Good Friday Prayer List
Dear St. Paul's Congregation,
I'm looking forward to having many of you come to the sanctuary tomorrow for prayer. I will open up the church at 6:00 a.m., and you are welcome to come throughout the day and pray. A printed prayer list will be available at the church.
If you are unable to come to the church, I'm including a prayer list without missionaries (for security purpose). I hope you will pick up a list at church either Good Friday or Easter, so that you can pray for our missionaries, also.
Grace and peace to each of you!
Pastor Mark Friz
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Intercessory Prayer List for St. Paul's Evangelical Church
Good Friday, 2011
Praise to God:
1. Praise to the Father: I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that he has given me and still preserves my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, also food and clothing, home and family, and all my possessions; that he daily and abundantly provides me with all the necessaries of life, protects and preserves me from all danger; and all this he does out of sheer fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, without and merit or worthiness on my part. For all this I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.
2. Praise to the Son: I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord, who has redeemed, purchased and delivered me, a lost and condemned creature, from all sins, from death, and from the power of Satan, not with silver or gold, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death; that I may be his own, live under him in his Kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness; even as he is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
3. Praise to the Holy Spirit: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in my Lord Jesus Christ, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; even as he calls, gathers, enlightens and preserves the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian church he daily and abundantly forgives me and all believers all sins, and on that last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give unto me and all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.
Henri Nouwen's Good Friday Prayer (excerpts):
Dear Lord Jesus, You, "the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation, for whom all things are created in heaven and on earth, everything visible and everything invisible," you hang dead on a cross. You have just spoken your last words, "It is fulfilled," and given up your spirit. . . .
I look at your dead body on the cross. The soldiers, who have broken the legs of the two men crucified with you, do not break your legs, but one of them pierces your side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flow out. Your heart is broken, the heart that did not know hatred, revenge, resentment, jealousy or envy but only love, love so deep and so wide that it embraces your Father in heaven as well as all humanity in time and space. Your broken heart is the source of my salvation, the foundation of my hope, the cause of my love. It is the sacred place where all that was, is and ever shall be is held in unity. There all suffering has been suffered, all anguish lived, all loneliness endured, all abandonment felt and all agony cried out. There, human and divine love have kissed, and there God and all men and women of history are reconciled. All the tears of the human race have been cried there, all pain understood and all despair touched. Together with all people of all times, I look up to you whom they have pierced, and I gradually come to know what it means to be part of your body and your blood, what it means to be human. . . .
As I look, my eyes begin to recognize the anguish and agony of all the people for whom you gave yourself. Your broken heart becomes the heart of all of humanity, the heart of all the world. You carry them all: abandoned children, rejected wives and husbands, broken families, the homeless, refugees, prisoners, the maimed and tortured, and the thousands, yes millions, who are unloved, forgotten and left alone to die. I see their emaciated bodies, their despairing faces, their anguished looks. I see them all there, where your body is pierced and your heart is ripped apart. O compassionate Lord, your heart is broken because of all the love that is not given or received. . . .
Blood and water flowed from your broken heart. Lord Jesus, help me to understand this mystery. So much blood has flowed through the centuries: blood of people who did not even know why they were trampled underfoot, mutilated, tortured, slain, beheaded and left unburied; blood caused by swords, arrows, guns and bombs, tainting the faces of millions of people; blood that comes forth from angry, bitter, jealous, vengeful hearts, and from hearts that are set on hatred, violence and destruction. From the blood of Abel killed by his brother to the blood of the Jews, the Armenians, the Ukrainians, the Irish, the Iranians and Iraqis, the Palestinians, the South Africans and the countless nations and ethnic groups victimized by the evil intentions of their sisters and brothers in the human race, blood has been covering the earth, and cries have gone up to heaven: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?" . . .
Let the blood and water that flow from your heart give me a new heart to live a new life. I know that in this [present] world water and blood will never be separated. There will be peace and anguish, joy and tears, love and agony. They will be there always–together–leading me daily closer to you who give your heart to my heart.
Our Purpose as a Church:
The purpose of St. Paul's Church is to:
praise and glorify God through worship
bring people to faith in Jesus Christ and fellowship in His family
develop individuals into Christian disciples
equip these disciples for service in the church
help them fulfill God's mission in the world
1. Worship: pray for God's leading in both our traditional and celebration services. Pray for passionate spirituality at St. Paul's.
2. Faith and Fellowship: Pray for the worship visitors, that God would bless the contacts being made by the connections team; that our church would be able to assimilate new souls; that our members would be praying for 5 people that do not know Christ, and invite them to church on Easter and Good Friday.
3. Disciples: Pray that many members will become involved in Bible Study through our Small Group Ministries. Pray for everyone at St. Paul's to be committed to a time for God (daily quiet time), a team for God (a small group), a tithe for God (stewardship).
4. Service: Pray that all the members of St. Paul's will discover, develop and use their spiritual gifts.
5. Mission: Pray that each member of St. Paul's will find ways to be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ. Pray that God will raise up full time Christian workers, pastors and missionaries from our midst. Pray especially for the gift of evangelism to be encouraged at St. Paul's.
Prayer Concerns from Prayer Team
1. Pray for the people in Japan recovering from the earthquake and tsunami
2. Church Staff
a. Jannet Dieckgraefe
b. Terri Booher
c. Janet Graeler
d. Lois Percival
e. Nathan Drake
f. Keith Kozlowski
g. Clay Brigham
3. Pastors Dan Walter and Mark Friz and families. For protection from the plans Satan has to destroy them and that they would feel supported and that their personal times with God would strengthen them for their ministry
4. Easter services–that people form the surrounding community would attend and feel welcome
5. Church and Spiritual Council members and other leaders – for wisdom, encouragement, and discernment as they lead St. Paul's congregation
a. CC: Mike Rohman, President, Gary Oliver, Mike O'Rourke, Don Russell, Greg Paquette, Kurt van Dyk, Janet Rolle, Bill Vollmer, Debi Graeler, Scott Schurwan, Sue Jackson, Roger Lindstrom
b. SC: Frank Serdy, Chairman, Eric Button, Jean Buelter, Jim Graeler, Kathy Woodrome, Mark Immekus, Scott Dieckgraefe
6. Congregation
a. Needs, desires, spirituality
b. For board to lead spiritually
7. A worship leader for the 2nd service, wisdom and guidance for the search committee as they consider candidates; also inspiration and encouragement to the current worship team with Nathan Drake as the leader
8. Youth Group
9. Pray for good understanding of God's will and leading for the direction of Children and Family Ministries at St. Paul's
10. Vacation Bible School and Jami Miller
11. Worship Night ministry
12. College and Young Adult (CAYA)
13. Sunday school teachers
14. Summer trips for Adults and Youth: Germany, France, Philippines. Pray for protection for them and that they would be able to share the love of Christ to those they meet.
15. Pray that fund raisers for trips would be a success (Barbecue and Trivia Night)
16. Confirmation students, 7th and 8th graders: that they would follow Christ and be found faithful at his second coming.
17. Raise up prayer warriors in our church; help members to want to pray and feel comfortable doing so.
18. Pray that there is no gossip that can divide church members
19. That God would bring more young people to our church as well as young couples who have young children; that our numbers would increase for FOCUS
20. For those who volunteer with our children: for energy, refreshment and joy in their service
21. Life Team: for continued wisdom as we build relationships with life-affirming agencies, for growth in our team, for Barbara van Dyk as she leads us
22. For Adult ABF's: that God would draw more people to be involved, that solid relationships would be established
23. For Small Groups: joy for the leaders, strong relationships for members, encouragement for Pastor Dan
24. For God's presence among us every Sunday as we worship
25. Marriages in the congregation – for strengthening, closeness, protection
26. Community outreach
27. Israel – Jerusalem – Gaza Strip
28. King's Kids Camp
29. Tom Clegg recommendations
a. Pray for regular attenders to invite more people to church
b. Leadership class – to encourage new leaders
c. Deeper prayer ministry
d. Unity of St. Paul's congregation
e. Lay involvement in membership care
f. Upgrade business practices
g. Sunday worship
h. Alternative Worship Night
i. Coaching of leadership
30. Real meaning of Easter
31. Pamphlet – Prayer Guide for Victims of Sex Trafficking
32. That abortion ceases in St. Louis, USA and the world
33. Bill before the Missouri House and Senate to allow lawsuits against sex trafficking
34. Friendly Visitors who visit the shut-ins and the homebound of our church
35. Stephen Ministers (caregivers) – need more care receivers
36. New volunteers
37. Revision of St. Paul's Constitution
38. Margaret Dorsey's daughter and her nieces in Uganda
39. Everlasting fruit
40. Being a positive influence on others
41. Unity in purpose
42. Listening to and hearing from God
Our Shut-ins
1. Louise Anthon, St. Louis, MO
2. Lois Baumgarte, Chesterfield, MO
3. Mildred Birkhead, Friendship Village Health Center, Rm. 831
4. Alice Bradshaw, Friendship Village, Rm. 801
5. Walter Caesar, Hallmark, #130
6. Don Dahlberg, St. Louis, MO
7. Doris Dahlberg, The Cedars in Chesterfield
8. Ruth Dauster, Brookview at Stoneridge
9. Leone Dierberg, Friendship Village, Apt. 276
10. Eunice Floyde, New York
11. Eulah Gertz, St. Louis, MO
12. Bob Gill, St. Louis, MO
13. Jeanette Graeser, St. Ann, MO
14. Marie Graeser, St. Louis, MO
15. Dorothy Grothe, St. Louis, MO
16. Lorraine Hageman, St. Ann, MO
17. David Harned, NHC of Maryland Heights
18. Pat Hartke, Sunrise Assisted Living, St. Louis, 63117
19. George & LaVerne Heger, O'Fallon, MO
20. Betty Keely, St. Louis, MO
21. Herman Kern, Wappapello, MO
22. Ralph Knurbein, Maryland Heights, MO
23. Howard Kopadt, Friendship Village Health Center, Rm 734
24. Rev. Robert Kroening, Hermann, MO
25. Henry Leininger, St. Louis, MO
26. Martha Lindner, Garden View Care Center, Valley Park, MO
27. Dorothy Litzinger, Friendship Village, Rm. 825
28. Dorothy MacLean, Bridgeton, MO
29. Elda Niehaus, Friendship Village Health Center, Rm. 823
30. Alberta Reeder, Friendship Village, Rm. 822
31. Mildred Schaefer, St. Louis, MO
32. Art Seewoester, Friendship Village Health Center, Rm. 831
