Prayer for Today, Sunday, January 16

Holy God,

Our hearts ache for You. As we seek You, O Lord, we know You are seeking us. As we are faithful to You, Creator God, we know You are faithful to us. You are faithful to all generations and we give You thanks. Empower us, O Lord, to tell others the stories of faith. As we celebrate our relationship to You that is lived out within a community of faith, encourage us to share that joy with others. Jesus gave us a mandate to love You, love our neighbors and make disciples. He said, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers as few”. May we be Your laborers in the harvest. . .inviting, sharing, hosting, nurturing and loving others into a life changing relationship with You. This is our prayer in Jesus name, AMEN.
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Please pray for Thelma, Joan, Chester, Ila and Francis Ferne who are hospitalized.

Please pray for Madge Loomis, who is in Greenbriar skilled nursing and for Dale Vance, who is recovering at home from his recent hospital stay.

Remember there is hospital caller training in the sanctuary immediately after the 10:15 a.m. services. This is for anyone who might be interested.

Men, please RSVP by Tuesday noon for the Thursday NW Area men’s meeting in Fairview.

Today’s scripture is Genesis 32:22-32: The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had.
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.

This week’s Psalm is Psalm 4:
Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.
There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore