Good Morning, God
Simon and Garfunkel (when they were Simon and Garfunkel) probably said it best: "Gee, but it's great to be back home. Home is where I want to be, I've been on the road so long my friends, and its the same old story. I've been slandered, lied to . . ." etc.
Lord, we thank you for the greatest majority of the time we feel "at home". Hopefully, we feel "at home" when we eat and sleep. Hopefully, we feel "at home" in the town or city or out in the country where we "hang our hats". Hopefully, we feel at home when the fall festivals take place where we live or when our high school bands play at contests, no matter where, or when our football teams take the field. Thank you, Lord, for all of our feelings of being at home.
Lord, there are many today who are or who feel homeless. Please be with them today, that they may know the warmth, safety and security of a place or person they can call home.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110928
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, September 28th
Good morning, God,
Thank goodness, God, that the last tiff between the young men and young women didn't result in headlines! Rather, it merely got four other friends involved, got these friends up early to go to the court house for no good purpose, and pointed out once again how much our young people need guidance from good, solid adult role models.
So, Lord, today we pray for our families - parents, children, young adults. We pray that men and women, before they even think of making babies and having children will seriously consider how they were raised and if they want to raise their own in the same way, for the odds are that is exactly what will happen. If not, then cause them to get direction and guidance before they bring a child into the world.
And, Lord, continue to give wisdom and strength to those who would befriend and aid and attempt to mentor these young people who so desperately need appropriate love and guidance.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank goodness, God, that the last tiff between the young men and young women didn't result in headlines! Rather, it merely got four other friends involved, got these friends up early to go to the court house for no good purpose, and pointed out once again how much our young people need guidance from good, solid adult role models.
So, Lord, today we pray for our families - parents, children, young adults. We pray that men and women, before they even think of making babies and having children will seriously consider how they were raised and if they want to raise their own in the same way, for the odds are that is exactly what will happen. If not, then cause them to get direction and guidance before they bring a child into the world.
And, Lord, continue to give wisdom and strength to those who would befriend and aid and attempt to mentor these young people who so desperately need appropriate love and guidance.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110926
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, September 26th
Good Morning, God
Lord, we really need your wisdom these days! Especially after all of the Sunday morning messages from our pulpits and our press, we especially need your wisdom to know what is truth and what is falsehood.
Your word asks this question: "Who is wise and understanding among you?" Your word also answers the question: Let the wise ones show themselves wise by their good life that their works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if we have both envy and selfish ambition in our hearts, we are not to be boastful and false to the truth . . . For when we are envious and have selfish ambition, we will also have disorder and wickedness of every kind.
But, Lord, your word also assures that the wisdom that comes from you is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without even a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. You even promise that "a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace."
Lord, who will be the peace-makers among us? You know - please reveal them to us.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, we really need your wisdom these days! Especially after all of the Sunday morning messages from our pulpits and our press, we especially need your wisdom to know what is truth and what is falsehood.
Your word asks this question: "Who is wise and understanding among you?" Your word also answers the question: Let the wise ones show themselves wise by their good life that their works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if we have both envy and selfish ambition in our hearts, we are not to be boastful and false to the truth . . . For when we are envious and have selfish ambition, we will also have disorder and wickedness of every kind.
But, Lord, your word also assures that the wisdom that comes from you is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without even a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. You even promise that "a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace."
Lord, who will be the peace-makers among us? You know - please reveal them to us.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110923
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, September 23rd
Good Morning, God
Lord, we don't understand why people are put together differently from each other, but in most cases, "Viva La Difference!" However, sometimes our hearts are touched, especially by children, when they appear to "not be like an average kid", and sometimes, Lord, we are less than kind toward these boys and girls.
Thankfully, Lord, you have gifted some folks with special, tender hearts that reach out in love toward these children. You give a special measure of understanding, patience and imagination. You enable these teachers and mentors to bring joy to these children despite whatever handicap these children have.
Lord, especially today, we want to give thanks for the T-O-P-Soccer program. The TOP Soccer program, the leaders and all the volunteers who are making it possible for people, especially children with mental and physical handicaps, to experience the joy of playing soccer - just like anybody else.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, we don't understand why people are put together differently from each other, but in most cases, "Viva La Difference!" However, sometimes our hearts are touched, especially by children, when they appear to "not be like an average kid", and sometimes, Lord, we are less than kind toward these boys and girls.
Thankfully, Lord, you have gifted some folks with special, tender hearts that reach out in love toward these children. You give a special measure of understanding, patience and imagination. You enable these teachers and mentors to bring joy to these children despite whatever handicap these children have.
