Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 4th

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 in Christ 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 Him 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.

It’s in his mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - July 28th

King Jesus

You are the one who is Word made flesh, God with us, true light of true light, love personified. Hold to your promise that you are the one who will not let us go, the one who will not forsake us, no matter how far we run and no matter how far we might feel we are from your presence. Turn us and faith us to know that you are present and active in your proclaimed Word here this morning. Turn us and faith us to know and believe that, according to your unfathomable love, we cannot out sin the grace and forgiveness of the cross.

Convict us with the divine truth of your Law and free us through your unconditional Gospel promise that you are making each of us and all things new. Assure us and have us know that you are not sitting back and waiting around for us to make the grade. Take action through your Word, Lord, create and sustain our faith in you out of the nothing of our sin. For your love does not first discover what is pleasing to you. Instead, your love creates what is pleasing to you. Create in us a clean heart, O God. Hear our prayer, you who are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call on you. We call on you. Forgive us, renew us, enliven us. Make us new.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer- July 21st

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious day, yet another day when we are reminded that your mercies are new every morning. 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. Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest  in you, Lord. 

Rest us in place, here where you’ve planted us, living in the hour that is at hand. Quiet all of the anxieties, worries, fears, and doubts of this world that cloud our minds and hearts. Create in us a receiving heart turned to you. You who are present now, and you, who has something you will do, now, through the proclamation of your living and active Word. By your word shine your light, that it might shine through us into the darkness of this world.

Speak, Lord Jesus, and wash over each and every one of us with your compassion, with your love.  Keep us in your grip today and every day. Hold fast to our hearts with your words that though there is suffering in this life you have overcome the world. Rest us in your assurance that you know our struggles, having taken them as your own on the cross. Hold fast with your blood bought promise that in this groaning creation you are speaking and invading and making all things new and right. 

And rest us in hope. Because in You our salvation has come, is coming, and will come again. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - July 14th

Almighty, merciful God,

You are the God of light and love. In love, you’ve granted us the gift of walking in and sharing your light, not just in this place, but everywhere you lead us. By your Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning.

Lord,

Keep this church a place of rest and refuge. A place where you gather us, your children, to receive your gifts. Gifts of helpful guidance, grace and mercy, forgiveness and renewal. Free us from the lie that we have to, or that we can, earn your favor. Rest us in the truth that in mercy and grace, Christ has already done it for us.

King Jesus,

How often, when weary, do we sigh 'The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.' How often are our thoughts and hearts distracted….by temptation, by the voices of the world shouting everything but the Gospel, by the consequences and baggage of our own sinful struggles. By that baggage carried with us, rather than left at your feet. Draw us by your Word to be in your presence, to hear you speak rest into our hearts, “You are weary and heavy laden. But take my yoke, for it is easy and my burden is light.” 

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. Peace that says, “Rest. Do not be afraid. For I am with you.”

In your mighty name we pray, AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 30th

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 condemnation, but light on forgiveness, pour out your word of freeing forgiveness.

Bless and fortify, and send the peacekeepers, the Gospel speakers. 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 in hope to Christ. 

Hope in the author of love, who knows what it is to be abandoned and so enters into our lonely pain that we might be wrapped in His love, never to be alone. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and so enters into our sadness  to comfort the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who loves sinners so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking, forgives, restores and enlivens everyone who hears and believes. Open our ears to hear, cause us to believe, that we are forgiven and made new in Christ, and therefore, we are made free in Christ.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 16th

Lord, 

On this Father’s Day morning, we give special thanks for the men in our lives. And we remember those whom you’ve called to rest with you in paradise. We thank you for those, who with a fatherly spirit, guide us, shape us and love us. Those through whom you mark your path of justice and mercy, discipline and forgiveness, guidance and grace. For those of us gifted with the role of father, by blood or in spirit, turn us to our true primary calling. Our calling to be the mouthpiece of forgiveness in our homes and amongst our neighbors. Make us new, that we may be the voice of the loving God who forgives on account of the person and work of Christ and for His sake. Possess us with your Spirit that we might bear your image for a world that desperately needs Gospel rest.

