Preaching Text: Luke 12:13-21
That we will be freed from greed
Generous God how easily we forget You and forget our neighbors when you bring abundance into our lives. As we prosper, we think more and more about our own pleasures and our own leisure. As we prosper, we become less satisfied with your many gifts and anxious to obtain more. We do not see the subtle ways that greed has grown in our hearts and become our master.
We identify more and more with what we possess, and fail to see how that impoverishes our relationship with You and blinds us to the presence and needs of our neighbors.
Forgive us Gracious One. Break the chains of greed that lure us away from You and isolate us from our neighbors. Enable us to live in thankful and generous gratitude. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Prayer for July 25-31, 2010
Preaching Text (Luke 11:1-13)
That prayer will shape our lives
Christ, your Spirit has taught us to pray and has been present with us as we prayed, but we are slow to learn to match our lives to the words we pray. Let the words we pray breathe through every moment of our lives.
We pray that God’s name will be honored even as we use God’s name as though it were a magical formula for our success or a stamp of approval for our choices. Let prayer shape us for complete devotion that honors you.
We pray for daily provision even as we fret about the adequacy of our large supplies of food and material goods. Let prayer free us from anxiety to trust in You.
We pray for forgiveness even as we cling to many memories about wrongs that have been done to us. Though we have excluded some who offended us, from our lives, we assume that You will embrace us and hold us close. Let prayer soften our hearts to forgive others as You forgive.
We pray that You will not lead us into temptation, even while we glance this way and that at the instant pleasures the world offers, and as we linger in reveries of desire. Let prayer unify every aspect of our lives as a grateful response to your freely given gifts. Amen.
That prayer will shape our lives
Christ, your Spirit has taught us to pray and has been present with us as we prayed, but we are slow to learn to match our lives to the words we pray. Let the words we pray breathe through every moment of our lives.
We pray that God’s name will be honored even as we use God’s name as though it were a magical formula for our success or a stamp of approval for our choices. Let prayer shape us for complete devotion that honors you.
We pray for daily provision even as we fret about the adequacy of our large supplies of food and material goods. Let prayer free us from anxiety to trust in You.
We pray for forgiveness even as we cling to many memories about wrongs that have been done to us. Though we have excluded some who offended us, from our lives, we assume that You will embrace us and hold us close. Let prayer soften our hearts to forgive others as You forgive.
We pray that You will not lead us into temptation, even while we glance this way and that at the instant pleasures the world offers, and as we linger in reveries of desire. Let prayer unify every aspect of our lives as a grateful response to your freely given gifts. Amen.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Prayer for July 18-24, 2010
Preaching text: (Luke 10:38-42)
That we may discern the time to listen and the time to labor
God of all, we want every aspect of our lives to be ordered around our devotion to You. We want to honor You in everything.
Amid the complexity of our lives, give us discernment of those moments when listening, learning, waiting, focused prayer and rest are needed. Guide us, also, in those moments when vigorous and coordinated action are required to answer your call.
Forgive us when we use learning and prayer as an excuse to avoid good works, and when we use good works as an excuse to avoid learning and prayer. Help us shape every aspect of our lives as grateful worship. Amen.
That we may discern the time to listen and the time to labor
God of all, we want every aspect of our lives to be ordered around our devotion to You. We want to honor You in everything.
Amid the complexity of our lives, give us discernment of those moments when listening, learning, waiting, focused prayer and rest are needed. Guide us, also, in those moments when vigorous and coordinated action are required to answer your call.
Forgive us when we use learning and prayer as an excuse to avoid good works, and when we use good works as an excuse to avoid learning and prayer. Help us shape every aspect of our lives as grateful worship. Amen.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Prayer for July 11-17, 2010
Sermon text: Luke 10:25-31
That we may be true neighbors
God of mercy and compassion, deepen our love for You and for our many neighbors. Help us to see and respond to those who are hurting, even if there are risks and costs to our response. We want to be neighbors to those who might otherwise have no neighbor to come to them and help them in their hour of need.
Forgive us when we try to use our devotion to You as a justification for walking past our injured neighbors. Forgive us for claiming to love You even as we define other people as beyond the scope of our love, and beyond yours as well.
Soften our hearts. Give us sensitivity to those around us, especially those who cannot even cry for help. Give us a generous spirit. Enable us to act in obedience and do that to which You have called us and for which You have prepared us by your own love. Amen.
That we may be true neighbors
God of mercy and compassion, deepen our love for You and for our many neighbors. Help us to see and respond to those who are hurting, even if there are risks and costs to our response. We want to be neighbors to those who might otherwise have no neighbor to come to them and help them in their hour of need.
Forgive us when we try to use our devotion to You as a justification for walking past our injured neighbors. Forgive us for claiming to love You even as we define other people as beyond the scope of our love, and beyond yours as well.
Soften our hearts. Give us sensitivity to those around us, especially those who cannot even cry for help. Give us a generous spirit. Enable us to act in obedience and do that to which You have called us and for which You have prepared us by your own love. Amen.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Prayer for July 4-11, 2010
Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14
That we may welcome your prophets
We do not care for prophets much, Knowing One, but You send them anyway.
They come with words of warning that undermine our self-confidence and complacency. They call us to repentance when we believe we are without guilt. They challenge our fears and show us the insignificance of the threats that cause us to tremble. They offer comfort and generate hope when circumstances suggest that hostile powers control our lives. They declare bold promises that challenge us to trust You fully. They speak in imaginative ways about the new world of peace and hospitality and righteousness that You are creating by your own design and initiative.
You are are nearer than we imagine. Give us ears to hear your word when you send your prophets among us. Give us wisdom to respond with repentance and courageous faith. Amen.
That we may welcome your prophets
We do not care for prophets much, Knowing One, but You send them anyway.
They come with words of warning that undermine our self-confidence and complacency. They call us to repentance when we believe we are without guilt. They challenge our fears and show us the insignificance of the threats that cause us to tremble. They offer comfort and generate hope when circumstances suggest that hostile powers control our lives. They declare bold promises that challenge us to trust You fully. They speak in imaginative ways about the new world of peace and hospitality and righteousness that You are creating by your own design and initiative.
You are are nearer than we imagine. Give us ears to hear your word when you send your prophets among us. Give us wisdom to respond with repentance and courageous faith. Amen.
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