Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 28th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by calling and drawing us to you and to unity with each other.

King Jesus,

In our daily struggle with our own sin, the darkness in this world can make it seem like there is no hope. In the midst of our struggles, comfort us with the truth that you are active in the “here and now” through your Word and your body and blood. Comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to help us, and to carry us in hope.Turn us to you in hope, Lord

“Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. 

In this Advent season as we celebrate and reflect on your entry into your creation to save it, spark our hearts to shout along with the church eternal at your coming and your promised return, “Hosanna!”, “Save us!” Remind us that when we shout “Hosanna!” it is out of our need for salvation, but also in faith that in you, we are already saved. Saved from the clutches of sin, death, and the devil. For the King we welcome is the humble Servant King, the King who willingly bears the wrath of God in our stead, that by His blood we are adopted into His perfect Sonship as full heirs of His Kingdom.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 21st

Almighty God,

Before we take in the countless voices of the day, have us hear, in these early hours, the voice of our Creator and Redeemer. Renew our hearts and minds this morning and make us vessels to receive your gifts. 

Lord,

There are moments and seasons when we find that we have been consumed by entitlement before you and the world; consumed by our own self-interest, our ambition, our fear, our pride, our desire to control, our anger in the face of circumstances out of our control. When you cause our own hearts to declare and admit our guilt and helplessness, come close. 

Come close and by your Word turn our hearts from entitlement to gratitude. Gratitude for a grace that knows no bounds, extending to the entire world, extending to each and every one of us. Gratitude for a faith authored and perfected by Christ and gifted to each and every one of us. Gratitude for a love that indeed endures forever. Forever rescuing, forever renewing, forever guiding, forever helping. Gratitude for the person and work of Jesus Christ, through whom, by his mercy and grace, we receive forgiveness, renewal, and restoration.

King Jesus,

Have us hear your voice as it cuts through the noise and expectations of the world and our own hearts. Bring to our sinfulness the cleansing waters of your forgiveness. Bring to our brokenness, your divine blood which fills the fractures of our souls. Bring to our weakness, your perfect strength. Bring to our dark self righteousness, the light of your righteousness, that we may walk, not in glib optimism, but in thanksgiving and the sure and steadfast hope found and rooted in you, Christ the King, the great “Yes” of all God’s promises.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 31st

Merciful, gracious, compassionate Lord,

As you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit we ask that you make this church a place of refuge, a place of renewal, a place of Gospel rest. Free us from the lie that we can and need to earn your favor and our righteousness before you. Graciously close every loophole of self-sufficiency we try to squeeze through. Close those loopholes so we may know only Christ alone and him crucified, and that it is by the gift of faith in Him and His works we are made righteous, not by our own.

King Jesus,

In a world churning with manufactured urgency and busyness, in a world overrun with moralistic scorekeeping, in a world steeped in self-righteousness of every flavor but lacking in confession and repentance, in a world long on condemnation but short on forgiveness, reach out your long arm of grace. A grace that is love that is gentle with a doubting heart. A grace that is love whose power is made perfect in our weakness. A grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return. A grace that loves us so much, that you took on flesh and entered your creation as one of us, so that from the cross and through the empty tomb you might save us.

Reach out your long arm of grace, a grace that speaks, “Rest. Be comforted. Stop trying to save yourselves, I have already done it. It is finished.”

All this, we pray in your mighty name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 24th

Almighty God,

Be light for us, today and everyday. Send your Holy Spirit to be the spark that rises in the darkness we might find ourselves in.

Your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To enliven us, to teach us, to instruct us, to lead us. To show us the Son, that we may be set free in the Son. 

By the power of your Word this morning, shatter the bondage of self in which we are chained. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ to show kindness, patience, compassion and love to all those in need, which is each and every one of us. 

King Jesus,

In pouring out your lifeblood on the cross, you poured out your love into this world in rivers of free flowing grace. 

This world, and our own hearts, would have us make enemies of our neighbor. You would have us say, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” 

Turn our hearts. Turn us, Lord, and make us humble receivers.  Receivers of you, the Great Giver.

Give peace, that we might be peacemakers

Give forgiveness, that we might be forgivers

Give love, that we might love the unlovable, just as you love us

Give mercy, that we might be merciful

Give us your merciful heart Lord. 

In the name of the One whose name is above ALL names, In the name of Jesus the Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 17th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of rest and renewal in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by inviting us to pour out our hearts and minds. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son. Grant us the comfort that you are sovereign and that in you we find hope, mercy, grace, peace and love. 

