What it means to Love a person with Alzhiemer’s

Posted on September 16, 2011 by admin

After being thoroughly disgusted by Pat Robertson’s comments on divorcing people with Alzheimer’s I had to cleanse my mind with the words of this very honorable and Godly man….

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I also invite you to consider these wise words from Russell Moore found in the recent article entitled “Christ, the Church, and Pat Robertson“. In this article Moore challenges the idolatrous teaching of Robertson and the lie that goes by the name of “the prosperity gospel“, while reminding us how marriage should point us to Jesus:

Marriage, the Scripture tells us, is an icon of something deeper, more ancient, more mysterious. The marriage union is a sign, the Apostle Paul announces, of the mystery of Christ and his church (Ephesians 5). The husband, then, is to love his wife “as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). This love is defined not as the hormonal surge of romance but as a self-sacrificial crucifixion of self. The husband pictures Christ when he loves his wife by giving himself up for her……

A woman or a man with Alzheimer’s can’t do anything for you. There’s no romance, no sex, no partnership, not even companionship. That’s just the point. Because marriage is a Christ/church icon, a man loves his wife as his own flesh. He cannot sever her off from him simply because she isn’t “useful” anymore……….

Jesus tells us he is present in the weak, the vulnerable, the useless. He is there in the least of these (Matthew 25:31-46). Somewhere out there right now, a man is wiping the drool from an 85 year-old woman who flinches because she think he’s a stranger. No television cameras are around. No politicians are seeking a meeting with them.

But the gospel is there. Jesus is there.

 

 

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Great advice on being a Christian parent

Posted on September 14, 2011 by admin

girl covering eyes

 

I recently came across an article entitled  Homeschool Blindspots that highlights some of the joys and sorrows of being a Christian parent. I shared the article with several people and I was surprised by how strongly they responded to what the author was saying. Because so many people have found this article to be helpful I decided to share it with the wider congregation. Although I can’t think of any homeschooling families in this congregation, the basic principles that the author lifts up are applicable to anyone who has children or works with young people. I would love to hear what you think about this article.

Please click Here to read the article

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37 Ways to Love One Another

Posted on August 19, 2011 by admin

Here is a nice article on how to love one another from Paul Tautge at COUNSELING ONE ANOTHER

A local church is not built by one man, or even a few men, but by every believer being actively involved in ministry through evangelizing the lost people in their lives and serving their fellow Christians. A quick glance at the practice of the New Testament church reveals that they thought very little about programs and very much about relationships.

Consider the disciple-making that would naturally take place in the life of a local church if every believer would practice the loving, one-another ministry that the early churches first read about in the instructions they received from the apostles:

  1. Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10).
  2. Give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10).
  3. Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16).
  4. Accept one another by withholding judgment (Rom. 14:1).
  5. Accept one another by showing deference (Rom. 14:1–5; 15:7).
  6. Esteem [highly regard] one another in love (Rom. 14:5; Phil. 2:3).

To read the rest of the article go HERE.

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Gail and I Celebrate 25 years of Marriage Today

Posted on August 16, 2011 by admin

Gail and I celebrate 25 years of marriage today. Gail is tenderhearted, compassionate, generous, brilliant, passionate, faithful, hard working, and has an incredible sense of humor (but she rarely reveals that goofy side of herself in public). Gail epitomizes the Wife of Noble Character (Proverbs 31:10-31) and I thank God that I get to have her as my best friend.

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Pictures from the Church Trip to the Brewers Game

Posted on August 13, 2011 by admin

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Update on Aaron Mutter and the Burlington All Stars

Posted on August 6, 2011 by admin

Aaron Mutter, the son of our church secretary Shelly Mutter, is on the Burlington All-Star team that is attempting to make it to the Little League World Series. Burlington lost a close one to Indiana, 5 to 4 this afternoon. This puts Burlington in a three way tie for second place with a 1 and 1 record. Aaron the other Burlington boys play Ohio tomorrow night at 7pm. You can keep up with the Burlington team at the official Little League site by clicking HERE. If you click on the “Scoreboard” tab and push the “Gamelive” button you can see live games stats. Some of the games will be televised on ESPN.

