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 guide the direction of ministry at Peace.
Ê That the Lord would help each disciple to be a faithful steward of the gift of life and faith.
Ê That the newly confirmed would give thanks for their faith.
Ê That each of us would gently tell about our hope in Jesus.
Ê That the outreach to people with disabilities would succeed.
Ê That the new officers of the District would be blessed with wisdom and skill to perform their duties.
Pray for all members and friends of Peace.
Pray for people according to their needs:
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
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Psalm of the Week: Psalm 136
From Luther’s Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount
The right way of praying has been adequately discussed above, and also elsewhere. Here we are discussing only the power of prayer and the motivation for it. The principal thing to do is, first of all, to look at the Word of God. It will teach you what you should believe from your heart, to make you certain that your faith, Gospel, and Christ are correct and that your station in life is pleasing to God. Soon you will see the devil opposing you, and you will sense all sorts of inadequacies, inwardly in your faith and outwardly in your station. The whole world will seem to be turning topsy-turvy and swarming with temptations. When you feel this way, be wise enough to force your heart to start praying immediately and to say: “Dear Lord, I have Thy Word, and I am in the station that pleases Thee. This much I know. Thou seest all my inadequacies, and I know no help except in Thee. Help Thou, therefore, because Thou hast commanded that we should ask, seek, and knock, and hast said that then we shall surely receive, find, and have what we want.” If you form this resolution and habit of confident prayer and you do not receive, come around and accuse me of lying to you. Though He may not give it to you that very instant, still He will give you enough so that your heart will receive comfort and strength until the time when He gives more abundantly (Eph. 3:20) than you could have hoped. This is another good thing about prayer. If you use it and practice it and thus ponder the Word of His promise, your heart keeps getting stronger and firmer in its confidence, and finally gets much more than it would have otherwise (Luther’s Works, Vol. 21: The Sermon on the Mount and the Magnificat).
Readings for the Week
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August 13 |
1 Sam 31:1–13 |
1 Cor 7:1–24 |
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August 14 |
2 Sam 1:1–27 |
1 Cor 7:25–40 |
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August 15 |
2 Sam 5:1–25 |
1 Cor 8:1–13 |
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August 16 |
2 Sam 6:1–19 |
1 Cor 9:1–23 |
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August 17 |
2 Sam 7:1–17 |
1 Cor 9:24—10:22 |
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August 18 |
2 Sam 7:18–29 |
1 Cor 10:23—11:16 |
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August 19 |
2 Sam 11:1–27 |
1 Cor 11:17–34 |
Looking Forward to Next Week: 11th Sunday after Pentecost
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Exodus 16:2–15 |
Psalm 145:10–21 |
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Ephesians 4:1–16 |
John 6:22–35 |