Lord,

In this busy world, we have so many worries and struggles we try to handle and overcome on our own. The heavy burden of the world’s obligations. The world’s confusing and conflicting expectations. All of the needs and temptations and hurts and frustrations and heartache and restlessness we find ourselves in. We can feel alone. We can feel lost. We can feel unseen. We all long to be seen.

But you see us. You are the God who sees. You know exactly where we are and you come to us in the midst of our struggles. You come to us through your Word here this morning. You come to us through your body and blood here this morning. You come to us through the indwelling of your Spirit and the light you shine through our brothers and sisters. 

King Jesus,

See us, interrupt our restlessness and give us rest. See us, invade and fulfill our needs as only you can. See us in our afflictions, and turn us to the cross where you took all of our hurts, frustrations, failure, sin and heartache as your own. 

See us, and shower us with your grace and your mercy and your peace.

In the name of the God who sees, in the name of Jesus Christ the King of Kings,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 10th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. We thank you for the miracle of this church family. Each and every one of us whom you’ve gathered by your Holy Spirit to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness. To receive peace. To receive new life. To receive reconciliation with you and with each other in the person and work of Jesus Christ. To receive rest.

Lord,

In a world that sometimes seems short on hope, have us pause to reflect that you carry and deliver hope in the most unlikely ways and into the most undignified places. Turn us to Christ in hope. 

Hope in the creator of the universe, who entered into His creation not in glory, but in the filth of a stable. Hope in the King of kings, who came to us not in the purple robes of earthly royalty, but cloaked in the fragility of flesh. Hope in the God who does not remain far away, but who’s divine footprints marked the dusty roads of His creation.

Hope in the author of love, who knows and has felt our pain and weakness and reaches out to wipe away our tears. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and comforts the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who sees sin yet loves the sinner so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking here today forgives, enlivens, and restores everyone who hears.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 3rd

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity with you, and unity with each other as one body. Whether gathered side by side, or separated by distance, time, opinions, or troubles, we are one in you. And you bless us by turning us to you. Hear our prayer, Lord, through your Son.

King Jesus,

There are times, the darkness in this world can make it seem like there is no light. 

When we are walking in darkness, or bombarded and overwhelmed by the flood of news of darkness, have us listen and hear your voice, “I am the light of the world”.

When we are kneeling in weakness, have us listen and hear your voice, “In your weakness, my power is made perfect.”

When we are burdened by fear and worry, have us listen and hear your voice, “Do not be afraid, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” 

In the midst of uncertainty, change, and disruption in our lives, we are often filled with doubt. Lord, open your heart to our prayer, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Give us assurance by your Word that you know your plans for us; plans for healing, plans of hope, plans of renewal and restoration in you, in whom all God’s plans and promises are fulfilled. 

All this we pray in the name of our friend, our comforter, our redeemer, our King, Jesus Christ.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 19th

Almighty God,

God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head. You see our thoughts and read our hearts yet love us beyond measure, sending your one and only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him. We turn to you in thanks and praise for sustaining us, holding us close, and drawing us together in fellowship in You and with each other.

God of hope, who brought love into this world in your Son, be the love that dwells between us and in us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world in your Son, be the peace that dwells between us and in us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world in your Son, be the joy that dwells between us and in us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be our firm foundation, anchoring us in the Good News.

The good news that in the cross, in the empty tomb, there is hope for the hopeless.

The good news that in beautiful slavery to Christ, there is liberty from the bondage of sin and death.

The good news that in a world full of condemnation, in Christ, there is grace for the sinner.

The good news that for the brokenhearted, in Christ, there is joy in a time or place of sorrow. Anoint us with the oil of joy, poured out in the precious blood of the Anointed One, the Word made flesh, entered into the world to save it.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 12th

Almighty God,

We thank you for the freedom we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for this place of refuge and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness, restoration, and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask that you be the shield around us as you continue to gather us, feed us, bless us and sustain us.

Settle our busy and restless minds and hearts this morning. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace that passes all understanding.

Lord, You say “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them”. Today we rejoice that we get to witness and participate in your baptism of little Griffin Paul. We get to witness and celebrate as you grow your church and your Kingdom. We get to witness and celebrate visible, tangible Gospel, as you seal him with, and in, your mighty name. Gifting faith into his heart, pouring in your Spirit, and creating his life anew.

Lord, Cause each of us to remember our own baptism today and everyday. As an event in history, in our story, when we were grafted in to your history and your story. Have us remember that in baptism you are keeping your promises, capturing and claiming us as full heirs of your kingdom by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of you and your work alone.

Rest us in the truth that in baptism we have been buried with Christ into His death, and we do not have to be afraid of the tomb in which we will one day rest, because you have already been there. In your gift of Holy Baptism we pass through your grave and into your resurrection.