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Lincoln Lutheran in Need of Volunteers

Posted on July 14, 2011 by admin

At Lincoln Lutheran of Racine, our sole purpose is to honor God by serving people. We are privileged to serve older adults in Southeastern Wisconsin by providing housing, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, assisted living and a wide variety of community services.

With locations in both Racine and Burlington, our Adult Day Services Program is designed to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of older adults by providing an environment that complements each participant’s unique lifestyle. Our skilled and compassionate staff members, along with our safe and home-like surroundings, help to make each day special for our guests and their caregivers. We offer services for bathing and grooming, medication management, scheduled activities and family-style afternoon meals and snacks.

Our Burlington Chestnut Club location (165 W. Chestnut St., Burlington) is in need of volunteers this August. Assistance is needed with set up and clean up for lunches and cooking of afternoon meals. Help is needed Monday-Friday within the times of 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. With the gracious help of volunteers, the Chestnut Club is able to save money and purchase games and activities for our residents.

Our activities and services are guided by our values of compassion, honesty, respect, teamwork and financial integrity. The success of Lincoln Lutheran would not be possible without the help of volunteers and the support of our community. To fulfill our values and accomplish our goals of serving older adults, we need the help, dedication and enthusiasm of caring individuals from your parish.

If you are interested in volunteering at Lincoln Lutheran of Racine’s Chestnut Club, please contact Karen Dunn, Chestnut Club Manager, at 262-661-4740 or kdunn@llor.org.

Sincerely,
Lincoln Lutheran of Racine Central Office
2000 Domanik Dr.
Racine, WI 53404
(262) 633-0500

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Thanksgiving in July Pictures

Posted on July 11, 2011 by admin

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All-Ages Vacation Bible school – Everyone is Welcome!

Posted on July 9, 2011 by admin

Come to one — or come to all  — it’s free!

Sunday July 10   – 10:30 AM-Noon

The theme for the day is “Thanksgiving in July”‘. The Bible story is how Jesus healed the Lepers. Please joinus for fun and iunch of Turkey and Fixins’ at noon’we will be writing thank you cards for the troops and need all the help we can get. :)

Sunday July 31   –  10:30 AM-Noon

The theme for the day if “Living Waters”. ‘The Bible story is Jesus’ baptism and how we receive life through him. Lunch will-be Tacos and Mac & Cheese. We will be Tie-Dyeing T-shirts and having water games.

Sunday August 21 – 10:30 AM

The theme for the day is “Feast”. The Bible story is how Jesus fed 5,000. Lunch will be a potluck picnic. VBS will supply the hamburgers, hot dogs, and buns. We will have many games and tons of fun’

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Palm Sunday Processional "donkey walk"

Posted on April 12, 2011 by admin

  Peace Lutheran’s annual Palm Sunday Processional “donkey walk” will be this Sunday, April 17th. Come and shout out loud Hosanna’s as we recreate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  Instead of meeting at Echo Park,  we will meet at the old Lynch parking lot, which is just south of the church on Hwy. 36, at 8:30 AM.  We should arrive back at church just before our 9:00 service. You can leave your cars at the Lynch parking lot during the service if you would like. 

  Once again the donkey will be coming to us courtesy of Kettle Moraine Ranch from Eagle, Wisconsin.  Kettle Moraine Ranch suffered lots of damage due to the tornado last summer, including the death of many of their animals.  We are thankful they are still willing to bring a donkey to us.  You can check out all the ranch has to offer at www.kettlemoraineranch.com.

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Sermon reflection for Sunday March 27: Jesus frees us to be open about our struggles, and to encourage one another.

Posted on March 29, 2011 by admin

Vasari_The_Garden_of_GethsemaneAt a recent confirmation class I was teaching the students about what it meant for Jesus to be both fully human and fully divine. It’s important for us to remember that in being human, Jesus was vulnerable, or open, to being wounded, hurt, and tempted. Because Jesus was as fully human as you or I, he experienced the horror of death, and that horror was compounded by the fact that unlike us, he knew had been perfectly obedient to God’s commands, and he didn’t deserve to die. The preacher who wrote Hebrews was able to encourage his congregation in the midst of a great persecution with the good news that Jesus not only understands our struggles with sin and death, but he embraced our struggles for us, and won the battle that we could not: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15).

