Dear Church, it is with outmost thankfulness that I am incredibly humbled by all the love and support you have showered upon our high schoolers.  It is because of those things that you have made possible for them to attend the LCMS National Youth Gathering in Houston, TX, July 8-14.  This week for them will be memorable, impactful, and above all faith forming.  Thank you!

Each night of the Gathering, July 9-12 and the morning of the 13^th the mass event and worship will be livestreamed.  Tune in with us each time by going to https://lcmsgathering.com!

In our traveling and staying there, we ask you to remember us in your praying.  Please pray that we are kept safe from harm and danger, and free to love and learn Christ throughout the event. But also, here’s a daily prayer guide to keep us connected with you in the One Person Who is our Head (Colossians 1:18a):  Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead.

Friday, July 8

Dear Jesus, by Your gracious hand are all things made possible.  Thank You for making way the opportunity for our youth to attend the National Youth Gathering.  Today they make their flight to Houston, transport to the hotel, and check-in for the night.  Please bless and keep safe all the youth and adult leaders.  Enable the traveling to be unburdensome and free from delay.  Throughout the week, shelter them in the midst of COVID and deliver them from sickness.  Thank You Lord.  Amen.

Saturday, July 9

Gracious Father, today Faith Youth will be checking in and registering for the Gathering.  Thank You for all the LCMS leaders and volunteers who put so much love and effort to make this event happen every three years.  Give them patience and joy as they welcome all the congregations scattered across the country coming together in this one place.  With our youth, there is a lot of anticipation and mystery to what is all going to happen.  Open the eyes of their hearts Lord to see Your body the Church at large, beautiful and adorned with Your glory as we all gather for our first mass event this evening at Minute Maid Park.  Thank you Father.  Amen.

Sunday, July 10

Holy Spirit, You call, gather, and enlighten Your people to be strengthened by the hearing of Your Word.  This morning the youth and adult leaders will be going to their first morning Bible study and throughout the day attending various devotional sessions to grow in their faith.  May Your presence among them fill them with joy.  Thank You that they have the means by Your gracious hands to be given their daily bread.  Keep them hydrated and healthy.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Monday, July 11

Loving Lord Jesus, You command us to serve as we follow You.  Thank You that as the youth and adults spend their time in Houston they have been given the opportunity to do a service project within the greater city.  When they go out for service, fill them with Your joy, love, and strength.  Keep them safe, hydrated, and cool in the Texas summer heat.  At the end of the day, when they are tired, allow the hearing of Your Word at the mass event this evening to give them true peace and rest.  Jesus, You are truly kind in all Your commands.  Thank You.  May You be glorified in our following and seeking You.  In Your Name we pray, Amen.  

Tuesday, July 12

God and Father of us all, this is the last full day of the Gathering.  Some of the group may be exhausted.  Some may not want this to end.  Through it all, we ask Your blessing of perseverance to rest on them and all who are in attendance at the Gathering.  The leaders, volunteers, and participants.  Through the continuing Bible study, devotional sessions, and free play, work in them that incredible gift of saving faith.  Lift up their hearts in worship to You.  Fill them with excitement in the praises and songs that will be sung to glorify the Name of Jesus through Whom we pray, Amen.

Wednesday, July 13

Lord Jesus Christ, this morning is the day in which You will gather thousands upon thousands of Your people to hear Your Word and receive the blessed Sacrament of Your body and blood.  You fed thousands who were hungry with bread and fish during Your earthly ministry.  Now because You reign on high with the Father and the Holy Spirit You continue to feed the multitude of Your Church the forgiveness of sins with Your own body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine.  How Great Thou Art!  May this worshipful moment be a continual source of remembrance for our youth and adults that in You all things are held together.  And because You love us so much Jesus, You hold us the closest.

When the worship ends and the youth and adults have some free time, may their time together be relaxing and unifying.  Thank You Jesus, Amen.

Thursday, July 14

Ever reigning and guiding Holy Spirit, today the youth and adults make their way back home to Naples.  Keep them safe and free from harm in their traveling.  May the schedules be on time.  Bless their journey back to their homes with Your peace and safe guidance.  Above all we ask You to stay and remain in their hearts.  That though the Gathering has ended, they may not cease to gather together each week at Faith in worship and High School group every Sunday.  Thank You for this time you gave, the memories made, and the faith You worked.  Lead us all by Your Word and light closer to the One Who is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  In Him we pray all these things, Amen.

Thank you Faith family.  Jesus loves you and so do we.