Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

Father God, this this room is full of people with a great variety of experiences from the past week. 

For some, there are reasons to celebrate. 

• Milestone Tests have been passed 
• Accomplishments celebrated 
• Children have obeyed parents 
• Job interviews have been successful 
• Relationships have been strengthened 
• Scripture has been committed to memory 
• Forgiveness has been granted 
• Mercy has been shown 
• Self-control has been exercised. 

All are reasons to celebrate and all are evidence of your grace and we are grateful to you for such expressions of kindness to us.  

But we also know Lord, this week has been marked by disappointment for many in this room. 

• Expectations have not been met 
• Medical tests results haven’t been as hoped 
• Cars have broken down  
• Unbudgeted expenses surprise  
• Harsh words have been both uttered and received  
• Unexpected and discouraging news has been delivered 
• Children have not responded well to discipline 
• Spouses have been self-centered 
• Loneliness and discontentment has been a struggle  
• Communication has been hard and misunderstandings hurtful 
• Plans have been interrupted and radically altered  
• The sting of death disrupts life  
• Fear of man was not been overcome 

 None of this is particularly unique or uncommon.  Each week, some members will celebrate joys while others will face trials.  We know this is to be expected as part of life in this fallen world that is marred by sin.   

 Yet, I want to intercede for these in our body who are hurting, who are discouraged, who are battling unbelief, who are tempted to believe the whispers of their deceitful heart and who are struggling with an anxious mind.  I want to pray to you our God, who hears our prayers, who knows our needs, and who cares for his children. 

 Father we know your word instructs us all to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, for You God are opposed to the proud, but give grace to the humble.  We are told to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that You may exalt us at the proper time.  Furthermore we are instructed to cast all our anxiety on You our father, because You care for us, your children.  

 Father, I pray for those of us who are feeling apprehensive, who are distressed, who are battling discouragement and who are allowing the cares of the world to distract us.  I pray this unrest would be recognized and that we’d see it as scripture defines it – as sinning against you.   

 We can think you have forgotten us.  We can believe lies that suggest you are distant, indifferent or uncaring.  Forgive us for such unbiblical thinking.  Forgive us for this blatant unbelief.  Help us to admit our sinfulness and see our need for a biblical response.  Help us to reject the silly notion that we know better than you or that we can trust ourselves more than we can trust you.  Help us to see our pride clearly and seek your forgiveness for this sin of anxiousness. 

 Help us to respond as Peter instructs – to clothe ourselves in humility and to humble ourselves under your mighty hand.  Father we know your mighty hand is a sovereign hand that rules justly and orders perfectly.  We know our current circumstances are ordained and not happenstance.  Help us to find comfort in that truth instead of despair because we are not in control ourselves.  Help us to trust you more and ourselves less.   

 Help us too to cast all of our anxieties upon you Lord.  All that worries us, all that burdens us, all that keeps us up at night, all that causes us fear.  Help us cast all that burdens us upon you and not claim any circumstances are wrongly under our own control.  Help us to rightly acknowledge that you God are in control, not us. 

 Help us see that every challenge we face has a spiritual purpose.  Scripture tells us it is for our good and your glory.  Remind us too, that we should humbly cast all our anxieties upon you, because you care for us.  The holy, creator God cares for each of his children.  May that truth never be far from our minds.  Your love and your care is best.  It is perfect.  It is complete.  It is inexhaustible.  Help us to rehearse this truth in our own lives and also be ready to remind one another of this truth.  May our humility to trust you be a powerful gospel testimony to those around us for your glory and the renown of your name.