There have been and continue to be many challenges to our lives these days and in the circumstances we are needing to navigate. Scripture has come to my mind that will inspire our prayer time for this week. It is these verses: “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:17) We have had to journey through completely unpredictable and uncertain situations. Many prayers have been offered up to God. We really have been praying continually. Many answers have come to our prayers. I want us to recognize these answers and to thank God. Gratitude will be the emphasis of this week’s prayer time together. As well as praying the prayer provided for today, Wednesday, June 17th at 1 pm, I encourage us all to find our own words to pray simple prayers of thanks to God. If I ask, “For what can you thank God”?, every one of us will have something for which to thank God. Our relationships with God and our faith in God grows stronger, as we are intentional about thanking God in all circumstances and looking for God in all circumstances.
God’s Grace as we join together to pray with thankfulness to our God, Pastor Lola
Thank You God for these several weeks of praying together. Thank You that prayer focuses our attention on You. Thank You that we have been repeatedly reminded how much we need You. Thank You that You never get tired of listening to our prayers. Thank You for how loved we can feel when we come to You in prayer. Thank You that when we have felt afraid, You have reassured us. Thank You that You have been protecting us and those we love and care about from the Corona virus. Thank You that You have provided courage for this uncharted path we have been travelling. Thank You that we have been getting to know our neighbours better. Thank You for all the ways that people have been extending kindness. Thank You that many people have come closer with You during this time. Thank You that although we could not come together in church, we could still be Your church. Thank You for all those who have worked and keep on working in a front line capacity. Thank You for sacrifices people have been willing to make to serve others. Thank you that families have spent so much time together and have come to appreciate each other in new ways. Thank You for a time of not feeling rushed. Thank You for the ways we have been able to keep in communication with each other. Thank you that we have been able to pray for each other. Thank You that You have increased our flexibility and resiliency in learning to wait and to do things differently. Thank You that as babies have been born and as people have passed, You still hold the miracles of birth and death in Your hands. Thank You for helping us to find ways to offer support and comfort when we have not been able to be with each other. Thank You for moving us beyond ourselves to think about others. Thank You that our understanding of You and of ourselves has expanded. Thank You that Your guidance through these circumstances gives us hope for the road ahead. Thank You that You have given us new insights into what really matters in our day to day living. Thank You that there is always more to pray about and more for which to thank You. Thank You that our hearts have been lifted, as we have chosen to spend this time in prayer thanking You. Thank You for the assurance that settles over us as we now thank You for the things You have been taking care of in each of our personal lives and in the lives of our families. We could not have faced these circumstances without You God and we thank You that we did not. We cannot face the circumstances to come without You God and we thank You that we will not. Thank You for being with us always. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.