We were blessed to have some parents sitting in on the class at that time when the subject turned to the issue of vulnerability. The parents really wanted to get the kids thinking about what it means to be open about our struggles in this life. It was a wonderful conversation that touched on issues of love, infatuation, our fear of looking weak, and the confidence we can have when we look to Jesus Christ to tell us who we are rather than to other kids. After the class I was struck by the fact that it’s really easy for adults to encourage their kids to be open with their struggles, and it’s very hard for adults to admit their own vulnerability. I think Jesus was opening the way for us to share our struggles when he told Peter, James, and John: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38). Jesus was filled with sorrow as he faced the cross, and in the midst of his sorrow he sought out the companionship of his disciples. While his disciples failed him in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, as always, was faithful to them, and he endured great suffering for their sake. The obedience of Christ frees us up from the fear of shame and death so that we can share our struggles with one another, and encourage one another in our times of trial.

Reflections
In Galatians 6:2, the apostle Paul reminds the members of the congregation
to “Bear one another’s burdens.” Here the apostle paints a picture of a person who is trying to carry a load of difficulty on his back. Paul encourages us to step in and come under that load, so that some of its weight and pain can be shifted on to us. How comfortable are you with the idea of sharing your burdens with others? What keeps you from being open about your struggles with your brothers and sisters in Christ? How comfortable are you with sharing other people’s burdens? Notice that in Galatians 6:1-3 this sharing of burdens is related to gently restoring others from the consequences of sin. It’s fairly easy for us to help others when we see them as innocent victims of circumstance, but it’s very difficult for us to make sacrifices when we see they are simply experiencing the consequences of their selfish choices. How easy is it for you to reach out and help people when you see them as guilty? What are some of the sins you struggle with? What are some of the bad things you tend to do? What are some of the good things that you don’t do? What difference does it make that Jesus Christ suffered and died for your sins? In what ways does the fact that Jesus took on your burdens free you up to reach our and support others?

God’s word consistently commands us to encourage one another (Thessalonians 5:4-11). The Greek word for encouragement is parakaleo, a compound word that means to: 1) come along side “para,” and to 2) call “kaleo.” You can understand what the word means when you imagine someone joining you and and cheers you on as you undertake a very difficult journey. In what ways does this image of life as a journey fit for you? In what ways do you need encouragement? Who are the people in your life that would profit from your presence and support?

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Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Night with the Milwaukee Brewers! Milwaukee Brewers v. Colorado Rockies – Saturday, May 21, 2011; 6:10p.m.

Posted on March 29, 2011 by admin

Good Afternoon.   My name is David Corey, I am on the Racine county chapter board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  The date has been set for this years Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity game. We look forward to your participation in the fun event.  Last year the chapter had limited involvement in the game but we are looking to be more active in promoting a great day of fellowship, cheering the Brewers on and trying to save some money by doing our eating at the tailgate party.
Several of the Thrivent Reps have offered to coordinate the tailgate get together and pay for the Brats/Dogs and beverages.   Last year about 80 individuals from the Burlington, Waterford and Union Grove area got together and had a great time.  

Date: May 21st, 6:10 pm Game time.
Brewers Vs Rockies
Gates open at 4:10 for admission and tailgating if desired.
There are several churches getting together prior to the game and tailgating.  Anyone interested in a tailgate party should email Joanna.vos@thrivent.com for more information.
All Ticket requests and payments need to be received by April 22nd (Good Friday) at Gods Peace, David

Milwaukee Brewers v. Colorado Rockies
When: Saturday, May 21, 2011; 6:10p.m.
Where: Miller Park
What: Discounted ticket prices! Register Today!

 ORDER FORM – must be received before April 22nd!

(A) Field Outfield Box: # of tickets _____ x $35.00 = $_______

(B) Loge Outfield: # of tickets _____ x $25.00 = $________

(C) Loge Bleachers: # of tickets _____ x $20.00 = $________

(D) Bernie’s Terrace: # of tickets _____ x $13.00 = $________

(E) General Parking Pass: # of passes ____ x $8.00 = $_______

(F) Preferred Parking Pass: # of passes ____ x $13.00 = $______

TOTAL: $________ [Add (A) thru (F)]

Name: _____________________ Phone #: _________________

To register, send us the order form, along with a check made payable to the Racine County Chapter of Thrivent Financial and a self addressed, stamped envelope to: Joanna Vos, 400 N. Pine St., Burlington, WI 53105.

