“Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another—
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

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Families, couples, friends -- younger and older, excitedly scattered places over the last couple of months. Hopping on a plane, trains or in automobiles for a day trip. All-inclusive vacations, cruises, road trips, fishing trips… slow days by the ocean and grilling outdoors. What a blast! Thank God for all of it, the peaceful ‘staycations’, slow walks, weekends of late mornings, extended sunlight and sweet rest and refreshing that resulted.

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Even still, walking back through church doors Christians all around treasure the blessing of being meant for this. We are meant to know, love and worship God; meant to be transformed from hostile strangers to godly friends; meant to prove that Jesus is alive in us. We are meant not only to possess but to express the joy of life with Jesus Christ here and now and through eternity. The Father is observing and smiling down on the pure smiles and exchanges between friends, those brought together by His Son. He sees the enthusiasm between people meeting for the first time. They hold the familiar bulletin (though barely ever reading it) and it feels nice in hand. Spirit-led prelude music preps the environment of the Lord’s house. Only God knows that an anointed melody is comforting the broken and wounded and confused who sit in quiet contemplation uttering worried prayer. We gather as a reminder of the One on our side. We were made for a sanctuary but not one made by hands. Our sanctuary is the living God’s. The Holy Spirit. Hebrews verses above teach that gathering to worship God is not just a tradition – but it’s encouragement in motion. We don’t come back merely to fill a seat but to praise and be built up in faith. We are meant to receive and offer encouragement in motion, through inspired worship.  Below prayers are encouragement in motion for Fall. Enjoy & share!

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Prayer for students and young people:

Lord God, with new backpacks they enter new classrooms filled with new faces. Calm anxiety as they step into a fresh chapter. Reassure them that they don’t have to write the chapter alone, but that Christ is with them. Remind them of the Church, their home field.  Whatever this year holds—tests they won’t study enough for, friendships that shift, moments of feeling lost—bring them back to the worshipping church where they are not too young to matter and where they are not expected understand it all.  But just their desire to be in Your presence is enough to start.

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Prayer for college students, near and far:

Lord God, whether unloading boxes into dorms or prepping study spaces at home, protect the students, faculty, and staff who will navigate college campuses and give them wisdom. Wherever students land this Fall, may the prayers of the righteous launch them into this next season. Father, bless their good aspirations and remind each one that You have already made them to succeed! Guide them to the campus or nearby church that you have already chosen and when they feel homesick, remind them that their home church will always have a seat for them.

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Prayer for parents and working adults:

Heavenly Father, halfway into August, began to fill up —new schedules, Fall appointments, school and work-related deadlines, and meetings. Rest Your merciful hand upon parents, guardians and caretakers. Grant ease of mind and reassurance that You are smiling upon them. Lord, though it’s challenging to prevent worship from slipping to the bottom of the list, speak into their spirits that You alone are the anchor that keeps everything else from overwhelming them. You watch over their days and nights. Urge them to come tired and/or distracted; come transparent in heart; exactly as they are and revive them in Your presence.

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Prayer for empty nesters and seniors:

Lord God fill the quieter house with Your abundant Spirit as the season turns. Meet each empty nester and senior where only You know their true need is.  Touch the roots of their lives and grant health and vigor; water and refresh them. When the leaves outside begin to let go, I pray they do not retreat but accept your invitation to lean in to worship—to new friendships, to molding a compassionate, godly next generation. Root them in a faith that is less hurried and more settled. Grant them excitement about a new season of being seasoned along with all of the Body of Christ. Mold empty nesters in Your wisdom, Your steadiness, Your Presence—the Church needs it now more than ever.

 

Autumn will arrive in time. The light will shift, the air will carry coolness, the pace of life will increase a bit. Yes, Autumn will unfold and God willing we will all see it– but in this moment right here and now, Jesus extends this simple invitation: Grab your cross. It has enjoyed Summer with you, now come and continue along into tomorrow with Me.

Peace to you,

Pastor Catherine