"For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Luther's Small Catechism defines prayer as "an act of worship wherein we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him."  

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-8

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philemon 4:6-7

Please pray for the following who are ill or have special needs and concerns, and remember to thank Him when He has healed them:

Pete Asjes, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Lucille Friday, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Alexa Jennings, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Art Robinson, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Jarred Shockley, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Travis and Joy Simpson, members of Christ Lutheran Church

Praise God for our members and friends celebrating birthdays in February:

February 1, Gary Franklin
February 1, Mary Lee Franklin
February 1, Becky Jennings
February 1, Rudi Rushing
February 2, Sharon Trang
February 3, Renee Rittiluechai
February 5, Ken Schoppa
February 6, Shane Gentry
February 6, K. T. Kothmann
February 6, David Morgan
February 6, Asher Redd
February 6, Gary Schwede
February 7, Forrest Edwards
February 7, Calvin Lemon
February 7, Kevin Woelfel
February 8, Sally Jarrett
February 8, Diane Meyer
February 10, Joyce Kuhl
February 11, Pam Kennedy
February 12, James Holland
February 12, Jennifer Zimmerman
February 14, Han Ratliff
February 16, Eunice Korinek
February 18, Lori Meyer
February 18, Wanda Seaberg
February 19, Marsha Diers
February 20, Debbie Hedgcoth
February 20, Tate Woelfel
February 21, Pramila JES'Son
February 21, Krista Rogahn
February 22, Ryan Hedgcoth

Give thanks for another year of married life for:

February 2, Cliff and Jennifer Wilson
February 6, Danny and Roxie Sammons
February 12, Jack and Becky Meeks
February 14, Ken and Marty Albright
February 14, Weldon and Dena Spears

Finally, the Prayers of the Church for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany:

Rejoicing in Christ, our Light, the Lord of mercy, who has come to reconcile us to the Father, let us pray for the people of God, for those who have requested our prayers, and for the world to which Christ has been given; that we all may know the fullness of His grace.

In peace let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    That our Lord of mercy, who called and sent the holy apostles to proclaim the good news of His salvation to all the world, would continue to raise up faithful pastors and preachers who will proclaim His name and work with integrity, purity, and truth; that He would protect them and us from all false doctrine and error; and that He would lead us and all those who hear their Word and preaching to receive it for what it is: the Word of forgiveness and life in our gracious God and Savior, Christ Jesus; let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    That our Lord of mercy, who in the days of His flesh among us gave signs of His authority by healing those who were in any distress of mind and body, would give His compassionate aid to those who in our time suffer from mental illness, clinical depression, post-trauma disorders, and any other affliction, and that He would comfort them in their suffering, uphold them in His mercy, and grant them deliverance according to His good and gracious will; let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    That our Lord of mercy, who through His cross broke the power of the devil and made captivity captive, would give His almighty aid to those who suffer from the assaults and temptations of the devil, exposing these lures as the deceits of the father of lies, delivering those afflicted by them from their allure, and leading them into all truth through Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    That the Lord of mercy, who showed compassion to all who were sick, would show His compassionate aid and healing to the ill whom we now commit to His merciful care, [especially those named above]; that He would remember them in mercy, as well as those unknown to us who are in need of our prayers, that they may receive from His hand the aid, courage, and help they need; and that He would strengthen and encourage the doctors, nurses, and health professionals who care for the sick among us; let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    That our Lord of mercy, who brought us into His eternal kingdom of life and truth, granting salvation freely by His grace, would be pleased to strengthen us through the holy and blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood; that by it He would grant us forgiveness of our sin, as He has promised; and that through it He would embolden our faith in Him, enlarge our love for one another, and encourage our confession of Him and His salvation; let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    That our Lord of mercy, who knows everything we need even before we think of it, and who answers us even before we pray, would graciously hear our prayers and grant us the things for which we pray; that He would graciously deliver us from all our enemies; that He would lead us to worship and adore Him without fear; and that He would keep us in His steadfast love and faithfulness and deliver us amid our temptations and afflictions by His great might; let us pray to the Lord:
    Lord, have mercy.

    Into Your hands, O Lord of mercy, we entrust all for whom we pray, trusting You for Your great and abundant mercy, which You have revealed and made known in the person of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

    Amen.

Adapted from prayers published by the Commission on Worship, LC-MS, and used by permission.
The background music on this page is "Amazing Grace"