by Tina Korte
Prayer at home #10
Dear God, Lord of the Universe, Teach me how to pray in the good and fruitful times and the hard and devastating times.
I hear the birds singing. I see the sunrise and that perfect pink zinnia growing in the pot on my patio. In the morning after last night’s needed rain, I smell the clean fresh air on the lawn. And that first taste of coffee in my mug goes down with an “ahhhh”. For all gifts, thank you. It’s your way of saying daily, “I love you”.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
Prayer at home #9
A little conversation with God…..
“O.K. God, here’s the deal — I mess up a little now and then… O.K. a Big Bunch!!!
Now, wait a minute, hold on! You forgive me, remember?
Yes, I got it. It’s because of the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus died for the big and little messes I get involved in. So I am forgiven. Case closed.
Oh? There’s more? I see, now I forgive others… even the rapists and murderers? You’re not talking about that lady at church that got in my face, though! She was outrageous, she offended me!
I see, hmmm…
Thanks; I think I’m really going to need your help.”
Amen.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
“The Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13
Prayer at home #8
Lord, isn’t one painful situation in our day enough? First the Covid-19 pandemic and most recently the riots around police brutality and racism. Spending three months in lock down away from loving community and to re-emerge into a world of pure anger and hatred for members of our communities past and present, is mind and heart wrenching.
Father, why do you allow such injustice to exist and grow? And why do you make us look at it? (Hab. 1:2)
Holy Spirit, we were taught in Sunday school that “God is just” (Ps. 89:14). As we grew in our belief and knowledge of scripture, the apostle Paul taught us “The righteous shall live by their faith.” Remember, we know we do not deserve to be, but we are a part of that “righteous” bunch.
Jesus, how can we live by love and “faith” that enlivens and does not encourage fear, anger and rage but brings justice in this world we’ve inherited?
Continue to teach us and thank you for the lessons of a lifetime. Help us find peace that goes beyond these circumstances. And give us purpose to spend more time looking, praying, breathing, crying and rejoicing for what may lay ahead. The hope we have is placed in you.
Amen.
We join Habbakkuk, chapter 3: “Oh, Lord, I have heard of your fame and I stand in awe of your deeds. Repeat them in our own time, Lord; in our own time make it known, in wrath remember mercy.”
Prayer at home #7
Dear Father,
At a standstill for two and a half months surviving in our homes, you have been with us. Thank you!
Now, at the simple prospect of re-entering life as we knew it, we find ourselves struggling again. Stick with us and show us grace.
Lord, We continue to grow in understanding of just how fragile normal breathing can be. It is in the life of the Church that we are meant to Thrive. Be present, be near, BE, for us as we travel these delicate waters of stepping out. Give us courage, give us patience, give us hearts for those who anguish still, in old and new fears. Give us sound minds for what is still to come. Above all protect us. And let us never forget that our God is “all in all.”
Amen.
“All things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.” I Corinthians 15:28
Prayer at home #6
Lord, another day.
Here I am again… where will this day take me?These days don’t take me far from home physically. You have given me precious time, unheard of before this pandemic. But in my heart, my soul, you have called me to “come away” with you. (SS 2:10) And so we have gone many places together.
You and I have traveled in and out of my life laughing, crying, finding forgiveness and healing. I can’t believe how shallow my life in you has been up until now. (II Pet 3:18)
Father, hold me and mine, friends and neighbors, especially my OSLC family and the world, in your arms and never ever let us give our time again to senseless nonsense. Push us to be faithful agents of your boundless love!
Thank you for your faithfulness in our inner needs.
Amen.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
(“The Heavenly Vision”, also known as “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, is a hymn written by Helen Howarth Lemmel.)
Prayer at home #5
Oh, God… when will we get back to normal?