Lord, especially today, we want to give thanks for the T-O-P-Soccer program. The TOP Soccer program, the leaders and all the volunteers who are making it possible for people, especially children with mental and physical handicaps, to experience the joy of playing soccer - just like anybody else.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110921
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wedesday, September 21st
Good Morning, God,
Lord, our national government and courts have made a decision as to whom can serve in our military. The decision is that as long as candidates for service are physically and mentally able to do the duties required, any man or woman can serve. This includes now all men and women regardless of their sexual orientation.
Lord, many have prayed for wisdom in this matter - and the perceived answers have been varied, but the major wisdom seems to say that this is okay.
So, Lord, we pray that this decision will be received by all with grace and understanding. We pray for the safety of each man and woman, no matter who they are, as they faithfully serve our country. We pray for their good camaraderie, friendship, and respect. And, Lord, we pray that what we have done and do as a nation will find favor in your sight, for we do strive to be "One nation Under God."
Lord, bless us as we seek to be this.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, our national government and courts have made a decision as to whom can serve in our military. The decision is that as long as candidates for service are physically and mentally able to do the duties required, any man or woman can serve. This includes now all men and women regardless of their sexual orientation.
Lord, many have prayed for wisdom in this matter - and the perceived answers have been varied, but the major wisdom seems to say that this is okay.
So, Lord, we pray that this decision will be received by all with grace and understanding. We pray for the safety of each man and woman, no matter who they are, as they faithfully serve our country. We pray for their good camaraderie, friendship, and respect. And, Lord, we pray that what we have done and do as a nation will find favor in your sight, for we do strive to be "One nation Under God."
Lord, bless us as we seek to be this.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110919
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, September 19th
Good Morning, God
It's amazing, Lord, how our daily routines can be interrupted by the cracks that happen in our lives. The headlines have been about a major crack in the major bridge that spans the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana. this crack has caused major problems for 89,000 vehicles a day - they all must find another way to get where they need to go! One thing for sure is that there will be lines of vehicles stretching for up to 9 miles in one direction and up to 3 miles in another direction, and it will take much more time. This is a major disruption to our lives, Lord! There is more concern about road rage; there is more concern about how to get in eight hours of work. There is concern about how to repair the bridge and how to do it as quickly as possible!
Lord, help us to think of alternate solutions when our lives are disrupted by cracks! May we not be so set in our ways that we can't flex and when we flex, may it not be angrily but patiently.
In Jesus name, Amen
It's amazing, Lord, how our daily routines can be interrupted by the cracks that happen in our lives. The headlines have been about a major crack in the major bridge that spans the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana. this crack has caused major problems for 89,000 vehicles a day - they all must find another way to get where they need to go! One thing for sure is that there will be lines of vehicles stretching for up to 9 miles in one direction and up to 3 miles in another direction, and it will take much more time. This is a major disruption to our lives, Lord! There is more concern about road rage; there is more concern about how to get in eight hours of work. There is concern about how to repair the bridge and how to do it as quickly as possible!
Lord, help us to think of alternate solutions when our lives are disrupted by cracks! May we not be so set in our ways that we can't flex and when we flex, may it not be angrily but patiently.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110916
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, September 16th
Good Morning, God
Lord, sometimes our lives feel like a tug-of-war. Back and forth, back and forth, on one side of the center line we tug or are tugged. What we would really like is to be able to just be peaceful on our side of life and have a pleasant existence. But, no, the tugs come.
Lord, the tugs come, usually because of how we prioritize our lives. We have work; we have families; we have church; we have our organizations, sports, habits, wants and desires. We have only twenty-four hours in our day, Lord, and we want to do it all! Can't we stay awake a little longer without getting tired or affecting our health? Can't we schedule our meetings so we can get to all of them? Can't we have an eighth day so we can have a Sabbath and rest? Can't we have just enough work but not too much for an eight-hour work day?
Lord, guide and direct our priorities for life and living this and each day.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, sometimes our lives feel like a tug-of-war. Back and forth, back and forth, on one side of the center line we tug or are tugged. What we would really like is to be able to just be peaceful on our side of life and have a pleasant existence. But, no, the tugs come.
Lord, the tugs come, usually because of how we prioritize our lives. We have work; we have families; we have church; we have our organizations, sports, habits, wants and desires. We have only twenty-four hours in our day, Lord, and we want to do it all! Can't we stay awake a little longer without getting tired or affecting our health? Can't we schedule our meetings so we can get to all of them? Can't we have an eighth day so we can have a Sabbath and rest? Can't we have just enough work but not too much for an eight-hour work day?