33. Martha Seewoester, Friendship Village, Apt. 479
34. Lee Seymour, St. Ann, MO
35. Marguerite Simpson, St. Louis, MO
36. Carl & Anna Snofke, St. Louis, MO
37. Richard Tappmeyer, Friendship Village, Rm 718
38. Mary Teare, Sunrise Assisted Living, Des Peres, MO
39. Myrtle Woods, Friendship Village Health Center, Rm. 803
40. Eugenia Zacny, Friendship Village, Apt. 115
Intercessory Prayers:
1. Amber Brozek, age 17, pre-cancer cells found
2. Kathy Feld, friend of Barbara van Dyk, undergoing chemo
3. Christy Kessler, friend of Janet Rolle, recovery from breast DIEP reconstruction surgery
4. Jeff Latta, friend of Mark Immekus, prayers for spiritual guidance
5. Andrew Moritz, friend of Lisa Houska, stomach cancer
6. Ann Peycke, mother of Gayle Friz, on hospice, prayers for comfort and peace
7. Ben Replogle, for quick recovery following surgery
8. Jeremiah Schuetz, great-nephew of David Oliver, liver problems, Cardinal Glennon
9. Cindi Simon and Family, sister of Kris Immekus, that God would touch and lead them through this time
10. Kristine Smith, please pray for a swift and uncomplicated recovery from surgery
11. Renee Solverud, friend of Emily Crawford, undergoing aggressive treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer
12. Mary Spitzmiller, dear friend of Lisa Stahlhut, recovering from double mastectomy
13. Doug Teare, for wisdom, strength and encouragement for the future.
14. Lois Trowbridge, recovery from hip replacement surgery
15. Kurt and Barbara van Dyk, attending the MSV conference, for them to be flexible, patient, relational, discerning, and encouraging. Pray that they well connect well with their frontline teammates. Pray, too, that those leading the trip will be able to raise the finances, which are still lacking, to cover the frontliners' travel and conference fees (frontliners are the locals who are brining the gospel to unreached people groups).
16. Pam, friend of Lisa Houska, prayers for strength and hope
17. Family of Shirley Murphy, mother of Maureen Kozlowski, who passed away on Friday, April 15.
18. Family of Opal Thielmann, former member of St. Paul's, who passed away on Monday, April 18.
19. Missions: Mark and Mary Esther Penner, for the Japanese pastors and Christians as they face both fantastic challenges and opportunities at this time. That they will be strong and courageous, and yet not strive in their own strength but know it is God who is building His Kingdom.
Bidding Prayers
(by ancient usage similar prayers were especially appointed for Good Friday)
Brothers and Sisters, let us pray for the whole Christian Church, that our Lord God would defend it against all the assaults and temptations of the Adversary and keep it perpetually upon the true foundation, Jesus Christ.
LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US.
Let us pray for the Preachers of the Word, for all Leaders in the church, and for all the People of God, that every member might be filled with the Holy Spirit and use their gifts to serve you in a spirit of humility.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Let us pray for our Confirmands, that our Lord God would open their hearts and the door of His mercy, that having made their public confession of faith, they may truly understand the meaning of the Communion Table and evermore be found in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US.
Let us pray for All in Authority, and especially for the government of the United States, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, seeking mercy and justice for all.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Let us pray for Seasonable Weather, that our heavenly Father would not look upon our sins and evil doings, but upon our necessities. Lord, according to your mercy send us such seasonable weather that the earth may in due time yield her increase.
LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US.
Let us pray our Lord God Almighty that He would Deliver the World from all error, set free the poor and all those who are in chains and bondage, grant safe return to the travelers, health to the sick, and comfort to the aged.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Let us pray for all who are absorbed in Grief, that they may be raised to share the sorrows of others, and know the secret and blessed fellowship of the cross. Let us pray for all who are Lonely and Sad in the midst of others' joy, that they may know you as their friend and comforter.
LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US.
Let us pray for all who are tried by passionate Temptations, that your mercy, strength and discipline may be their salvation.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Let us pray for Peace, that the Author of all concord would grant us inward peace in our souls and outward peace in our world. We pray especially for a swift end to the war in Iraq and justice for the Iraqi people.
LORD, HAVE MERCY UPON US.
Let us pray for our Enemies, that God would remember them in mercy and graciously grant to them such things as are both needful for them and profitable unto their salvation.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Finally, let us pray for all things for which our Lord would have us ask, saying: "Our Father..."