Questions? Call Joanna Vos at (262) 806-7390 or e-mail Joanna.vos@thrivent.com

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Sermon reflection for Wednesday March 23, 2011: Jesus frees us up to share our stuff

Posted on March 29, 2011 by admin

It is a basic fact of life that we find our identity, sense of security, and the meaning of our lives in our god(s). Martin Luther said it well in his discussion of the first commandment (You shall have no other gods.):

What is God? Answer: A god means that from which we are to expect all good and to which we are to take refuge in all distress, so that to have a God is nothing else than to trust and believe Him from the [whole] heart; as I have often said that the confidence and faith of the heart alone make both God and an idol.  If your faith and trust be right, then is your god also true; and, on the other hand, if your trust be false and wrong, then you have not the true God; for these two belong together, faith and God. That now, I say, upon which you set your heart and put your trust is properly your god.  

Anything can become a false god, or an idol. I have seen people who have spent their lives clinging to things like beer, cars, fishing, number of Facebook friends, weight, grades, looks, church attendance, boyfriends/girlfriends, and even the cleanliness of their living rooms to tell them who they are and that life is meaningful.

One of the blessings of our current economic recession is that it has forced a lot of people to recognize the ways in which they have wrongly put their trust their jobs, incomes, and pensions/401Ks. I call this a blessing because too many people have made their work and the idea of a “comfortable” retirement the organizing principle of their lives, so much so that they allow themselves to be enslaved by jobs that they hate and that are killing them with stress. But as we have seen time and time again, jobs and money will always end up being cruel and deadly slave masters if you allow them to define who we are and where we are headed. The only thing we can ultimately count on is the one God who reveals himself in Jesus (Hebrews 13:5).

In the gospel text from Matthew Jesus challenges us to see the ways in which we have made financial security a false God and he draws our attention the ways that God cares for us and provides for our deepest needs. When the Spirit leads us to focus on what God has done in Jesus Christ were free to get rid of those false gods that will always end up failing us, and we are freed up to focus on the salvation that comes with the kingdom of God. With our hearts and minds clinging to Jesus we will find meaning, purpose, joy, and a sense of direction for our lives – forever and always – no matter how much, or how little, money we have in the bank.

Reflections:
Jesus frees us from our need to depend on the opinions of others and as a result we can share our space with one another. In places like 1 Peter 4:7-11 and Hebrews 13:1-6 we are encouraged to share our homes with those who need a meal or a place to stay. What is it like for you to welcome people into your home? What do you hope that people will think and feel when they visit you? In what ways have you made other people’s opinions about your house cleaning habits or your sense of style an idol? One of the defining characteristics of a truly warm welcome is that the guest feels that their presence is a joy and not a burden. As you think about welcoming people in your homes, focus on the ways in which Jesus has been generous and welcoming to you just as you are and see how that focus on our Lord’s hospitality effects your own.

Jesus frees us from our need to depend on money for a sense of identity and security so we are freed up to share our money and stuff with one another. In Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37, and Acts 5:1-11, we see how the early followers of Jesus “sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need“.  The Scriptures are clear in teaching us that God gives us resources like money and property so we can be a blessing to our neighbor. God’s word paints a beautiful picture of how the people of God gave generously to support one another out of gratitude, not out of compulsion by the church or the government. Notice that when God condemns Ananias and Sapphira it’s not because they didn’t give enough money to the church, rather, they are judged because they were trying to look good by lying about how much money they were giving. Notice as well that the apostle Peter is reminding us that what we have belongs to us and we are responsible for how we use it: The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. (Acts5:4). How often are you tempted to make money and success idols? In what ways are you tempted to make your giving an idol? How often are you resentful that other people have more money and power than you do? How often are you tempted to condemn other people for not giving their “fair share”?  What are you afraid of? In what ways do your anxieties keep you from loving God and loving other people? What can your brothers and sister in Christ do to support you as you strive to make wise decisions about how to give your stuff away? Think about the generosity of Jesus – in what ways does Jesus free you to give your time and money to those in need?As you read about the early church and their life together what lessons do you think we can learn in terms of the relationship between worshiping Jesus as a community and generously sharing our “stuff”?

