Prayer for Humility

Let the beauty of your light shine upon us, O Lord, transforming our lives from what we are to what we ought to be, uniting us in a new love, a new grace of service, and a new happiness of obedience.  Make us aware of those things in our lives which are separating us from your gracious love, for in our hearts we know that you are always with us, and if you seem distant it is only because we have turned our backs on your ever-presence!  Make us one with all your seekers and finders, that we may also be one with those who triumph over time and death by your grace.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

Hope For The Coming Kingdom

O Lord, who set before us the great hope that your Kjnhgdom is coming ohn earth, and has taught us to pray for its comeng:  Make us ever ready to thank you for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and work for that perfect day when your Will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.  In Christ's Name we pray.  Amen.

We Praise You, O God

God of the heavens and the earth, guide of our lives; We magnify you and praise you and give thanks to you for all the bountiful blessings of this present life , and for all the hopes of a better life to come.  May we always remember your goodness that our hearts may be full of joy and thankfulness always.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

Bear Good Fruit

O God who taught us not to live by bread alone but by every word that comes from you, we would praise you for Jesus Christ, your richest Miracle of heavenly grace.  In him we see the fruits of your saving righteousness and love.  Forgive us of our sins and make us generous in sharing our blessings with others.  Give each of us the grace to bear good fruirt for  your Kingdom.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  amen.

Let Our Hearts Sing!

O God of Love who has called us to come before you in prayer and thanksgiving, let our hearts sing forth your praise and our lives reflect your generous love for your children.  Give us reverent spirits and joyful hearts that we may magnify your Name in spirit and in truth.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

The Communion of Saints

This Sunday is the last Sunday in the Church Year, when many Evangelical Churches Celebrate the lives of their loved ones gone on to their eternal reward.  In remembrnce of these loved ones, let us join in this prayer:

O Lord of all the Universe, before whom stand the spirits of the living and the dead; we bless your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course and kept the faith, and who are now at rest in your Eternal Kingdom.  Grant us grace to follow their good example, that we with them may finally be partakers of your Kingdom as well.  Take now the veil from every heart, and unite us in one communion with all the saints on earth and the saints in heaven.  In Jesus Name we pray.  Amen.

Thanksgiving For The Present

Eternal God of the past, present and future, forgive us when we become so fearful of the future that we cannot enjoy today.  Help us to feel forgiven of our sins and failings of the past, which prevent us from living joyfully in the present.  When we gather today with our families, may our prayers of thanksgiving be for all the blessings we enjoy right now in the present.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

Thanksgiving

O most loving God, you have created us in your image, but we still need to learn how to become more faithful to that image.  We are thankful for all you have provided for us, your children, to help us learn your ways - the laws of creation, the teachings of your Word in the Bible, and especially your Son, Jesus the Christ, who not only most perfectly taught us your ways, but gave his life on the cross as an example of pure obedience to Your Love.  We are expecially thankful that you have instilled in every one of us an inate conscience through which your Holy Spirit can guide and correct us - if we are willing to listen whith our hearts.  For all your gifts, and Grace and Love, we give you most humble thanks.  In Jesus Name we pray.  Amen.

Praise and Glory Be To Our God!

Giver of every good and gracious gift and fountain of every blessing:   We praise you and give honor to your name for sustaining every living thing and guiding everthing according to your will.  Your faintfulness from generation to generation calles forth our praise and thanksgiving!  Heaven and earth are bathed in your splendor and you fill the life of each of your children with the gifts of yor Spirit.  For all your goodness and mercy, we give you our heartfelt thanks.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

Fountain of Life

O God, the fountain of life and the sun of our souls;  Thankfully we parise You for making it possible for us to commune with you at any time through prayer!  Accept our gratitude for your love, which was so great that you allowed your only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins that whoever belives in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  May you give us the power of soul to live our lives every day to His glory and to be about the upbuilding of Your eternal Kingdom.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

