Courageous Prayers

Dear Lord, on a day when many celebrate love,I pray for the courage  to love. I know that love is not for the faint of heart, and yet in the face of life's challenges, my heart often faints! Build up my ability to love not just in feeling, but in action, and to use that love to temper both my fear in facing difficulties, and my shying away from responsibility, responsibilities often necessary to get back on my feet and back in balance with you, myself, and others. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Dear Lord of Heaven and Earth, and the glorious cosmos that surrounds us all: Come afresh into my soul this day; chase out the fears that lurk there, and fill the "clean house" with your Holy Spirit, the "Spirit of Courage!" For we know that it was women and men moved  by your Spirit who spoke out against the principalities and powers, standing up for the oppressed and standing with those who were being persecuted. It was your Spirit of Courage that moved Peter--a person who suffered from "foot in mouth" disease--to speak an eloquent message to a throng, most of whom heeded the call to follow Jesus because of his courageous, powerful words. Forgive us, Lord, for believing that if our courage is not something we  create or inherently possess, that we have no right to ask you for an assist! Lord, may your grace be the grease of our courage, and the power in our pronouncement! In Jesus' name, Amen.                                                          

Lord of love and Creator of life, we often fear the unknown.  Hear the quivering of our voices as we cry out to you.  In the unknowns of our short lives, we find ourselves unable to shake off the anxieties of this life.  Give us the strength, the wisdom, and the fortitude to accept your infinitude within finiteness of our lives.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.   - Pastor Chad

  God of love and mercy, we are sinners lost in our own ignorance and self-importance. Forgive us and teach us the truth of love and courage. Lead us into the reality of your embrace. Amen. - Pastor Chad

Most gracious and loving God, there are times when I feel quite courageous, and yet there are other times when I feel like that small child that gets separated from its parents in a crowded market. My parents told me that if this ever happens, I should look for the helpers and tell them I am lost. Lord, through the prompting of your Holy Spirit, remind me, when my courage is waning, to turn to You, my Helper, that you may help me find my way, and to lean on your courage until I again find my way and rediscover my own courage. In the name of my Helper, my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 Lord, nineteen years ago this day you gave me courage to push new life into the world, and my beautiful daughter was born.  My labor song was my life is in you Lord, my strength is in you Lord, my hope is in you Lord, in you, in you.  Renew my strength and hope today. Help me labor fiercely and push fearlessly for new life, new justice, new peace to emerge for all your children in all the world, trusting and following the contractions of your Spirit.  Amen.  -- Pastor Karen Slusser