A Pastoral Prayer (+ This Sunday at Immanuel)
In Christ, we have access to God, so that we can bring him all our concerns.
“…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18a).
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we now have access to God, so that we can bring him all our concerns — for ourselves, others, the church, and the world— trusting in his purposes. Below is a Pastoral Prayer from Barnabas Piper, which he delivered on June 2, 2024.
Father in heaven, what an incredible privilege it is to call you that–Father–at your invitation. We can come to you with nothing but need and questions and confessions, and you receive us as our perfect Father.
We can come to you with the smallest concern, the slightest worry, the most miniscule frustration because you do not overlook or disregard the minutiae of life. You are near to those who call on you. You clothe the lilies in beauty and feed the sparrows daily. Nothing escapes your notice or care.
And at the same time you are God Almighty, a consuming fire, robed in majesty, speaking with a voice of thunder. You have put the nations under your feet and kings and presidents bow before you (or one day will). You reign, you rule, and you judge. You are to be feared.
So we come before you, as your people, in all this infinite spectrum of your reality–you are loving and welcoming Father, you are gentle and caring provider, you are fearsome ruler, You are righteous judge, and you are utterly Holy. And you–in your great mercy and perfect wisdom–have called us “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [your] own possession, that we may proclaim your excellencies, your mighty works, your great love, especially as you have revealed them in Jesus.
You loved us to such a degree that you sent your one and only Son–Jesus himself–that whoever believes would not perish in condemnation but have eternal life from you and with you. In Jesus we see most clearly your goodness, your love, your mercy, your care, your tenderness, and your salvation. And in Him we see the full extent of your majesty, your power, your might, your righteousness, and your rule. In Jesus, whom you sent for us, we see the full extent of your glory. For:
15 He is the image of [you] the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of [us], the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all [your] fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
So Father, we are amazed at who you are. We are in awe of what you have done and are doing. We are humbled that you would call us to participate. And we are unspeakably grateful–though we will do our best to speak it–for the gift of your Son to us and for us and over us. In his perfect name we pray, AMEN.
THIS SUNDAY AT IMMANUEL
FAMILY WORSHIP: Join us this Sunday as Pastor Barnabas continues our sermon series, The Gospel According to Genesis! Children four and older are invited to worship together in our corporate gatherings at 9 AM and 10:45! Classes for children three and younger remain open in iKids.
SUNDAY SEMINARS
Sadler Hall
9 AM: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in the blue room
*NEW* 10:45 AM: The Bible’s Big Story, led by David McLemore, helping you read and apply the Bible by seeing how the entire storyline points to Jesus, his grace, and his gospel.
Sadler Chapel
9 AM: Last Word: The Gospel of Christ in the Book of Revelation, led by Dr. Russell Moore in Sadler Chapel
10:45 AM: - Church History for Beginners, led by Dr. Gavin Ortlund in Sadler Chapel
Student Ministry
9 AM: Student Seminar (grades 5-12) in the gymnasium