Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.
In Romans 8, Paul speaks of the assurance we have in the everlasting love of our Lord, and of the knowledge that the one who created everything and upholds the universe, is the one who guarantees he will complete the work he began in each of us who have trusted him as Lord and Savior. Let’s consider this promise together-beginning in verse 31 of Romans 8:
"31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?"
In verse 37 Paul answers by saying: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
Pray with me.
What great assurance there is to be found in such a statement as Paul makes: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Help us to ponder this truth today, Father, as each of us faces different challenges and circumstances in our lives, no matter what, if you are for us Lord, who can be against us?
There is nothing that can separate us from your love -- not on this earth and not for eternity.
No matter what happens there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. You assured that when our Lord died for our sins and not only that was raised from the dead.
He sits at your right hand interceding for us in ways we can’t always fathom.
He knows our needs infinitely more than we do and graciously gives us all things.
Help us to embrace that truth as we struggle with the uncertainty of life in a fallen world. Because, as long as we are on this earth, it is inevitable that we will face tribulation and distress.
It may be that we will face persecution in a culture that is increasingly hostile to you. We may struggle financially or physically.
But, no matter what, we are more than conquerors, not by our might but by yours, the creator, sustainer and ruler of all things.
Lord, may we rest in this great truth always, for it is in Jesus’ name we pray, the one who loves us and intercedes for us and sustains us always. Amen.