The church building was shuttered… but you weren’t; Easter happened just as you promised. The light of Christ is everywhere. Thank you.Is this how the disciples felt on the day after the Resurrection? Wondering and asking, what now? What a glorious sight it must have been! Jesus dead. Wait a minute, He is alive!! Jesus is back to stay. Thank you, God.
Jesus alive, is this to be our new normal?
Normal is…
Jesus living within me.
The Holy Spirit is available 24/7.
The shadow of death has been removed.Thank you Jesus. Please help me, those of us here at OSLC and the Christians around the world to embrace, acknowledge and live in the newness of the precious life of Jesus.
Amen.
Prayer at home #4
Who are you Jesus?
In scripture, we find many names attributed to Jesus. Which designation is your regular or favorite one to use as you are praying? Here are some of the most common ones: Lord, Saviour , Teacher, Friend. Jesus titles himself as Life and Resurrection.
As we approach a most unusual situation, Palm Sunday and Easter with non-church services in our homes and not in our church building together, let’s use this opportunity to pray always and all ways. Take a different approach and use these precious names in His presence, and have dialogue with Him. Begin by drawing in a deep breath….
Dear Lord, I’ve put you in charge of my life and this world. You are here as Saviour to me while struggling through trials at this present time. I need your help in grasping what it means to be saved at this time. Does your help reach this virus and beyond?
Jesus, you have been my teacher and I have been your pupil. As we struggle to stay afloat, instruct me again. There is so much yet to learn and to do.
Holy Spirit, my friend, guide me in the relationships I have at this moment in time and those I will have in the future. Make room in my heart for their suffering, brokenness or their need for my forgiveness and love.
Jesus, you tell us you are Life, hold me as you pour your Life into me. You are The ‘Resurrection’, born again with life enhanced by death.
What needs to die in me for Easter to be born again in me?
We are your Easter people!
Lord Jesus, continue to bless me, my family and the church family of OSLC. I pray we may experience each or your precious titles individually and corporately today and in the days to come.
Amen.
SCRIPTURES — Lord; Acts 5:21 Saviour; Luke 2:11 Teacher; John 13:13 Friend; Luke 5:20 Life; John 11:25 Resurrection; John 11:25 Amen; Revelations 3:14
Prayer at home #3
God, it is your joy to heal and to restore those whom you love. Come among us now to bandage our wounds those from the past and any fresh ones. Spread freely your love and grace among us.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Deuteronomy 32:39 Psalms 147:2-3
Prayer at home #2
In reading Matthew 8, you will find that Jesus “chooses” to heal and comfort us. And in times of “terrible stress”, he is always available. Our faith relies on the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in these topsy-turvy times. In this “windstorm” surrounding us today, all we need to do is ask.
Slowly take a deep breath and slowly let it out.
Oh, Lord, our life as we’ve known it is changing. We are struggling as we lose control of so much. Jesus, you are in the rescuing business. And when the big storms come, you are not caught off guard. You know just how to calm the situation, knowing each of us intimately. Bring peace out of this chaos. Instill the Hope promised on the cross in our minds and bodies. Teach us to:
Turn our eyes and hearts toward your love.
Take the actions needed to bless and care for your world.
Rest in your Holy strength and confidence for as long as it takes.In the name of Jesus, send us your mysterious peace.
Amen.
Prayer at home #1
Scriptures to read before prayer:
- Psalm 23 (Try reading it in different versions of the bible to find the one you are most comfortable with)
- John 14:27
- Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11
Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale…
Lord, Jesus…. This is a time in our lives we need you.
Daily life as we know it has changed.
Having our church to anchor and be available to us
has become difficult. We are in uncharted waters.We know that the building isn’t the church. We are.
As we move about this week, stand beside us.
Help us to remember all the words you’ve shared with us…
“I love you”; “I will never leave you”; “Be still and know that I am God.”Bring your peace into my home.
Watch over in love all of OSLC; pastors, members, kids, friends and neighbors.
We ask this in the name of your beloved son, Jesus.Amen.