How Can I Be Sure?

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Pastoral Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pause to consider how you are the God or all things.  As we enter into a time of prayer, we marvel at your characteristics, that you are without beginning, without end, eternal and everlasting, you are the uncreated one, unchangeable, invisible, limitless, ungraspable, unfathomable, good, just, almighty, creator of all things, sovereign overall, the supreme power, and judge overall. You are the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Heb. 13:8) 

In this Advent season we celebrate and proclaim your coming.  Help us to know the great implications of your coming.  That the world changed forever when you stepped foot onto this earth.  When you were born of a virgin and became truly human and truly divine, you were made like us in every way, except without sin.  Help to not lose sight that our sin has been taken away, we’ve been washed clean.   (Heb. 4:15, 7:26-27) 

Hear our prayers of gratitude in response to the coming of your son, Jesus Christ. 

Father, we see your heart to save the world when you did not without your only Son, but sent him to this earth to save us from our sin.  We see your heart to save the world when your Son Jesus, before He left this world told His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.  So, we pray for your church as she pushes out into the world to share the message of your saving grace. 

We pray for our ministry partners of Dignity: Restoring Hope, Tom and Petra Damms who serve refugees in the Czech Republic.  We pray for them as they seek to love and care for refugees.  Give them wisdom as they seek to integrate and settle these refugees who have fled their home county to a new country due to war, terror or persecution, and to provide assistance in a variety of ways, help them to find schools for the children, assisting with interpreting and translations, providing accommodations and helping with medical needs. 

Father, you’ve also called us to this place and time here in Knoxville.  And there is a great need for mission here and also for us to pray for our people. And so we turn our attention in prayer to those who are in need here at Cedar Springs. 

Cari Meystrik – Please pray for Cari as she continues with radiation treatments. 

Becky Chester – Please pray for Becky as she recovers from surgery to remove an infection in her left leg and as she deals with serious health issues. 

Dan and Edye Foutch – Please pray for Dan who has experienced heart issues. Please pray for Edye as she continues treatment for bone marrow cancer.  

Bill and Nancy Moore – Please pray for Nancy who continues her battle with cancer. PRAISE! Scans and blood work continue to show NO evidence of disease. Nancy will receive chemo every three weeks for a total of 18 rounds, which if all goes well, she will finish in March 2025. Please pray for Bill as he cares for her 

Heavenly Father, hear us as we pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that exist around us. 

Father, be with us as we enter this Christmas season.  May our hearts be filled with the joy.