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Sermon reflection for Sunday, March 20, 2011: Jesus frees us to really reach out to each other!

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

PictJesusWashFeetThe gospel lesson from John demonstrates how Jesus Christ fulfills God’s plans in very tangible,  flesh and blood ways. Jesus does not lecture his disciples about the symbolic importance of humility and service, rather he literally becomes a servant to his disciples and washes their feet as only a slave would do. Jesus is not content to simply speak about loving our enemies, he literally washes the feet of Judas, the one who would betray him. Jesus is not content to speak about the importance of sacrifices to reconcile a holy God with sinful people, rather Jesus literally becomes the final and perfect sacrifice that brings about peace with God, and one another, when he dies on the cross.

In the Old Testament when something was holy, or set apart for God, it was considered too dangerous for mere sinful humans to see or touch. Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, was so holy that anyone who touched the mountain was to be put to death (Ex 19:12-13). The Temple in Jerusalem was built around an inner sanctuary, the  Holy of Holies, which only a select few priests could enter, and then on very special occasions. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a radical reversal of all of the Old Testament prohibitions against drawing close to the holy. In the Old Testament, mere mortals approached the holy things of God with fear and trembling, because as sinners they were not worthy; with Jesus Christ, the Holy God Himself is physically reaching out to sinful people, to heal them, serve them, and make them holy.

In the same way that the first disciples were overwhelmed, and “touched”, by the fact that Jesus was actually reaching out to them and serving them as he washed their feet, we too are invited to experience the joyful dismay that comes as we realize that Jesus is literally reaching out to us, setting us apart, making us holy, and making us worthy to do his will in the world. When Jesus Christ speaks to us in his word  and when he literally offers up his flesh to eat and his blood to drink in the Lord’s supper, he is at work liberating us to love and serve others.

Reflection:
One of the great struggles we sinners have is to actually act on our good intentions. We have so many considerate thoughts and warm feelings that rarely get lived out in the lives of the people that God is sending our way. What are some of the ways that you struggle with actually reaching out and demonstrating warmth and affection to others?

There are a remarkable number of references in the New Testament to “greeting one another with a holy kiss.” (see 1 Peter 5:12-14 and Romans 16:16 ). The kiss was given on the cheek or forehead and it represented the  warm and affection that we might communicate with a firm handshake or an arm around the shoulder. Notice how these admonitions generally come at the end of a long discussion of what Jesus has done for us. How does focusing on the ways that God takes the initiative in saving us and making us his disciples change the way you look at building relationships with other people? How have you understood holiness? Is holiness based on the kind of behaviors you don’t do or is holiness more about who God is, and how God is revealed in Jesus? How do you think your attitude towards such visible signs of affection might be different if you thought about them as ways that God passes on holiness and actually creates this community that the Bible describes as the “body of Christ”? Some people are worried about sharing the peace because they are concerned about passing on contagious illnesses – what difference would it make in your life if you saw such visible signs of warmth and affection as a way of passing on a “contagious holiness”?

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And invitation to help the pastor grow in faith and service: Asking for Correction – Seeking Godly Help

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

Dear People …and Friends ….of Peace Lutheran
Grace to you and Peace..

I have made this request to the people, and friends of Peace, by letter and on this website in the past.  I am making this invitation again in the hope that it would enhance our shared ministry, especially as our Lenten focus is on how Jesus frees us up to experience Koinonia  or Life Together.

Christ enables us to overcome our natural tendency to resist correction and instead to learn to welcome criticism as a blessing from God and a means of personal growth.
Because I believe that constructive correction is a sign of genuine love, I am writing to ask for a favor. As you know, we all have areas of weakness, areas where we need growth in character and in the ways we relate to others. I recognize that I am a sinner who is usually blind to my own weaknesses. So I am turning to those I minster to, and with, to ask for candid advice on where I need to change and grow. I am asking you because I hope that you are committed to my ministry, the ministry of this congregation, and the ministry of the entire Body of Christ. I want to hear from you because I believe these promises: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:6), and “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness” (Psalm 141:5).