Have us hear the fulfilled promise you spoke through St. Paul: “You are the children of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

All this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ the crucified, Jesus Christ the Risen, Jesus Christ the Living, Jesus Christ the reigning King of Kings.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 29th

Heavenly Father, 

There are times when the darkness around us and our personal struggles with the darkness within us can make it seem like there is no light. In your mercy, crash your light into the darkness. By your Word, scatter the dark clouds with showers of your grace. In the midst of our daily struggles you call us here by the Holy Spirit, and you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. Turn us to you. Hear our prayer Father, through your Son, our mediator and our mediation.

Lord,

Out of fear, we so easily get distracted and turned from you by the overwhelming tide of voices all around us. Loud and self seeking voices that elevate anger, resentment, and self-righteousness. Voices which would have us declare our neighbors as our enemies, and call it virtue. Voices which we so often gladly join, in a resounding chorus of self-righteousness. Where these voices and our own hearts cry “War!”, turn our hearts and tongues to declare peace. Where the world and our own hearts double down on the pain and wounds of this life, turn our hearts and tongues to proclaim the healing balm of the Good News of Christ’s reign.

King Jesus,

We confess we so often fall to temptation, and bear the fruit of sin: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Be the Christ for us. Remind us that we are marked with the name of God Most High, and stir the Holy Spirit within us that we might instead bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Be the friend and pardoner of sinners. In your mercy turn us, repent us, faith us, forgive us, renew us, and lead us that we might walk in your ways.

In your mighty and gracious name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 22nd

Lord, 

In a world that forms us for distraction, be our firm foundation. In a world full of so much noise and information that leaves us disenchanted and disillusioned, draw us into your Word, that we might see and experience the reality of your work in our midst. Turn us to you and who you reveal yourself to fully be in Jesus Christ.

Gracious Father, 

You sent your one and only Son into creation not to condemn it, but to save it. Not to demand that we pull ourselves up by our spiritual bootstraps, but to proclaim good news to the spiritually poor. 

King Jesus, 

You came into your creation not to condemn it, but to save it. To enter into our grief to provide comfort, to anoint us with the oil of joy instead of mourning, to cloak us in peace instead of a spirit of despair before God.

King Jesus, 

You came into your creation not to condemn it, but to save it. To bind up the brokenhearted. To proclaim the release of the prisoners from the dark prisons of our own making.To proclaim freedom for the captives of sin. Rest us in the truth of the Good News: “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” 

Cause us to walk in that freedom, in the certainty of your promises in an uncertain world. Cause us to walk in that freedom, proclaiming forgiveness when the world demands we proclaim condemnation. Cause us to walk in that freedom, bearing the Good News of your present and active royal reign.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 8th

Merciful, gracious, compassionate Lord,

As you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit we ask that you make this church a place of refuge, a place of Gospel rest. Not just a place to simply recharge our batteries for getting back on the false treadmill of earning your favor. Free us from the devil’s lie of the “merit machine”, of trying to earn our righteousness before you. Graciously close every loophole of self-sufficiency we try to squeeze through. Close those loopholes so we may know only Christ alone and him crucified, and that it is by the gift of faith in Him and His works we are made righteous, not by our own.

Lord,

There are many among us experiencing the turbulent seas of this life. In the midst of the storm of voices that daily bombard us, have us hear your voice, and your words, “Do not be afraid.” Have us hear the very voice and word through which the universe came into being. Speak the promise and assurance of your resurrection life into our hearts today and every day. 

As we enter into a time in your Word together, remind us that your word is living and active. For you, to speak is to do. When we breathe in the very breath of life, you are speaking.

When a church is gathered, you are speaking. When the discarded are salvaged, when the wounded are healed, when the brokenhearted are comforted, when sinners are forgiven, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. Quiet our minds, settle our hearts, and open our ears that we may hear and know your voice and believe.

All this, we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 1st

Come to us. Come Lord Jesus and wash over us with your peace.  Keep us in your grip. Hold fast to us with your wounded hands that heal. Hold fast to our hearts with your words that though there is suffering in this life you have overcome the world. 

Hold fast with your promise, and have us see and rejoice, that in this groaning creation you are invading and making all things new...and right. Help the hurting to know that when we are suffering that you suffered for us. Rest us in your assurance that you know our pain because you took the pains of the world on yourself on the cross.

Remind us that in our weakness, your power is made perfect, and that in our weakness you are merciful. Where our hope wains, Lord, love us back into hope again. 

Where there are two or more gathered in your name, you promise to be there. We offer you thanks for drawing each of us together here. We offer you thanks and praise for your presence and divine gifts here this morning. 