Lord, guide and direct our priorities for life and living this and each day.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110914
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, September 14th
Good Morning, God,
Lord, what must it feel like to be "fired upon" in one's own home town? Why must people worry about whether or not they are safe in their own front yards? Why must buildings and homes be destroyed after so much effort goes into their construction? Why can't people "just get along"?
There was a quote the other day, Lord, that a lot of what happens is due to the "will of an angry and frustrated people." This is what we have seen this "Arab Spring," with the uprising of folks in several countries. This is what we are currently seeing in Afghanistan. This is at least part of what al-Qaeda is all about. This is what motivates a lot of us around here to take actions that are not always pleasant or within the law: We get frustrated, then angry, then do things we will regret later.
Lord, great changes come when we channel our anger in directions that lead to peaceful resolutions. May we be peaceful in all we do today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, what must it feel like to be "fired upon" in one's own home town? Why must people worry about whether or not they are safe in their own front yards? Why must buildings and homes be destroyed after so much effort goes into their construction? Why can't people "just get along"?
There was a quote the other day, Lord, that a lot of what happens is due to the "will of an angry and frustrated people." This is what we have seen this "Arab Spring," with the uprising of folks in several countries. This is what we are currently seeing in Afghanistan. This is at least part of what al-Qaeda is all about. This is what motivates a lot of us around here to take actions that are not always pleasant or within the law: We get frustrated, then angry, then do things we will regret later.
Lord, great changes come when we channel our anger in directions that lead to peaceful resolutions. May we be peaceful in all we do today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110912
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, September 12th
Good morning, God,
It is a new day to make headlines; thank you! Many are based on what has happened, Lord. Many of the headlines are sensationalized to get our attention. Many of them pull at our heartstrings. Many of them talk to us of things to come.
Lord, what if the headlines we make today are all accurate accounts of what our future holds? What if we could have the insight and wisdom to know what tomorrow holds and put this knowledge into headline form for all to hear and see, and could and would act on the revealed future accordingly? What if, Lord?
We do already know some of your headlines, Lord. You say that rain falls on both the just and the unjust. You say that each of us will face a judgment day. You say that some of us will never receive your headlines, some of us will receive them and forget them, some of us will receive them but be overwhelmed by everything else we have going on, and that some of us will receive your headlines, take action on them, and be blessed by them.
Lord, may we always choose to heed your headlines!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
It is a new day to make headlines; thank you! Many are based on what has happened, Lord. Many of the headlines are sensationalized to get our attention. Many of them pull at our heartstrings. Many of them talk to us of things to come.
Lord, what if the headlines we make today are all accurate accounts of what our future holds? What if we could have the insight and wisdom to know what tomorrow holds and put this knowledge into headline form for all to hear and see, and could and would act on the revealed future accordingly? What if, Lord?
We do already know some of your headlines, Lord. You say that rain falls on both the just and the unjust. You say that each of us will face a judgment day. You say that some of us will never receive your headlines, some of us will receive them and forget them, some of us will receive them but be overwhelmed by everything else we have going on, and that some of us will receive your headlines, take action on them, and be blessed by them.
Lord, may we always choose to heed your headlines!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110909
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, September 9th
Good morning, God.
Lord, we have a prayerful patriotic song that asks:
While the storm clouds gather, far across the sea,
Let us pledge allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home!
Yes, Lord, we do love this country which we call 'home'. We do ask that you bless us, but not so we can be better than, greater than, all the others, but so we can thoroughly enjoy the richness, the beauty, the bounty, and the blessings you have created here in this place.
In fact, Lord, you call us, not to be so prideful in our country that we become braggadocios, but that we be so appreciative of all our blessings that we are humbled, that we are prayerful, that we are always seeking your face and turning from evil, so that we will always know your blessings.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, we have a prayerful patriotic song that asks:
While the storm clouds gather, far across the sea,
Let us pledge allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:
God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home!
Yes, Lord, we do love this country which we call 'home'. We do ask that you bless us, but not so we can be better than, greater than, all the others, but so we can thoroughly enjoy the richness, the beauty, the bounty, and the blessings you have created here in this place.
In fact, Lord, you call us, not to be so prideful in our country that we become braggadocios, but that we be so appreciative of all our blessings that we are humbled, that we are prayerful, that we are always seeking your face and turning from evil, so that we will always know your blessings.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110907
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, September 7th
Good morning, God,
The headlines this week have been and will be about this weekend coming up. It is the tenth-year anniversary of the attack on our country and our way of life by the Al Qaeda regime.
