Oh God, we come into your presence this morning with thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips. We come as your children, loved and welcomed by a Holy, awesome God.
We give praise for your gift of salvation and grace, for the transforming work that you do in and through us. God, continue to shape your image in us.
On this Thanksgiving Sunday, we give you thanks for the simple things of life…. for the beauty of coloured leaves, the gift of clean water to drink, that breath of fresh air, for the gift of stars in the night sky. Thank you, God, for the gift of eyesight, the ability to hear music and the voices of loved ones. We praise you for family, for children and grandchildren, for friends and those we love. God, hear our prayers of personal thanks as we pause in your presence.
(Take a moment to pray for individuals that God brings to your mind)
God, we also give you thanks for this congregation, this body of believers that together comprise a part of the Body of Christ. What a privilege to be called by that name.
We pray today for those in this Body who are grieving…Lord bring comfort and peace through your presence. For those who are struggling with health issues, physical, emotional, or mental, God again we pray for your power to heal, to transform and to make new.
And God, where there is need, for food, for encouragement, or finances, give us the wisdom and grace to respond in love.
God, thank you for your work in and through our lives as individuals and through the ministry and presence of the church. Lord, give us together the wisdom, strength, and love to be the face and presence of Jesus in this community, to our neighbors, and in our places of work.
May this church, all who love and desire to serve you, stand up with courage, committed to follow you Jesus, committed to make a difference in our world.
God, as this church again walks a road of change, of transition, I would pray the words of the apostle Paul for each individual within this Body here.
“I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
May God’s will be done in and through you all!
Amen
Pastor Clare
Prayer Requests:
· Thank you God that you comfort the broken hearted, those who have experienced great loss. Holy Spirit, be present with all who are hurting and grieving, grant strength and peace, and the courage to move forward. Lord Jesus, we give thanks.
· Pray for wisdom for the leadership of our Christian Ed. program at all age groups as decisions are made concerning programming this Fall. May God’s will be done.
· We give praise and thanks to God for His hand on Pastor Kara over these weeks of sabbatical. Pray for His strength and peace to flow into and through her life as she returns to lead, instruct, and encourage all here at WMC. God, place a fresh vision of your call within her heart and mind. Father, fill her with your joy.
Households of Faith: Praise & Prayer
Pray for these families that God would bless and encourage them over this Thanksgiving weekend. God, draw then close to you and may they grow to know you better.
“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make know among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of His wonderful acts. Glory in His Holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Psalm 105: 1-3