Corporate Worship Prayers

9/5/21

Father God, 

Thank you for this day. Thank you for your goodness and  mercy. 

Thank you for creating us in your perfect image.  

Despite living with you in your creation. Despite having nothing  between us, God, we were not content. We had everything we  could have ever imagined yet we wanted more. And we chose  to do exactly what you forbid us to, and it created an  insurmountable divide between us that nothing we could do  would bridge.  

But God, in your great grace, you sent your Son Jesus to earth.  He lived a perfect life that we could not live. He died the death  that we were due because of our sin.  

That alone would have been a great story. But you didn’t stop  there. Because you had a perfect plan. And in that perfect plan  Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day and in that he  conquered our sin that put him in that tomb.  

That defeat of Satan, sin, and death restored us to you so that  we may live eternally with you forever. 

May we never grow tired of that gospel truth. It is only through  the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus by your grace, not our  own works that we are saved.  

In Jesus’ name, amen.

9/5/21

Father in Heaven, it is such a good gift of grace to be gathered as your people to celebrate the good name of Jesus Christ. To sing the gospel and hear the gospel and be reminded of your faithfulness to us. Father, these are such hard days and so many of us are facing struggles that just seem to be endless. We're experiencing health problems. Financial problems. Work problems. Struggles with family and friends. And every time it seems like we're beginning to see some daylight, something else comes along. It just feels like the ground is constantly shifting beneath our feet. And we can be so shaken by it all that we take our eyes off of Christ. We lose our sense of trust in the fact that he is the good shepherd. That he can shoulder our burdens. Father, forgive us for not trusting. Forgive us for taking our eyes off of Christ, our solid rock. And Spirit, we pray we would trust you. To trust the promises given to us in your word, the promises we are given in Christ Jesus. Lord, I pray that we can continue keep our eyes fixed on the reality that you are with us, always. That you know us deeply, you know our burdens, and you can carry them. Let us give them over to you and find our rest in the abiding love of Christ. It's in the wonderful name of Christ that we have gathered, and in his name we pray, Amen.

9/12/21

Father, we thank you for your faithfulness to us this morning. We
thank you for the freedom that we have to gather in your name to
celebrate you, and for your promise to meet with us as we do so.
Father, there is so much going on in our world today. Wars,
sickness, trials and pain surround us. The memories of the lives
lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 20 years ago,
weigh on our hearts. The weight of sin and its consequences in
this world is heavy, and at times difficult to bear. Lord, forgive us
for focusing on our circumstances and worldly pressures around
us. Forgive us for not looking to you in all things as you have
taught us to. For your Word says,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the
flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
As foundations we once thought secure have been shaken, we
are reminded of the illusion of security. And we are grateful for
the truth of the eternal security that is found in you alone, Lord.
Spirit, help us to focus our thoughts and our hearts on you.
Remove any distraction, confusion and discouragement from the
enemy from us, in the name of Jesus. As the sunflower directs
its gaze to your light and follows its course, Lord, so also fix our
eyes and hearts on you alone as we seek to reflect your holy light
in a world that is in need of the hope that only you offer. Thank
you for your faithfulness.
In your name we pray, amen.

9/19/21

Father, we gather here again this week bringing before you all the joys, challenges, wins, losses, hopes and heartbreaks that we experienced throughout our week. But we are a forgetful people, prone to wander, and more than likely we left this place last week and went about life, as if you weren't with us. Lord forgive us and give us hearts that understand not only are you with us but you have ordained each moment. Nothing escapes you, Lord, and if we believed this truth, we would not cling so tightly to this world. You have called us to a radical belief, Lord. You have told us to count the cost of following you and the cost is everything. We are terrified of this and if we are honest, we grieve at the thought of giving up our practical gods because we do not believe that you are better. Change us because we can not. It is impossible for us to trust you without your severe mercy working in our hearts, moment by moment. Day by day. Let us leave here today loving you more and following you more closely. You are certainly worthy of it. Amen

9/26/21

Father God, thank you for this day. Thank you for  bringing us together to gather in your name to worship  you. 

Lord, we are in awe of your greatness. We acknowledge our complete and total dependence on you, for you are  the only good in this world and all that we have comes  from you. 

As a people, we have sinned against you continually  since the fall. Time and time again, however, you provide  a way. 

That way is Jesus. When we were turning our backs on you, Jesus never did. He lived the perfect life we could  not. He died the death we deserve with every sin. And he  rose again, stating once and for all that for God’s people,  sin would not win. We could once again be viewed as  right with you to live and worship you forever. 

Thank you for grace that is beyond our human  understanding. May the light of your gospel truth  through the power of the Holy Spirit sanctify us to be  more like you each day. 

In Jesus’ name, amen. 

9/26/21

Father, you have always been good . . . You are good . . . and you always will be - good. Even when we doubt your goodness… even when we question what you are doing . . . even when things seem to be crashing down around us . . . even when our future seems uncertain . . . You. are. good. Lord, when things don’t seem to be going our way and we are angry or bitter about what has happened, or we are afraid of what tomorrow may hold, help us to recall the words of Isaiah where he writes:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Lord, we confess that we often doubt what you are doing in our lives and in the world. Please forgive us and help us to trust in your plan. Help us to always remember that you are working for the good of those who love you and are called by you. Give us a deeper understanding of your love for us. Help us to know the depths that you have gone to and the high cost that you have paid in order to save our souls and bring us into your glory. Lord, how we long to commune with you and to be held and comforted by you. Please satisfy our souls as we seek your face and your will for our lives. Thank You, Father. In your name we pray, amen.