Pentecost / Church
Prayer
Pastoral Prayers For All Seasons
Object:
God, our Redeemer, how refreshing it is to come again to this place of worship. This building was constructed and cared for by the generations that preceded us, that they and we might have a beautiful and safe haven in which to invoke your presence.
This room is unlike any other place we enter. Here we sing gospel songs and hymns that we rarely sing any other place. Here we pray together, which we seldom do elsewhere. Here we reflect upon the meaning of the scriptures and are given opportunities for spiritual growth not offered at any other public gathering.
In this room we let down our guard. We leave the strain of the past week ease from our bodies. Here we don't sit rigidly ever ready to defend ourselves, explain our behavior, or promote our accomplishments.
In this hallowed hall we unite not only with each other, but with all those who have gone to eternity, and who now form around us so great a cloud of witnesses. Further, while we gather here, other believers are coming together on the next street and down the road. We take strength from the church gathered and the church scattered.
This is also a powerful and purposeful hour. We come depleted and leave refreshed. We come confused and return clear-minded. We come feeling estranged, but go back to our duties cared for and loved.
May we receive our inheritance of joy and hope. May we pass them on strengthened and enhanced. We thank you, Lord, for our church. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
This room is unlike any other place we enter. Here we sing gospel songs and hymns that we rarely sing any other place. Here we pray together, which we seldom do elsewhere. Here we reflect upon the meaning of the scriptures and are given opportunities for spiritual growth not offered at any other public gathering.
In this room we let down our guard. We leave the strain of the past week ease from our bodies. Here we don't sit rigidly ever ready to defend ourselves, explain our behavior, or promote our accomplishments.
In this hallowed hall we unite not only with each other, but with all those who have gone to eternity, and who now form around us so great a cloud of witnesses. Further, while we gather here, other believers are coming together on the next street and down the road. We take strength from the church gathered and the church scattered.
This is also a powerful and purposeful hour. We come depleted and leave refreshed. We come confused and return clear-minded. We come feeling estranged, but go back to our duties cared for and loved.
May we receive our inheritance of joy and hope. May we pass them on strengthened and enhanced. We thank you, Lord, for our church. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