Lord Jesus,

Where there are two or more gathered in your name, you promise to be there. We offer you thanks for your presence and divine gifts here this morning. HERE, where you operate through ordinary means to work your miracles of salvation and restoration. From ordinary lips you proclaim your eternal life-giving Word of the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of your active royal reign. From ordinary bread and wine, by your Word, we taste mercy, costly earned but freely given in your body and blood. Rest us in the truth that your fulfilled promise of restoration is real and present, right now in You. As we go about our days, rest us where our feet are planted, living and loving as you have re-created us to be in your image.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 9th

Almighty God,

You are the God of light and love. You’ve granted us the gift of walking in and sharing your light, not just in this place, but everywhere you lead us. By your Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning.

Keep this church a place of rest and refuge. A place where you gather us, to receive your gifts. Gifts of helpful guidance, gifts of grace and mercy, gifts of forgiveness, gifts of renewal.

Soothe our worried and distracted 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.

May we rest in Christ, & find peace in His presence, & hear Him say, “Do not be afraid. For I am with you.”

In the name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, we pray these things.  AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 2nd

Almighty, merciful, and saving God,

Grant us comfort in you. Grant us the comfort that wherever we find ourselves in this life, and whatever troubles and struggles we are walking through, you have put your name on us. We are marked and sealed with your name, 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 and the true sabbath rest found only in you. Turn us away from the world’s ways and our own ways, and grant us a contrite heart, for a contrite heart you will not despise. 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  by your Word and body and blood here this morning the resurrection life is invading right here and right now, and that soon you will make all things new.

In Jesus’ name we pray 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 26th

Gracious, Sovereign God, Lord of all nations,

On this Memorial Day weekend, we pause to thank you for those who have served in the armed forces of our country, risking their lives for our liberty, and especially for those who, across the centuries, have given their lives in service to our country. Sacrificing in the most costly way for the sake of others, for us.

We thank you for a day set apart for solemn remembrance as we consider the sacrifices of so many. You are the shield around us through the men and women who wear this nation’s uniform.

We pray today for the families and friends of those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Be with the countless friends, the tens of thousands of mothers and fathers, and surviving spouses and children in our midst. May they be comforted in their sadness and heartbreak. Hold their wounded hearts in your wounded hands that heal.

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.

Whether in fear or pride, we so often put our faith in other people, places, things, and institutions instead of you. Turn us to you and who you reveal yourself to fully be in Jesus Christ.

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. To plant us as oaks of your righteousness, through whom you bear the fruit of your light, grace, and compassion. 

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 darkness 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 condemn our neighbors as enemies. Cause us to walk in that freedom, bearing the Good News of your present and active royal reign.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 19th

Lord,

Today and everyday, fill us and enliven us with your Holy Spirit that we might rejoice in proclaiming the Gospel. Grant us joy in the truth that your Word of Good News is not just information, but the living power of the living God. 

“The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”.

Pour out your Spirit and 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 in the midst of daily triumphs. Peace in the midst of daily struggles. Peace that passes all understanding.

By the power of your Word, shatter the bondage of self in which we are chained. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Renew our hearts, Lord, so they might burn not with self interest but with love for our neighbors. Renew our hearts that they might bear the fruit of your Spirit, the good fruit that this world needs: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.

As we go about our day, have us know and walk in the assurance that your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To stir us, to correct us, to work through us, to comfort us, to teach us, to lead us. And ultimately, to show us the Son, that we may be set free in the Son.

All this we pray in the name of the One whose name is above all names, Jesus the Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 12th

Almighty God,

We thank you for bringing us here this morning, to receive your gifts. To receive renewal, restoration, forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Lord, 

On this Mother’s Day morning, we give special thanks for all the ladies in our lives. And we remember those whom you’ve called to rest with you in paradise. We thank you for our mothers, our wives, our aunts, our sisters, our sisters in Christ... through whom you love us and guide us. We thank you for these ladies, whom you wear like a mask and through whom you shine your light of grace. You so often work through the women around us to shine as a beacon when we’re in the midst of a storm. Their guidance and caring are a true reflection of your heart. We pray you continue to strengthen the women in our lives in the divine roles you’ve given them.