Human emotions such as jealousy, anger, and rage went into the hijacking of the airplanes and the targeting of our buildings and people in them. However, Lord, a firm belief in their religion also went into what these relatively few people did. Since then, many more of "them" and "us" have died.
Lord God, over the centuries, many actions have been done in the name of one particular religion or another. And, we need to ask for forgiveness for actions in all of them.
But one thing we who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord know is, if we were to love one another as you have loved us by giving us your own Son for our faults, we and our neighbors would get along better, and this world would be a much better place. Let us prayerfully consider this, especially this week, Lord.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines this week have been and will be about this weekend coming up. It is the tenth-year anniversary of the attack on our country and our way of life by the Al Qaeda regime.
Human emotions such as jealousy, anger, and rage went into the hijacking of the airplanes and the targeting of our buildings and people in them. However, Lord, a firm belief in their religion also went into what these relatively few people did. Since then, many more of "them" and "us" have died.
Lord God, over the centuries, many actions have been done in the name of one particular religion or another. And, we need to ask for forgiveness for actions in all of them.
But one thing we who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord know is, if we were to love one another as you have loved us by giving us your own Son for our faults, we and our neighbors would get along better, and this world would be a much better place. Let us prayerfully consider this, especially this week, Lord.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110905
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, September 5th
Good Morning, God
The headlines proclaim today "Labor Day" and we celebrate labor by taking the day off from it! Well, thank you, Lord, for those who make the rules of holidays that our patterns of life can be different today. May we make the best use of this time to relax by spending the day with family and friends, by taking life a little easier, by doing something fun, by simply sitting and enjoying your world, for this is a beautiful time of the year. We also give thanks this day for any ability and opportunity we have to work, whether it is in or around our homes, whether it is at a paying job, or whether it is at a volunteer job that pays with heartfelt gratitude and satisfaction.
Thank you also, Lord, for your promise of blessing: Come Labor on. No time for rest, till glows the western sky, til the long shadows o'er our pathway lie, And a glad sound comes with the setting sun. "Well done, well done!"
In Jesus name, Amen
The headlines proclaim today "Labor Day" and we celebrate labor by taking the day off from it! Well, thank you, Lord, for those who make the rules of holidays that our patterns of life can be different today. May we make the best use of this time to relax by spending the day with family and friends, by taking life a little easier, by doing something fun, by simply sitting and enjoying your world, for this is a beautiful time of the year. We also give thanks this day for any ability and opportunity we have to work, whether it is in or around our homes, whether it is at a paying job, or whether it is at a volunteer job that pays with heartfelt gratitude and satisfaction.
Thank you also, Lord, for your promise of blessing: Come Labor on. No time for rest, till glows the western sky, til the long shadows o'er our pathway lie, And a glad sound comes with the setting sun. "Well done, well done!"
In Jesus name, Amen
20110902
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, September 2nd
Good Morning, God
There is a point being made in the headlines that we, the people, want and need "government" but do not want the "politics". Basically, this is interpreted to mean that we want, even expect, the government to provide services that keep us safe - a military, fire and police protection, keep us fed - an agricultural system that protects our food, and a financial system that keeps us solvent and that enables us to purchase the things we need to live, work and play, to enjoy life.
It is also said that we don't want the wrangling, the deal-making, the posturing, the debates, the filibusters that we have with "politics".
Well, Lord, when we have the system we have, a system that prides itself that is is based on checks and balances, there really isn't any way around "politics" - unless one side or the other abdicates its responsibilities.
"Nough 'bout politics and government. Thank you, Lord, that you alone are in charge and that your governance isn't open to debate!
In Jesus name, Amen
There is a point being made in the headlines that we, the people, want and need "government" but do not want the "politics". Basically, this is interpreted to mean that we want, even expect, the government to provide services that keep us safe - a military, fire and police protection, keep us fed - an agricultural system that protects our food, and a financial system that keeps us solvent and that enables us to purchase the things we need to live, work and play, to enjoy life.
It is also said that we don't want the wrangling, the deal-making, the posturing, the debates, the filibusters that we have with "politics".
Well, Lord, when we have the system we have, a system that prides itself that is is based on checks and balances, there really isn't any way around "politics" - unless one side or the other abdicates its responsibilities.
"Nough 'bout politics and government. Thank you, Lord, that you alone are in charge and that your governance isn't open to debate!
In Jesus name, Amen
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