Friends,
Below is the Prayer of the People from last Sunday written by Pete Sommerfeld.
Blessings,
Matt
Lord, as we bow we want to begin by thanking You that we do not have to evoke Your presence by speaking a phrase or an incantation, for You have never left, You have always been here. But, we confess that we frequently act as though You were not. So, with our hearts we acknowledge Your presence with us – always and in every circumstance of life. And for that, we thank You.
We also thank You, Lord, that like Your presence with us, You are sovereign -always have been, and always will be. That there is never a time when what faces us has caught You unaware, or is out of Your control. You who rule in the affairs of human beings and of nations, and of all things seen and unseen. You are certainly able to do whatever is necessary to accomplish Your will in all that concerns us.
What gives us confidence to trust in Your sovereignty is Your wisdom. You know Your plan, and You are working all things together to accomplish it. The problem, Lord, is that we don’t see as You do. Your eyes are on eternity, and ours – all too frequently – don’t go beyond the end of our noses. Lord, You know the end from the beginning, and You who created life knows how it is lived most fully – lived as You designed. You know what would best bring You the glory You deserve.
Lord, it is ridiculous to think that we who are finite can, in one sitting acknowledge and comprehend all of who You are, all the facets of Your character, Your being. We can spend the rest of our lives contemplating them, and never get to the bottom of them. There are too many for our minds to hold at one time. But, any time we try to do that, we must acknowledge at the root of all Your dealings with us Your motivation is love. You are love. In Your very character, the essence of who You are. We were called to worship this morning being reminded that Your love for us is higher than the heavens. Your banner over us is love. All Your thoughts toward us are for our welfare. At our core that is what we desire – to be loved. And You, the infinite creator god, do that most fully, most completely. How can we not thank You?
With all those thoughts in view, Lord, the first thing we are driven to do is give ourselves to You. Again. Flawed and broken as we are. We do this out of gratitude for how You have given Yourself to us in Jesus. As best as we know how at this point in time. We are Yours. Use us as You see fit, as You have designed, for Your kingdom work, not just on Sunday mornings, but in all that we do. In all our relationships. In our day to day dealings at work. As we contemplate a world around us that looks increasingly confusing and complex – and in some instances, out of control. We give ourselves to You. And, acknowledge how incredible it is that You, the infinite creator God of the universe, have chosen to accomplish Your purposes through creatures like us.
We also give our church to You. Flawed and broken as it is. Flawed and broken because it is made up of people who are flawed and broken. Use Intown as You see fit. As You have designed. Give those of us who call this congregation our home wisdom as we seek to do Your kingdom work, whatever that may be, however it may play out. Not just on Sunday mornings, moment by moment seven days of the week.
And, we will give You thanks for however You choose, in Your wise and loving nature, to deal with us. How You choose to use us in the days ahead, and for the rest of our lives. Trusting that our labor will not be in vain.
We pray these things gratefully, expectantly, because of Jesus, and in His name.
Amen.