphan; the dispossessed and unemployed; the sick and forgotten; the abused and the unjustly imprisoned. Give us the means and the will to ease their burden.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on all who stand in harm’s way in defense of life and liberty. Strengthen them in every virtue that increases concord, establishes safety, and protects innocent lives. Reunite them with loved ones; and help them use their skills to serve their community in new ways.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on all who suffer in body, mind, heart or soul – especially those who crave our prayers, including: {List}. Refresh their spirits, renew their hope, and restore their joy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, keep in your special care our beloved dead. Wipe away the tears of those whose grief runs deep. Help us to help and encourage one another throughout this troubled life. Keep us steadfast in faith, constant in hope, and ardent in love. Lead us from death into the life and love you have prepared for all whom you have redeemed through the passion of your Son, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.