The Importance of Prayer at Living Grace
Pastor Eugene Peterson says, “The Holy Spirit is God’s way of being with us, working through us, and speaking to us – it’s the way in which continuity is maintained between the life of Jesus and the life of Jesus’ community; prayer is the primary way in which the community actively receives and participates in that presence – working and speaking. Prayer is our way of being attentively present to God who is present to us in the Holy Spirit.”
Martin Luther said, “Pray and let God worry.”
Martin Luther also said, “Prayer is climbing up into the heart of God.”
And Martin Luther also said: "All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired."
God answers our prayers in one of 3 ways: yes, not yet, and I have something better for you.
ELCA Prayer Ventures (Monthly List of Daily Prayer Focuses)
ELCA Daily Prayers at Home
Pocket Prayer Shawl Ministry
Living Grace is a small church. It is difficult for us to do big things; but we can faithfully and humbly do small things in a big way.
One of these small things we can do are Pocket Prayer Shawls (see the picture of a bowl filled with Pocket Prayer Shawls above). A Pocket Prayer Shawl is a small quilted square with a small cross sewn on. Before being distributed, the Pocket Prayer Shawl is put in a plastic "baggie" with a note that says "As you hold your Pocket Prayer Shawl, may you feel God's loving and comforting touch. Know that He is always with you. With prayers especially for you from Living Grace Lutheran Church, Hawley, MN."
The people of Living Grace are encouraged to be led by the Holy Spirit to recognize people they come across who might be struggling - health concerns for themselves or loved ones, family problems, financial worries, work problems, anxiety and fear - and offer the support and comfort of a Pocket Prayer Shawl. Pocket Prayer Shawls have been given to people who attended the Northwestern Minnesota Synod synod assembly a few years ago. They have been given to people all over our country and even in foreign lands. Thanks be to God!
If you would like a Pocket Prayer Shawl for yourself or for someone else, join us for worship some Sunday morning or email us at [email protected]. Pocket Prayer Shawls are also available in the box beneath the Prayer Request Box in front of the Garrick Theatre (see below).
Prayer Request Box
Another way Living Grace supports prayer is our Prayer Request Box mounted outside the front of the Garrick Theatre. People are given the opportunity to submit a prayer request, kept confidential, by putting the written request in the locked Prayer Request Box. For convenience, cards and pencils are provided in a separate box beneath the Prayer Request Box.
Every Sunday we pray for all who have left a prayer request in our Prayer Request Box.
Suggested Prayers
The following prayers are supplied for your use if you choose.
Morning Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God,
you have brought us in safety to this new day.
Preserve us with your mighty power,
that we may not fall into sin nor be overcome in adversity.
In all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Evening Prayer
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Night Prayer
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night
so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of life may find our rest in you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
These prayers are adapted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Copyright 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Published by Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Weekly Intercessory Prayers