Preaching text: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
That we may grasp the truth your prophets declare
Mysterious One, sometimes You ask of your people that which seems contrary to all wisdom, common sense, or even sanity. You speak, and those most sensitive to your voice act in ways that puzzle us, but that also point beyond apparent facts to deeper realities that are part of your intention for your people.
Where defeat looms,You declare victory. Where death threatens, You promise life. Where violence runs amok, You announce peace. Where hope has dissolved, You speak a new future.
We may be no more likely to listen to your prophets than your people in other eras have been. Send them to us anyway. Send them with bold speech that tears down dead structures and offers new creation. Enable us to grasp the truth we hear and to respond with courage as covenant partners in the new thing you initiate among us for our liberation, creation’s healing, and your own glory. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Prayer for September 19-25, 2010
Preaching text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
That praying for peace will shape us to contribute to peace
Listening God, enable us to be faithful and frequent in our prayer, especially for those in authority whom we are more likely to criticize and dislike than to pray for. As we pray, shape our lives so that we may be good neighbors who foster peace by reflecting your character.
Let your desire that all people be liberated from sin and deceit motivate our responses to our many neighbors. We want to be agents of your healing, your forgiveness, your rescue, your peace.
We want to walk with Christ and share the mind of Christ, who was willing to set aside all that he could claim in order to touch people with your liberating kindness and fill people with your empowering Spirit.
In your mercy, let our lives contribute to your creation of a world that is healed and at peace. Amen.
That praying for peace will shape us to contribute to peace
Listening God, enable us to be faithful and frequent in our prayer, especially for those in authority whom we are more likely to criticize and dislike than to pray for. As we pray, shape our lives so that we may be good neighbors who foster peace by reflecting your character.
Let your desire that all people be liberated from sin and deceit motivate our responses to our many neighbors. We want to be agents of your healing, your forgiveness, your rescue, your peace.
We want to walk with Christ and share the mind of Christ, who was willing to set aside all that he could claim in order to touch people with your liberating kindness and fill people with your empowering Spirit.
In your mercy, let our lives contribute to your creation of a world that is healed and at peace. Amen.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Prayer for September 12-18, 2010
Preaching text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
That memories of your goodness will give us boldness to give ourselves to You
Merciful One when we look back on our lives, it is often easy to see many ways that we resisted and opposed You and acted in ignorance or rebellion. In our stubbornness, we refused You and went our own way, often hurting others in the process. How our hearts would ache if we could remember only this!
But we also remember that You have flooded our lives with grace, faith and love. You have drawn us to You. You have freed us from deadly habits and destructive opposition to your word. You have acted with unexpected patience toward us. And You have called and enabled us to minister to many other people out of your own great love.
We praise You! We rejoice in You! We offer ourselves as fully as we can, hoping that our lives will declare your honor and glory without ceasing. Amen.
That memories of your goodness will give us boldness to give ourselves to You
Merciful One when we look back on our lives, it is often easy to see many ways that we resisted and opposed You and acted in ignorance or rebellion. In our stubbornness, we refused You and went our own way, often hurting others in the process. How our hearts would ache if we could remember only this!
But we also remember that You have flooded our lives with grace, faith and love. You have drawn us to You. You have freed us from deadly habits and destructive opposition to your word. You have acted with unexpected patience toward us. And You have called and enabled us to minister to many other people out of your own great love.
We praise You! We rejoice in You! We offer ourselves as fully as we can, hoping that our lives will declare your honor and glory without ceasing. Amen.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Prayer for September 5-11, 2010
Preaching text: Philemon 1-21
That we may live our identity as your liberated people
Liberating and transforming God, we worship You with joy because of your history of bringing change to both people and circumstances. You have freed us from sin and You have transformed our lives, little by little, so that they reflect your glory, in some measure, to the world around us.
Sometimes our lives seem trapped in destructive patterns of behavior and old identities that do not represent the work You have done in us. Sometimes we are fearful and unsure about how to live fully into our identity as your rescued and empowered people. Sometimes other people, including people of faith, seem like obstacles to our experience of freedom and our call to serve You with all that we are.
Unify us. Help us to be advocates for our sisters and brothers who live in bondage of any kind. Help us to speak a word of loving challenge to any who might insist on clinging to personal advantages that keep others in bondage and that undermine filial relationships in the church of Jesus Christ. Give us discernment for the moments when such speech is necessary.
We rejoice in You in the name of Jesus who is our Advocate and Liberator. Amen.
That we may live our identity as your liberated people
Liberating and transforming God, we worship You with joy because of your history of bringing change to both people and circumstances. You have freed us from sin and You have transformed our lives, little by little, so that they reflect your glory, in some measure, to the world around us.
Sometimes our lives seem trapped in destructive patterns of behavior and old identities that do not represent the work You have done in us. Sometimes we are fearful and unsure about how to live fully into our identity as your rescued and empowered people. Sometimes other people, including people of faith, seem like obstacles to our experience of freedom and our call to serve You with all that we are.
Unify us. Help us to be advocates for our sisters and brothers who live in bondage of any kind. Help us to speak a word of loving challenge to any who might insist on clinging to personal advantages that keep others in bondage and that undermine filial relationships in the church of Jesus Christ. Give us discernment for the moments when such speech is necessary.
We rejoice in You in the name of Jesus who is our Advocate and Liberator. Amen.
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