Congregation at prayer for the 4th Sunday of Easter

The Congregation at Prayer

Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7, God’s Word)

Congregation Prayer Topics

Pray for the ministry of Peace Lutheran Church:

Ê      That the LORD would help each disciple to be a faithful steward of the gift of life and faith.

Ê      That the Holy Spirit would give faith to our catechumens.

Ê      That each of us would boldly give testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Ê      That the outreach to people with disabilities would succeed.

Ê      That many people would come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Ê      That Pastor Palmer and the missionaries to the deaf people of Ghana would be blessed with success.

Pray for people according to their needs:

Ê      For peace in the nations of the world

Ê      For Pastor Palmer and the deaf ministry in Ghana

Ê      For protection of the men and women in the military:

Ê      For those who mourn loved ones

Ê      For those who need the LORD’s healing or consolation:

 Verse of the Week

John 10:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Psalm of the Week:             Psalm 23

The antichrist and false teachings do cause trouble in the church, however, we are comforted that the Good Shepherd’s voice from Holy Scripture gathers and protects the flock, the Church.

From the Augsburg Confession

[VII. Concerning the Church]

It is also taught that at all times there must be and remain one holy, Christian church. It is the assembly of all believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the holy sacraments are administered according to the gospel.

For this is enough for the true unity of the Christian church that there the gospel is preached harmoniously according to a pure understanding and the sacraments are administered in conformity with the divine Word. It is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian church that uniform ceremonies, instituted by human beings, be observed everywhere. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:4–5: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

[VIII. What Is the Church?] 

Likewise, although the Christian church is, properly speaking, nothing else than the assembly of all believers and saints, yet because in this life many false Christians, hypocrites, and even public sinners remain among the righteous, the sacraments—even though administered by unrighteous priests—are efficacious all the same.  For as Christ himself indicates Matt. 23:2–3: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. . . .”

Condemned, therefore, are the Donatists and all others who hold a different view.

Readings for the 4^th Week of Easter

Looking Forward to Next Week:  5^th Sunday of Easter