HERE, where you operate through ordinary means to work your miracles of salvation, restoration and renewal. From ordinary lips you proclaim your eternal life-giving word of the forgiveness of sins and your active royal reign.

As we step into your word, quiet whatever chattering and restlessness and worry we may have in our hearts and minds.

As we step into your word, have us listen to our savior for a while.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - July 25th

Almighty God,

We thank you for the opportunity we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for this place of refuge and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

Lord,

Whether we are filled with small doubts or, at times, utter hopelessness, cause us to hold fast in hope to Christ and His promises, that sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope in Christ, for the Lord promises, and He is faithful.

Where we are restless and anxious tuned in on ourselves instead of outward in love, speak your peace into us, and over us. Cling to us with your words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

In the midst of the busyness of our lives, prompt us to pause, to be still, to hear the voice of our Savior, to savor the gift of joy we receive in reconciliation with God on account of Christ Jesus.

In a world that is constantly rushing, have us know that your love is patient. Reach out your long arm of grace. A grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return.

A grace that loves us so much, that you took on flesh and entered creation as one of us, that you might save us.

Rest us in the Good News of the peace, hope, and unbounded joy and love we have in Christ.

All this we pray in Jesus’ Name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - July 18th

God of this day and of all days,

In a world which has so much to say and not much time for listening, you have drawn us here this morning to be still and to hear your voice. 

In a world that seems soaked in hate, but thirsty for love, pour out your word of love. Bind up the wounded and brokenhearted. In a world that seems heavy with anger, but light on forgiveness, pour out your word of forgiveness.

Bless and fortify, and send the peacekeepers. Speak through your church for the forgiveness and benefit and building up of all those whom, by your word, you created, made and formed.

Lord,

In a world that seems long on worry and fear, but short on hope, have us pause to reflect that you carry and deliver hope in the most unlikely ways and into the most undignified places. Turn us to hope in Christ. 

Hope in the creator of the universe, who entered into His creation not in glory, but in the filth of a stable. Hope in the King of kings, who came to us not in the purple robes of earthly royalty, but cloaked in the fragility of flesh. Hope in the God who does not remain far away, but who’s divine footprints marked the dusty roads of His creation.

Hope in the author of love, who knows pain and wipes away our tears. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and comforts the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who sees sin yet loves the sinner so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking, forgives, enlivens, and restores everyone who hears and believes.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 27th

Almighty, merciful, and saving God,

Grant us comfort in you. Grant us the comfort that whatever the age, and whatever our troubles, you have put your name on us. Your children are in your hands, the one true creating, redeeming, and sanctifying God. Grant us comfort in you and in the solid fact we are yours, held fast by your long arm of grace.  

Lord,

In a world that constantly drives and shapes us to seek satisfaction for our souls in everything and everywhere but you, turn us to you. By your Word, turn us to the cross so that by faith we might see and know that you are faithful even when we are unfaithful. Turn us to you in hope and faith in your promise that you know your plans for us, and they are good. Hope and faith in your promise that you are with us always, to the end of this age and into the kingdom to come. Hope and faith in your promise that your resurrection life is invading right here and right now this morning through your Word, and that soon you will make all things new.

In the midst of our struggles, our successes, our new adventures, be the Christ for us. Continue be the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path. Cause us to find peace in our unity in You, in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one light, one baptism, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came to be and through whom we exist.

Rest us in the good news that today and everyday you are working to refresh, to reconcile, and to restore your children and your creation.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 13th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. We thank you for the miracle of this church family, each and every one of us whom you’ve gathered by your Holy Spirit to receive your gifts this morning. Turn our hearts from entitlement to gratitude. Gratitude for the person and work of Jesus Christ, through whom, by his mercy and grace, we receive forgiveness, renewal, restoration, and reconciliation with you and with each other.

Lord,

By your word all things were created, each in its allotted space and time. You breathed life into us through your Spirit, and in the movement and sound of the wind we are reminded of your Spirit's continual presence. The whole of creation declares your glory, Lord. A symphony of sound and color surrounds us. Prompt us to pause in our busy day to day routines, to just be still, with our eyes and ears attuned to the work and blessings of your creative hand. 

King Jesus,

Where we are exhausted by the demands and obligations and struggles of this world, be our sabbath, our rest. Where we feel beat down or sputtering or empty, invade with your fulfilled promise that a bruised reed you will not break, a faintly burning wick you will not quench, and a hungry heart you fill with the bread of life. Where we are parched for joy, remind us that we are soaked in living water. Remind us that by your wounds we are healed, adopted into your perfect Sonship, never to be forsaken.

In the name of the living God, Jesus Christ, we pray,

AMEN.