Prayer for Today, Thursday, August 25

O Divine Presence,

Sometimes the trials and pressures of life immobilize us. There is so much to do and yet we don’t know where to start. We become numbed and inattentive as we sink into hopelessness. While this is not a frequent occurrence for us it is the norm for many in our midst. May we be strengthened and sustained by Your love when such feelings come over us. May we also open our eyes to the needs of others, being less critical and more compassionate. In all of life’s situations may we remember that we are often the unintended beneficiaries when we reach out to someone in need. Help us, O Lord, to understand that our tribulations are often reduced when we help someone else. May we experience Your blessing as we bless others. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
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John Yeager died yesterday. Please pray for Velma and their family. His funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Hunter Methodist Church.

Please offer prayers for the family of Gary Johndrow, Jeff’s father.

Dortha Immel, Austin Wade, Tim Simpson, Margaret Lambke, Gene Mason and Ruby Register are still hospitalized. Please pray for them.

Remember this Sunday is our Fall Kick Off with a Tailgate Party right after church in the Fellowship Hall. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served with all the “fixins”. Wear your favorite high school , college or pro team’s shirts or colors. We will have a lot of fun on Sunday as we look toward our fall programming.

An ecumenical group is meeting this afternoon to plan a community service of remembrance and prayer for 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, September 11. This is the tenth anniversary. Put that on your calendar now.

The scripture for today is Galatians 5:16-21:
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore