Here’s a pastoral prayer for the fourth Sunday of
Lent, Year A. It was written by Paul
Sauer, and posted on the Lutheran Forum website.
Pastoral Prayer
for the first Sunday in Lent
Lord God, you
sent Samuel
to anoint David in front of his brothers, and your Spirit came
mightily upon him all
the days of his life . Anoint us with your Holy Spirit, that we may serve you
all the days of our lives.
The day of the Lord is coming:
He abounds in steadfast
love.
Lord Jesus Christ, you
are
our Good Shepherd.
Even as
the Psalmist talked about you
in his Psalm, until he started talking with you,
so train us to learn
from his example. Become
for
us not only the subject
of our holy conversation, but also our dearest
confidant and companion.
The day of the Lord is coming:
He abounds in steadfast
love.
Holy Spirit,
help us understand what is pleasing to the Lord
so that we may be children of the light.
Wake up our
sleeping spirits so that the light of Christ may shine on us and
through us.
The day of the Lord is coming:
He abounds in steadfast
love.
Lord Jesus Christ, you
are
the Light of the World. Even
as
you opened the eyes of
the blind, open our eyes
to see your presence everywhere, and give
us the courage to confess our faith
boldly, like one who
knows whom to thank.
The day of the Lord is coming:
He abounds in steadfast
love.
Great Physician,
the infirmities of all people are subject to you and your word.
If it be your will, heal those with
special needs whom we name
silently or aloud before you: ______ .
The day of the Lord is coming:
He abounds in steadfast
love.
Though we remember we are dust and to dust we shall return, we remember
that we are your
precious
dust. Amen.