Lord

As we are gathered here together in you, remind us that your word is living and active. When you say “Let there be”, things happen. When the sun rises and sets, you are speaking. When you wash your creation in life giving rain, you are speaking. When a tree bears fruit, you are speaking. When a child is born, and a mother is made, you are speaking. 

When the discarded are salvaged, when the hurt are healed, when the broken are restored, when the sinful are forgiven, when the unbelieving believe, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. 

Have us hear your voice. Pour out your life giving Good News that we might find rest and be made new in you.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 28th

Almighty God,

We praise and thank you for this day. For your good and beautiful creation we see all around us. We thank you for all the blessings you bestow on us. May this truth be always on and in our hearts: that the God who breathed and spoke this world into being, in love, He created, made, and formed each and every one of us.

Lord,

In seasons of uncertainty, disruption, and discomfort, grant us comfort in you. Grant us the comfort that whatever the age, your children are in your hands, the One who is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. Grant us comfort in you and in your promise that we are yours, and you hold us in your hands. Hold fast to us, Lord, with your wounded hands that protect, guide, and heal.

King Jesus,

In a world obsessed with self, turn us to you that we might be turned outward in love and mercy toward our neighbors.

In a world that demands we cloak ourselves in outrage, make us quiet beacons of your grace.

In a world whose lifeblood, at times, seems to be lies and corruption, make us a mouthpiece of truth.

In a world that demands we take and consume, and turn our hearts and hands to give as you do.

Through your Word, pour out the mercy and hope of your Kingdom. Pour out your Word and free us from the bondage of self that we might walk in the light of the Lord for your purposes.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 21st

Almighty God,

You are the God of light and love. You’ve granted us the gift of sharing your light and love, not just in this place, but in our communities and around the world. You knit this family together. The gathering of this church is your work. 

Lord,

Make this church a place of refuge and complete renewal. Not just a place to simply recharge our batteries for getting back on the false treadmill of earning your favor. Rest us in the truth that Christ has already done it for us.

There are many among us experiencing the rough seas of this life. In the midst of the storm, by your Word, be the voice that calms the storm. Speak the promise and assurance of your resurrection life and love into our hearts. Be the God for us who hears our cries and answers with grace and mercy.

Have us rejoice in the Gospel. Grant us joy in the truth that the good news is not just information, but the living power of the living God. 

The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”.

Pour out your Spirit and pour on us and into us your peace. 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.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

AMEN..

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 14th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious morning. 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. Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest here, in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your Son. 

Lord,

This world needs your healing. We need your healing.

Let us see the world through your eyes. 

Lift the veil from our eyes, that we might see your path before us because 

we so easily get distracted and turned by the unceasing storm of voices all around us. Let us listen to your voice. Let us hear your word and be made new in your image. Let our lives bear not the markers of the world’s ways but the shape of the cross, dying to self, that the Gospel might spring forth from our hearts in service to others.

Where there is hatred in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us love; 

Where there is wrong in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us forgiveness; 

Where there is discord among us, speak into us and pour out of us harmony; 

Where we traffic in lies and error, speak into us and pour out of us truth; 

Where there is sadness, speak into us and pour out of us joy;

Where we are shaken by doubt, speak into us and pour out of us faith.

God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, speak into each one of us the fullness of restoration and re-creation in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name,

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 7th

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. You bless us by turning us to you. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son, our mediator and our mediation. 

Lord, 

The gathering of this church family is your work, and we thank you for the blessings you have gifted us. You shine to us through your word and your body and blood. And you shinethrough us, often when we don’t even realize it. By your Holy Spirit, continue to use us and the relationships that you build here and outside this room, to offer comfort found only in the Good News of your present and coming Kingdom. Through the hearing of your Word, cause us to love each other as you have loved us. Have us  lift each other up in prayer and encouragement. Continue to cause us to walk with each other, and when need be, to carry each other. May the power of your Word shatter the bondage that prevents us from pouring out compassion.

