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CHRISTMAS
Lord God, gracious Father, who in the fullness of time sent Your Son
to become man, to assume human flesh like mine and become my Brother, I
thank You for Your truth and Your fatherly goodness in giving us this
Savior. By His birth, death, and resurrection, we are delivered
from sin, death, Satan, and hell. I beseech You, keep me until the
end in true knowledge of my Redeemer, that with the holy angels, I may
rejoice at His nativity, and on the Last Day, when He comes again, I may
behold Him, together with You and the Holy Spirit, in glory and majesty,
world without end.
Amen.
For the Sick
Dear Lord Jesus, when You walked upon this earth, You healed the sick, gave
sight to the blind, caused the lame to walk, and raised the dead. Now we come to You in
behalf of those who are suffering today (those listed in our Prayer Chain) and
pray that You would send them Your healing power.
Dearest Lord, You have suffered all things. You know and understand
their pain. We ask You to ease their suffering, to quiet their fears, and to direct their
eyes to Your cross. Grant them penitent hearts and by Your grace forgive their sins.
As they lie on their beds of pain, help them look beyond the ceiling of their room to Your
throne in the heavens. Take their hand in Yours that they may receive that peace which
You alone can give. Since the holy Word promises that "in everything God works for good
with those who love Him," teach them confidently to place themselves into Your gracious care,
saying, "Not my will but Yours be done."
Hear our prayer for Your Name's sake. Amen.
For Those in Military
Service
Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are in
distress when we think of the many young men and women of our land who are
called into military service, especially Jim, to defend their country at great personal
sacrifice, sometimes contrary to their own convictions. Keep them
from becoming bitter or discouraged. Help them realize that Your
divine providence always controls their lives and that, come what may, all
things will work together for their ultimate good.
Grant them courage to perform their duties
well. Keep their minds and bodies pure. Shield them from harm
and temptation. In doubts and fears, give them a conquering faith. Enable
them ever so to live and to serve that they will be Your effectual
witnesses.
Dear Lord, soon end all strife and
establish peace among the people of this earth. Meanwhile, we entrust
our loved ones, especially Jim, our service men and women to your guidance and
care. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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