As my brother or sister in Christ, please take some time to prayerfully answer the following questions. Please don’t be afraid to wound me! I know I will not like it but your candor will help me to grow. I will take your thoughts seriously as I ask God to help me plan for spiritual growth in the months ahead.

1. What characteristics do you see in me, or what areas of growth have you recently observed in me, that enable me to serve and relate well to others and have a positive witness for Christ? (I want to thank God for the gifts and strengths he has already given me and continue to build on them.)
2. Please describe three character qualities, attitudes, or behaviors that have disappointed, annoyed, or offended you or others, or seemed to undermine my witness for Christ. Please give specific examples if you can.
3. I believe that lasting changes in behavior require genuine changes in the heart (Matthew 15:19; James 4:1). Please click HERE to read the online article Getting to the Heart of Conflict. This article explains how our desires control our behavior, and describes a biblical dynamic called “the progression of an idol.” Reading it will help you to answer the following three questions, which will help me to identify desires that may be ruling my heart.
a. What things have you seen me make idols out of? (An idol is any desire–even for good things–that I have elevated to a demand, become excessively preoccupied with, looked to for security, had to have in order to be content, or allowed to control me.)
b. How have you seen me judge or criticize you or others when my desires were not satisfied?
c. How have you seen me manipulate or punish you or others in order to get what I want?
4. If there were just one change God would bring about in me in the next six months, what would you pray it would be?
5. I know that I am dependent on God’s grace. I am in great need of God’s wisdom and encouragement, especially when I stumble. What word of promise or hope from God’s Word would you suggest that I keep in mind as I seek to grow?

Thank you for your help. Please pray for me as I seek to understand myself more fully and glorify with God as he works to free me from worldly desires and help me to be more like Jesus.

If you believe that you cannot give me this feedback directly then I invite you to send me an anonymous note or letter. While  anonymity is often a sign of great anxiety, and opens up the possibility of nurturing a grumbling or divisive spirit, I trust  God will grant me enough  patience and wisdom to process it appropriately.

Finally let us remember this admonition from the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Maranatha
Pastor Dan Vojta ..Click HERE to send me a message by email.

Address

Rev. Daniel Vojta
Peace Lutheran church
349 Wegge Ct
Burlington, WI 53105

A Conciliator’s Prayer by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries

Oh Lord God,
Today I am called to be a peacemaker, but I am unfit for the task.
By nature I am a peace-faker and a peace-breaker, so I myself need help.
Others ask me to understand and guide them, but my ears are dull, my eyes are dim, and I lack the wisdom they need.
But you, Lord, have all they need, so I come to you for supply.
Make me fit for your purposes, so I might serve them and honor you.
Cleanse me from my own sin so I will not add to their problems; 
take the logs from my eyes, so I can remove the specks from theirs.
Fill me with your Spirit so they may benefit from your fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Give me wisdom from above so I might be pure and peace-loving, considerate and submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Open your Word to my eyes and to my heart, so I will have a steady lamp 
to light our path.
Strip me of my own agenda and desires, so I might look only to others’ good and be absolutely worthy of their trust.
Help me to model everything I teach, so others can see the way.
Give me humility to admit my weaknesses and confess my wrongs, 
so others might do the same.
Draw me again and again into prayer, where you can strengthen and correct me.
Make me submissive — help me to show that I myself am under authority.
Help me to treat others as I want to be treated, so they may see the essence of your Law.
Make me creative, versatile, and adaptable so I can adjust to the surprises ahead.
Help me to accept others as you have accepted me, and thus bring praise to your name.
Give me faith and perseverance so I will not doubt your provision or abandon your principles, even when others fight against them.
Grant me the gift of encouragement, to give others hope and help them believe 
that our labor is not in vain.
Help me to model your forgiveness so relationships are healed and your Gospel is revealed.
Grant me discernment so that I may read the deep waters of others’ hearts, sort fiction from fact, and know when it’s time to act.
Give me boldness and courage, tempered with kindness, to confront others in love so they might see their errors and find their way back to you.
Help me to prepare thoroughly and not presume upon your grace.
Make me just and fair, so that even if people disagree with my counsel they will believe that I treated them well.
In short, Father, please give me the Spirit of Christ so that I might walk in his steps 
and guide your people into the path of your peace.

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