Light In The Darkness

Gracious and loving God, there are so many during this holiday season who are overwhelmed with worry and brokenness in their lives - that we ask for you, who are the Light of the world, to shine on them and bring them light in their darkness.  Reveal yourself to them as the Light which darkness cannot overcome!  Strengthen their hearts so they will not faint under the heavy burdens of their lives.  Let them know that in their distress you care for them and are with them to help them through to better days ahead.  Help them to fix their eyes on you, instead of the cares of this world.  We ask it in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Preserve Us From The Cares of Life

O God, the fountain of life; preserve us from the cares of this life, lest we become too much entangled in them; also from the many necessities of the body, lest we should be ensnared by pleasure; and from whatever is an obstacle to the soul, lest we should fall under the power of Sin.  Give us strength to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  amen.

For Social Justice

Almighty God, who created all humans in your own image: Grant us grace to fearlessly fight against and evil or oppression of our fellow humans.  May we use our freedom which you have given us, to help further justice among all peoples and nations, to the glory of your holy Name.  Amen.

Open Our Hearts To Your Redeeming Presence

Gracious God, make yourself known to us when we take time out of the busyness of this world and turn to you in prayer.  Grant us grace to block out all the concerns of our lives, and to concentrate only on your loving presence.  Comfort us with your Spirit; empower us with your Word and fill us with your loving presence.  May we not only barrage you with words about our desires, but pause in stillness to hear your word for us this day.  Make us attentive to your Word and transform us with your redeeming presence.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

For All In Authority

O God of history, grant health and wisdom to all that are in authority, especially the president and Congress of the United States, the Governors and Legislatures of Illinois and Missouri, and all our judges and magistrates.  Grant that they may promote peace and justice and equality in our nation, ruling with righteousness and according to your Will.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

Overcome Our Divisions

O Christ, in the midst of our dividsions and suspicions, we need your guiding Spirit which calls us to all be one in reconciling love toward each other.  Let your teachings on unity override all creeds and doctrines which divide; all forms and institutions which block justice; all prejudices and platforms which weaken our nation instead of keeping it as a light to all nations.  Work within our leaders so that we as a nation might again be about bearing good fruits of the Spirit.  To this end, bless our nation and all its leaders so they might work together and remember your word which cautions us:  "A house divided against itself shall not stand!"  Bless us in the years ahead with your guiding power and wisdom.  Amen.

Guide Our Nation

Loving God, ruler of all nations and guide for the destinies of us all; today is a very special day for our nation as we come together to elect our new leaders for the future of our nation - be with us to guide us that we might follow your guidance into the future.  We believe you have called our nation to be a light to all nations, and that you have guided us throughout our history to be your special people - continue to make us sensitive to your  leading.  Use us to glorify your name as we lead the world in following your will for us.  In Jesus' Name we offer this prayer.  Amen.

Comfort

God of all comfort, there is so much suffering in our world that we cannot fathom it all!  Millions are victims of earthquakes, hurricanes like Huricane Sandy, wars between nations and within nations, and those in poverty and sickness cry our for our help.  We cannot do it all without you powerful Spirit guiding us and encouraging us.  Lord, help us not to grow cold and indifferent to all those in need or to give up in despair because of the enormity of suffering!  And as we work for their relief, grant your spirit of comfort on them to uphold them and give them hope for a better tomorrow.  All things are possible in your sight, O Lord - help us to never forget !  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen.

More Love For God

O Lord God accept our humble thanks for your great mercy bestowed upon us.  We confess that we are not worthy of the least of all your mercies yet grant  we pray, that every fresn proof of your goodness may cause us to love you more and more, and make us to use our strength and all your gifts in doing your holy will more perfectly for the time to come.  We pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Give Us Generous Hearts

O Lord our God, who has taught us to love one another, give us grace, we pray, to fulfill this law of Christ.  Instill in our hearts the spirit of charity.  Make us centers of radiant good will.  Thus may we reach out in generous giving for the rerlief of victims of Huricane Sandy.  Make us channels of your saving grace.  In Christ Name we pray.  Amen.