Open our ears and hearts that we may hear and know your voice. Have us just sit, and rest in your healing hands, as you make us new.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Easter Prayer - 2024

Lord,

We offer you thanks and praise this Easter morning, and we beseech you to remove the veil from our eyes, ears, and hearts. Remove the veil so we might see your resurrection life at work in our midst, and know that in you we have the assurance of our own resurrection. In this dawning of spring, in your beautiful creation we see all around us, have us see the reflection and foretaste of your new creation to come. Have us rejoice in the adventure of the resurrection life with friends and family through whom you walk with us, love us, guide us, and serve us. 

Almighty God, 

As we all wrestle with the doubts, frustrations and temptations, and the sin and suffering of this life, turn our hearts to your fulfilled promise in Christ, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” You make a way in the wilderness of this age and pour out rivers of grace and living water through your one and only son. Grace that is love that is gentle with a doubting heart. Grace that is love whose power is made perfect in our weakness. Grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return. Grace that is love that turns our sinful hearts toward restoration in your word of forgiveness.

King Jesus,

When we are shaken by the tribulations of our time, hold fast to us with your promise “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we are anxious, worried, and fearful in our sin, have us remember that in you there is no fear, because you have conquered sin, death, and the devil. We no longer have to fear the tomb because you have already been there. The tomb is empty

“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

I am

Jesus Christ the crucified

Jesus Christ the risen

Jesus Christ the living and reigning, never forsaking you, always helping you, always making you new.

AMEN.

Good Friday Prayer - 2024

O, Lord, you are our God, and you turn our hearts to praise your name. For you have done wonderful things. A plan, formed of old. A plan, faithful and sure. A plan for the salvation and restoration of your creation in the person and work of your son, Jesus Christ. Renew our hearts Lord, that we might share in and hold fast to the confession of the prophet Isaiah:

He will swallow up death forever.

The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

    we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the Lord, we trusted in him;

    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

King Jesus, 

We pause and gather to remember God’s fulfilled plan in your sacrificial love from the cross for all of creation….and for us.  A sacrificial love that willingly drank the full cup of God’s wrath in our stead. A sacrificial love that shined light into the heart of darkness. That lived truth through shouts of incrimination and lies. That brought fullness from such dreadful emptiness. That brought unity from complete abandonment. That revealed hope out of bloody devastation. That unleashed ultimate freedom by imprisonment on the cross. That brought us forgiveness instead of deserved punishment. A sacrificial love that brought life through the swallowing up of death itself.

He will swallow up death forever. It is finished. The Lord has spoken. It is finished indeed.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 24th

Almighty God,

In your amazing grace , 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. 

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 right here and right 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 not as prisoners of sin, but as prisoners of hope. Turn us to you in hope, Lord, as foretold by the prophet,

“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”. 

As we celebrate and reflect on your entry into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday, spark our hearts to shout along with the church eternal at your coming, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”,  “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 Servant King, the King who bore the wrath of God in our stead, that by His blood we are made full heirs of His Kingdom.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayers - March 17th

Almighty, merciful, and gracious God,

We thank you for yet another 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, what seems like hopelessness, cause us to hold fast to Christ and His promises, that sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope in Christ Jesus, for the Lord promises, and He is faithful.

Lord Jesus,

Where we are restless and anxious, turned 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 you.

In a world that is constantly rushing, have us know that your love is patient, is not easily angered, and, by grace, keeps no record of wrong. So 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 love we have in you.

All this we pray in your mighty,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 10th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious morning. 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. You bless us by drawing us to you.Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle the chatter of worry in our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your Son.

Calm our restlessness and anxiety and make us channels of your peace. Stoke the flame of your light in our hearts that despite us, your light might shine through us into the darkness around us. Heal us by your wounds, and make us vessels of love and compassion and your mouthpiece of forgiveness. 

Lord

As we enter into some time in your Word together, have us know that your word is living and active. When you say “Let there be…”, things happen. When the sun rises and sets, you are speaking. When a tree bears fruit, you are preaching. When a child is baptized and sealed with your name, you are proclaiming visible, tangible gospel. 

When a church is gathered, when the discarded are salvaged, when the hurting are healed, when the broken are restored, when the unrighteous are made righteous, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. Rest us in the truth that when your word goes out, it does not return to you empty, but accomplishes the purpose for which you send it. 

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN.