Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 21st

Almighty God,

You are the God of light and love. You’ve granted us the gift of sharing your light and love, not just in this place, but in our communities and around the world. You knit this family together. The gathering of this church is your work. 

Lord,

Make this church a place of refuge and complete renewal. Not just a place to simply recharge our batteries for getting back on the false treadmill of earning your favor. Rest us in the truth that Christ has already done it for us.

There are many among us experiencing the rough seas of this life. In the midst of the storm, by your Word, be the voice that calms the storm. Speak the promise and assurance of your resurrection life and love into our hearts. Be the God for us who hears our cries and answers with grace and mercy.

Have us rejoice in the Gospel. Grant us joy in the truth that the good news is not just information, but the living power of the living God. 

The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”.

Pour out your Spirit and pour on us and into us your peace. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace that passes all understanding.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

AMEN..

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 14th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious morning. In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest here, in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your Son. 

Lord,

This world needs your healing. We need your healing.

Let us see the world through your eyes. 

Lift the veil from our eyes, that we might see your path before us because 

we so easily get distracted and turned by the unceasing storm of voices all around us. Let us listen to your voice. Let us hear your word and be made new in your image. Let our lives bear not the markers of the world’s ways but the shape of the cross, dying to self, that the Gospel might spring forth from our hearts in service to others.

Where there is hatred in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us love; 

Where there is wrong in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us forgiveness; 

Where there is discord among us, speak into us and pour out of us harmony; 

Where we traffic in lies and error, speak into us and pour out of us truth; 

Where there is sadness, speak into us and pour out of us joy;

Where we are shaken by doubt, speak into us and pour out of us faith.

God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, speak into each one of us the fullness of restoration and re-creation in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name,

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 7th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by turning us to you. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son, our mediator and our mediation. 

Lord, 

The gathering of this church family is your work, and we thank you for the blessings you have gifted us. You shine to us through your word and your body and blood. And you shinethrough us, often when we don’t even realize it. By your Holy Spirit, continue to use us and the relationships that you build here and outside this room, to offer comfort found only in the Good News of your present and coming Kingdom. Through the hearing of your Word, cause us to love each other as you have loved us. Have us  lift each other up in prayer and encouragement. Continue to cause us to walk with each other, and when need be, to carry each other. May the power of your Word shatter the bondage that prevents us from pouring out compassion.

Open our ears and hearts that we may hear and know your voice. Have us just sit, and rest in your healing hands, as you make us new.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Easter Prayer - 2024

Lord,

We offer you thanks and praise this Easter morning, and we beseech you to remove the veil from our eyes, ears, and hearts. Remove the veil so we might see your resurrection life at work in our midst, and know that in you we have the assurance of our own resurrection. In this dawning of spring, in your beautiful creation we see all around us, have us see the reflection and foretaste of your new creation to come. Have us rejoice in the adventure of the resurrection life with friends and family through whom you walk with us, love us, guide us, and serve us. 

Almighty God, 

As we all wrestle with the doubts, frustrations and temptations, and the sin and suffering of this life, turn our hearts to your fulfilled promise in Christ, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” You make a way in the wilderness of this age and pour out rivers of grace and living water through your one and only son. Grace that is love that is gentle with a doubting heart. Grace that is love whose power is made perfect in our weakness. Grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return. Grace that is love that turns our sinful hearts toward restoration in your word of forgiveness.

King Jesus,

When we are shaken by the tribulations of our time, hold fast to us with your promise “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When we are anxious, worried, and fearful in our sin, have us remember that in you there is no fear, because you have conquered sin, death, and the devil. We no longer have to fear the tomb because you have already been there. The tomb is empty

“Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

I am

Jesus Christ the crucified

Jesus Christ the risen

Jesus Christ the living and reigning, never forsaking you, always helping you, always making you new.

AMEN.

Good Friday Prayer - 2024

O, Lord, you are our God, and you turn our hearts to praise your name. For you have done wonderful things. A plan, formed of old. A plan, faithful and sure. A plan for the salvation and restoration of your creation in the person and work of your son, Jesus Christ. Renew our hearts Lord, that we might share in and hold fast to the confession of the prophet Isaiah:

He will swallow up death forever.

The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God;

    we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the Lord, we trusted in him;

    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

King Jesus, 

We pause and gather to remember God’s fulfilled plan in your sacrificial love from the cross for all of creation….and for us.  A sacrificial love that willingly drank the full cup of God’s wrath in our stead. A sacrificial love that shined light into the heart of darkness. That lived truth through shouts of incrimination and lies. That brought fullness from such dreadful emptiness. That brought unity from complete abandonment. That revealed hope out of bloody devastation. That unleashed ultimate freedom by imprisonment on the cross. That brought us forgiveness instead of deserved punishment. A sacrificial love that brought life through the swallowing up of death itself.

He will swallow up death forever. It is finished. The Lord has spoken. It is finished indeed.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 24th

Almighty God,

In your amazing grace , and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by calling and drawing us to you. 

King Jesus,

In our daily struggle with our own sin, the darkness in this world can make it seem like there is no hope. In the midst of our struggles, comfort us with the truth that you are active right here and right now through your Word and your body and blood. Comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to help us, and to carry us in hope.Turn us to you not as prisoners of sin, but as prisoners of hope. Turn us to you in hope, Lord, as foretold by the prophet,

“Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. 

As we celebrate and reflect on your entry into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday, spark our hearts to shout along with the church eternal at your coming, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”,  “Hosanna!”, “Save us!” Remind us that when we shout “Hosanna!” it is out of our need for salvation, but also, in faith, that in you we are already saved. Saved from the clutches of sin, death, and the devil. For the King we welcome is the Servant King, the King who bore the wrath of God in our stead, that by His blood we are made full heirs of His Kingdom.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayers - March 17th

Almighty, merciful, and gracious God,

We thank you for yet another opportunity we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for this place of refuge and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

Lord,

Whether we are filled with small doubts or, at times, what seems like hopelessness, cause us to hold fast to Christ and His promises, that sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope in Christ Jesus, for the Lord promises, and He is faithful.

Lord Jesus,

Where we are restless and anxious, turned in on ourselves instead of outward in love, speak your peace into us, and over us. Cling to us with your words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

In the midst of the busyness of our lives, prompt us to pause, to be still, to hear the voice of our Savior, to savor the gift of joy we receive in reconciliation with God on account of you.

In a world that is constantly rushing, have us know that your love is patient, is not easily angered, and, by grace, keeps no record of wrong. So reach out your long arm of grace. A grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return.

A grace that loves us so much, that you took on flesh and entered creation as one of us, that you might save us.

Rest us in the Good News of the peace, hope, and unbounded love we have in you.

All this we pray in your mighty,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 10th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious morning. In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by drawing us to you.Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle the chatter of worry in our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your Son.

Calm our restlessness and anxiety and make us channels of your peace. Stoke the flame of your light in our hearts that despite us, your light might shine through us into the darkness around us. Heal us by your wounds, and make us vessels of love and compassion and your mouthpiece of forgiveness. 

Lord

As we enter into some time in your Word together, have us know that your word is living and active. When you say “Let there be…”, things happen. When the sun rises and sets, you are speaking. When a tree bears fruit, you are preaching. When a child is baptized and sealed with your name, you are proclaiming visible, tangible gospel. 

When a church is gathered, when the discarded are salvaged, when the hurting are healed, when the broken are restored, when the unrighteous are made righteous, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. Rest us in the truth that when your word goes out, it does not return to you empty, but accomplishes the purpose for which you send it. 

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 3rd

Almighty God,

You are the light of the world. Be light in this room this morning. Send your Holy Spirit to be the light that rises in the darkness we might find ourselves in.

Your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To enliven us, to teach us, to lead us. To show us the Son, and to set us free in the Son. 

By the power of your Word this morning, shatter the bondage that prevents us from using our gifts wherever you plant our feet. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ to show kindness, patience, compassion and love to all those you bring near us.

Lord,

In this hectic world, we’re so often prodded and encouraged to turn to ourselves and our own efforts and our own hearts for comfort and justification. Have us hear, know and believe that we are not alone, that we are covered in your righteousness, and not our own. That you promise that you will be with us always. And you keep your promises.

In times of trouble and distress, or in times of calm and contentment, rest us in the truth that you do not abandon your people to the fickle flow of our own inner thoughts and feelings. Instead, you nailed down your salvation promise in the body of Christ on the cross. And you deliver your promise in the Word that comes from the cross, out of the tomb, and from heaven above, to us and for us by your Holy Spirit through your spoken, living, and active Word here this morning. 

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 25th

Almighty, gracious, and merciful Lord,

Our hearts and minds so easily get tempted, distracted, and turned by the unceasing tide of voices all around us. Speak, Lord, that by your Word our hearts may again be turned to you. From the heart that swallowed up the hatred of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us love. From the heart that ate the bitter lies of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us truth. From the heart that bore the wrath we deserve on the cross, pour into and out of us forgiveness. 

Turn our hearts from our own self-righteousness and plant us as oaks of your righteousness. Proclaiming wholeness in you, in a world that seeks only to divide. Proclaiming healing in you, in a world that is quick to wound. Proclaiming honor in you, in a world that seeks only to shame. Proclaiming salvation in you, in a world that seems to shout only condemnation. 

God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, from the lips of another speak into each of us the fullness of renewal and restoration we receive in the crucified and risen Christ. It’s in His name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 18th

Merciful Father,

In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity with you, and unity with each other. And you bless us by turning us to you, as all good gifts come from our heavenly Father. Hear our prayer, Lord, through your Son.

This day and every day, renew our hearts, Lord. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ. 

When we are in doubt, renew our hearts with His assurance and confidence. 

When we are exhausted, anxious, or fearful, renew our hearts with His peace. 

When our nerves are frayed and we are quick to anger, renew our hearts with his patience and forgiveness. 

When we are caught up in the world’s fractures and division, renew our hearts with His spirit of reconciliation. 

When we are unfaithful, renew our hearts with His faithfulness.

Show us your ways, Lord, teach us your paths. Guide us in your truth and teach us by your Word, for you are God our Savior, and our hope is in You. Give us assurance by your Word that you know your plans for us; plans for healing, plans of help and hope, plans of restoration in Jesus Christ, in whom all God’s plans and promises are fulfilled. 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Ash Wednesday Prayer

Almighty God,

In Christ, lifted high on the cross, we see the price paid for our own sin. 

Our own towering pride, nailed to the tree. 

Our arrogant elevation of our own self-sufficiency, nailed to the tree. 

Our belief in and pursuit of our own kingdoms, our own way, nailed to the tree. 

King Jesus,

You took all of our struggles, all of our idolatry, all of our unbelief, all of our scheming self-justification, all of our sin as your own. Our sin, exchanged for your righteousness. And according to your righteous plan, what humanity marked as an instrument of death, became the instrument for the death of death itself. By your mercy we are crucified with you, so that in you we might have your eternal resurrection life.

Have us know that the ashes that mark our foreheads tonight are not for show. They are a preached proclamation, not a mark of pride nor of shame, but of humility and hope. A sobering reminder of the truth of our mortality, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Yet a Spirit breathed confession of hope, because You do beautiful things with dust, You breathe life into dust.

So we are marked as those who were once children of the darkness, rescued by the cross and empty tomb to become children of the Lord of Light.

In your gracious and mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 11th

God of this day and of all days,

Be here with us as we are gathered by your Holy Spirit. Lord have mercy, and reach out your long arm of grace. Lord have mercy, and reach out with your love that binds us. With your peace that calms us. With your touch that heals us. With your joy that fills us. Have us know and believe that you are our God, and we are your children, united together in you by the Good News of Jesus Christ and his life, work, suffering, death, and resurrection “for us”.

King Jesus,

Free us from our darkness, doubts, worries and fears through your unconditional promise that you are making each of us and all things new. Assure us and have us know that you are not sitting back and waiting around for us to make the grade. Take action through your Word, Lord, create and sustain our faith in you out of the nothing of our sin.  For your love does not first discover what is pleasing to you. Instead, your love creates what is pleasing to you. Create us anew in your image, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to bear the fruit of the spirit. Draw us to the fulfilled promise of that newness found in your Word. Hear our prayer, Lord, you who are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call on you. So we call on you, forgive us, renew us, enliven us, and sustain us. Crash your resurrection life into us, Lord. Make us new.

In your mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 28th

Gracious Lord Jesus,

You are the light of the world. Comfort us with the truth that no matter how deep, our own darkness and the darkness of the world cannot overcome your light. By your Word, send your Holy Spirit, and be the light that rises in whatever darkness we might find ourselves in. In this unsettled time, settle our discontented and restless minds and hearts. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace that passes all understanding.

Almighty God,

Continue to pour out your Spirit; to enliven us, to teach us, to shape us, and to lead us. To show us the Son, so we may be set free in the Son. As we go about our days, work through us in the freedom that we have in Christ. Work through us to be who you would have us be, boldly but graciously bearing your image. 

In the midst of the world’s tension and uncertainty, cause us to be deliverers of your patience, mercy, hope, and love. 

King Jesus,

Cause us to be living mirrors of your grace, proclaiming words not of condemnation, but of salvation in you. For you did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it. Turn us and rest us in you, not racking our brains about the past or the future, but living in thanksgiving in the hour that is at hand. Turn us to you, that we might then be turned to pour out love and compassion to those you bring near us. 

It’s in your mighty and merciful name of we pray, Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 21st

King Jesus,

You are the God who can calm a storm with a word. Be the God of calm for us. Whenever we are consumed by anxiety, or fear, or anger, or the tension and stresses of this world, give each of us your stillness. Renew our hearts with your peace, Lord, and have us know and trust that we are in your hands. 

Lord,

When our lives feel like a struggle to keep afloat. When our hearts are heavy and you feel far away, rest us in the truth that You are as near to us as our next breath. And that in the midst of the turbulent distractions of life, by your Word you are working to refresh us, restore us, and to renew a right spirit within us. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Open our hearts and turn us to love the least among us, the “different”, the stranger, the outcast. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. When we are beset by anger or resentment, have us recall that Christ, who indeed had reason to avenge himself, instead intercedes with tears and cries of mercy upon mercy, grace upon grace. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Cause us to love, not in selective mercy, but with the fullness of Christ’s compassionate heart. For you show your love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Give us the heart and spirit of Christ, that we might be His image, His hands, and His mouthpiece of the Good News of His present and eternal Kingdom.

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 14th

Merciful Father,

Draw us to you by your grace and in faith, and fill each of our hearts with gratitude. Gratitude for the unconditional love and the new life we receive in Christ. Gratitude for this fellowship you have called us into. Turn us to you in thanks and praise for the opportunity to see the everyday wonders of creation and your work in our lives. 

Lord, as we walk forward in life, cause us to pause and look backward in faith. Have us look backward to see and know that you are faithful, even when we are unfaithful. Have us look backward to your promise fulfilled in Christ on the cross, and in His empty tomb.

And, Lord, as we walk, have us look forward in hope. Hope in the truth that you know your plans for us. Hope and certainty in the resurrection life we possess on account of Christ, even as we struggle with the uncertainties of this world. Hope and faith in Christ, and His merciful and gracious work in and for His beloved creation and children. Hope and faith in His promise that He is with us always. 

King Jesus, the Word made flesh, be the Christ for us. Draw us to your Word. By your Holy Spirit, guide us by your Word and transform us through your Word. Continue to be the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path. May the world know we are Christians by our love. May they know we are Christians by our mercy. May they know we are Christians by your forgiveness which we are called to pour out to others. May they know we are Christians by our hope in you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the author of life, the author of new seasons, the King of this world and the new world to come.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 7th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious day, yet another day when we are reminded that your mercies are new every morning. In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of true sanctuary and true rest in your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest  in you, Lord. 

Rest us in place, here where you’ve planted us, living in the hour that is at hand. Quiet all of the anxieties, worries, fears, and doubts of this world that cloud our minds and hearts. Create in us a clean and receiving heart turned to you. You who are present now, and you, who has something you will do, now, through the proclamation of your living and active Word.

Speak, Lord Jesus, and wash over each and every one of us with your compassion, with your love.  Keep us in your grip today and every day. Hold fast to our hearts with your words that though there is suffering in this life you have overcome the world. Rest us in your assurance that you know our struggles, having taken them as your own on the cross. Hold fast with your blood bought promise that in this groaning creation you are speaking and invading and making all things new and right. 

And rest us in hope. Because in You our salvation has come, is coming, and will come again. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Dec 31st

Almighty, merciful and gracious Lord,

By your Word, pour out your Spirit here this morning, and settle our worried minds and hearts. As we take in the countless voices around us, have us hear the voice above all voices, the voice of our Creator and Redeemer. Awaken our ears to hear. Open our hearts to be convicted by your Word. Open our hearts and make us vessels to receive peace from your Word. A peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace found in the mercy of Christ, peace found in the grace of Christ, peace found in the love of Christ.

King Jesus,

When we find ourselves exhausted by the distractions of this world, when we find ourselves exhausted by the often conflicting obligations, and the spiraling expectations of this world, be our sabbath. Be our rest. Rest us in the truth that in you all of God’s promises are “Yes”.

If we find ourselves parched for joy in the midst of troubles, pour your Word into us, and remind us that we are soaked in the living waters of baptism. Remind us that you have made us new in you, that you have marked us and sealed us with your name, never to be forsaken. 

All this we pray, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

AMEN.

Christmas Eve Prayer - Pastor Jason

Lord,

In a world that seems long on worry and fear, but short on hope, have us pause on this Christmas Eve night to reflect that you carry and deliver hope in the most unlikely ways and into the most undignified places. From the lowly manger to the brutal cross to the triumphant empty tomb, turn us in hope to Christ. 

Hope in the author of love, who knows what it is to be abandoned and so enters into our loneliness that we might never be alone. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and so enters into our sadness to comfort the sorrowful. Hope in the God who gives, and pours out blessings beyond measure. Hope in the friend of sinners, who loves sinners so much that He took our sins as His own. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking from the ordinary lips of another, forgives, restores and enlivens everyone who hears and believes. Open our ears to hear, cause us to believe that we are forgiven and made new in Christ.

Lord, rest us in your word,

Comfort, comfort my people, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

Make way, for the child is here. The King has come, the child long promised. Make way, for the child is here and He is the Way for you and for all. They way to honor instead of shame. The way to forgiveness instead of condemnation. The way to redemption instead of captivity, the way to restoration instead of brokenness, the way to true community instead of division, the way to true peace in the midst of wars large and small, the way to salvation. 

Lord, circle us with the light of your presence, the Word made flesh, bright within this dark world. Spiritual light for the blind, the cup of salvation for the thirsty, the bread of life for the hungry. For unto us a child is born, a son is given. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Emmanuel, God iswith us.

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Dec 17th

God of creation, God of redemption, author of life, author and perfecter of our faith,

We praise and thank you for the great wonders you have sent us: for the shining star that points to the Way, for the infant's cry in a lowly manger, for the Light’s quiet invasion into the darkness of this world in the Word made flesh as a little child, and for the resounding angels’ song which we hear alongside the shepherds of long ago. 

King Jesus,

In you, the incomprehensible nature of God is comprehended enough, for in you the fullness of God dwells. In the One who is Justice, Mercy, Grace and Life itself, we have justice, mercy, grace, and life, for us. Because in you, God’s promise of salvation and restoration is fulfilled. In you God’s love is made manifest. We bring our sin, sorrows, fears, worry, and grief to you, Lord. And you have us surrender them at your feet, from the crib exchanged for a cross, where the cracks of our brokenness are filled with the purified gold of the blood of the Lamb. 

Stir up your power, Lord, and come. Come and help us by your mighty word, that the sins and burdens that weigh us down may be lifted by your love. 

For unto us a Child is born, a Son is given. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, entered into the world, so that He might make us new, so that He might make all things new. 

AMEN.