We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service.

A PERSONAL PRAYER

Dear God,

Give me patience, and I want it right now! I find myself often feeling frustrated. I am frustrated when things don’t happen fast enough for me. I like a microwave world, where I can push a button and it happens right now. And I am frustrated when things don’t work out the way I want them to, when my plan for life doesn’t come to pass. I confess that sometimes; I am arrogant enough to believe I know exactly what YOU want to happen. I think I know what is best, not just for me, but for everyone else. Please forgive my sin of pride. And I confess that sometimes, I am either too afraid or too lazy to own my part in your purposes, and I just sit back and do nothing. Please forgive my sin of complacency.

God, I will trust you with every part of my life. I trust you with my marriage, my children and grandchildren, my parents and in-laws. I trust you with my friendships and my flock. I trust you with my ministry and career and my financial life. I trust you with my body and my health, with my mind, and most of all my soul. Show me how to relax and trust you more.

O God, inspire me to do the work you call me to do, and to do all of my part. Give me energy to rise early in the morning and cultivate the soil of hearts and relationships and culture and world. Motivate me to work until it is dark, spreading the seeds of your love. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might be a good and faithful servant. And then, when the evening comes, let me rest in peace, trusting you to bring the results. Hear my nighttime prayer, Psalm 131:

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,     

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,   

like a child quieted at its mother’s breast;     
like a child that is quieted is my soul.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord     

from this time forth and forevermore

Amen.

KEY VERSE FOR THE WEEK

He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.” Mark 4:26-27  Read the whole passage of Scripture for Sunday here:  Mark 4:26-32

QUESTIONS FOR CONVERSATION

What things have you tried to hang onto and control that you could not control? What keeps you from letting go and trusting God?

SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE

We have been talking for three weeks about St. Luke’s striving to be a church where all of us, and especially our children and youth, will develop a faith that will stick, a faith that lasts a lifetime. There are three principles we have lifted up:

·         We are an intergenerational family of faith, with multiple relationships across all ages.

·         We partner with parents in the work of faith formation, so that faith is talked about not just at church but at home and in the world.

·         We are “grace-based,” inviting one another into a living relationship with Jesus, rather than just imploring and teaching one another to be good people.

But at some point, we can’t do anything that will guarantee that children or youth or adults will become followers of Jesus and live as disciples. We do our part, and then we trust God. That is what we will talk about this week with our final sermon in the Yours, Mine, and Ours series, entitled The Wait.

And do not forget to put October 16 on your calendar for the grand opening of our facilities. It is going to be a marvelous Sunday.  Check out more information here. 

PRAYER CALENDAR

Sunday, October 2

Father in Heaven, you have blessed me with the gift of family. Help me to grow and develop these relationships on the foundation of your love. Bless the time I have with my family, and care for my loved ones when I am apart from them. Amen.

Monday, October 3

Gracious God, let me embrace your Word wholeheartedly, and give me the courage to fully submit to your power and authority. Let my obedience show the world your glory. Amen.

Tuesday, October 4

Heavenly Creator, open my eyes to see the beauty and the abundance of your creation. Guide me to be a faithful gardener and a loving caretaker of the earth. Fill me with your great love so that I may sow seeds that bear the fruit of the spirit. Amen.

Wednesday, October 5

Loving Father, grant me wisdom when I am faced with a hard decision. Give me rest when I am weary. Give me strength when I am weak. Heal me with your love when my heart is broken.  Grant me forgiveness when I sin. Encourage me when times are hard. Amen.   

Thursday, October 6

Lord, I want to grow spiritually. Keep me humble as I walk through my journey of faith, help me to honor you with my life, teach me how to pray sincerely, and give me the courage to boldly speak your name. Amen.

Friday, October 7

Lord, I choose to follow your ways today. Help me be stronger than my emotions, and let me overcome peer pressure. Protect me from myself and my human condition. Keep me from being distracted by worldly values. Keep my eyes focused on you. Show me how to embrace all things as divine opportunities instead of personal inconveniences. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Saturday, October 8

Lord, bless this new day with opportunities to help others come to know you. Guide my actions so that they may see your presence in my life. Guide my words to tell them about you. Place it upon my heart to love them so that they may feel your love and seek you. Amen.