Sermon Text: Matthew 6:24-34
That we will trust You without anxiety
Our Sovereign and Provider, enable us to trust You without anxiety. Enable us to serve You with undivided hearts.
Help us to recognize, in the world You have created, the abundant provision You have made for us. You have fed us, clothed us, sheltered us. Help us to remember that You place great value on our lives. In Jesus, You have sought us as your own and claimed us for your realm of righteousness.
Forgive us when our anxiety tempts us to believe that money is our true source of security and peace, and when it diverts our attention and energy from serving You.
Give us wisdom and courage not to worry. Shatter the mastery of money over our lives. Enable us to focus all of our energy in grateful service to You. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Prayer for February 20-26, 2011
Sermon text: Matthew 5:38-48
That your wholeness and glory will shine through us
You who love your enemies, we want to be like You. But how easily we are roused to anger and contemplate revenge. How quickly we would wreak havoc on those who have taken advantage of us, injured us, or oppressed us.
In Jesus, You call us to love our enemies—love those who abuse us, love those whom it is a great challenge for us to love. Just so, we are taught, we express our likeness to You who are Father and Mother to us. Just so, Jesus says, we express a wholeness that reflects your own wholeness.
Forgive us for our inclination toward revenge. Forgive us for quickly identifying others as our enemies. In your mercy, transform us. We know that we are unable to shape our own lives to mirror your own. But You are able to restore your image in us. You are able to shape us as bearers of your own love. You are able to let your wholeness, your glory, shine through our lives. Do so now. We ask through Christ Jesus who embodied your fullness among us. Amen.
That your wholeness and glory will shine through us
You who love your enemies, we want to be like You. But how easily we are roused to anger and contemplate revenge. How quickly we would wreak havoc on those who have taken advantage of us, injured us, or oppressed us.
In Jesus, You call us to love our enemies—love those who abuse us, love those whom it is a great challenge for us to love. Just so, we are taught, we express our likeness to You who are Father and Mother to us. Just so, Jesus says, we express a wholeness that reflects your own wholeness.
Forgive us for our inclination toward revenge. Forgive us for quickly identifying others as our enemies. In your mercy, transform us. We know that we are unable to shape our own lives to mirror your own. But You are able to restore your image in us. You are able to shape us as bearers of your own love. You are able to let your wholeness, your glory, shine through our lives. Do so now. We ask through Christ Jesus who embodied your fullness among us. Amen.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Prayer for February 13-19, 2011
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:21-37
That our desires and action will reflect your own
Holy God, in Christ Jesus You have called us to a life of disciplined obedience. You have called us beyond the barest minimum of obedience to devotion that marshalls every thought and desire for faithful response to You. You command reconciliation in place of anger, insult, and murder. You command fidelity in place of lust, adultery and divorce. You command fierce removal of sin from our lives. You command speech that is direct and clear rather than evasive and manipulative.
In Jesus, You call us to righteousness that sometimes seems excessive to us and that exceeds our best intentions and abilities. But your call upon us reflects your own holiness. And your expectation for us is linked to your own generous presence by your own energizing Spirit.
Because your command is linked to your promise and your enabling Presence, we are able to live faithfully as we trust in You. Let every desire of our heart reflect your desire for us. May our every act reflect your action on our behalf. You are our Source and Fulfillment, we trust in You. Amen.
That our desires and action will reflect your own
Holy God, in Christ Jesus You have called us to a life of disciplined obedience. You have called us beyond the barest minimum of obedience to devotion that marshalls every thought and desire for faithful response to You. You command reconciliation in place of anger, insult, and murder. You command fidelity in place of lust, adultery and divorce. You command fierce removal of sin from our lives. You command speech that is direct and clear rather than evasive and manipulative.
In Jesus, You call us to righteousness that sometimes seems excessive to us and that exceeds our best intentions and abilities. But your call upon us reflects your own holiness. And your expectation for us is linked to your own generous presence by your own energizing Spirit.
Because your command is linked to your promise and your enabling Presence, we are able to live faithfully as we trust in You. Let every desire of our heart reflect your desire for us. May our every act reflect your action on our behalf. You are our Source and Fulfillment, we trust in You. Amen.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Prayer for February 6-12, 2011
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13-20
That we may be the people You have created us to be
God our Creator, we praise You for your goodness to us and answer to your call upon us. You have invested us with qualities and energized us for actions that may preserve, heal, enhance, and illuminate the world You made. You have situated us where our neighbors may praise You because of our good works.
Forgive us for the many ways that we diminish the distinct flavor You give to our lives. Forgive us, also, for the many ways that we dim or extinguish the light that You have placed within us. Enable us to be, boldly, what You have made us to be, so that your praise will be undiminished.
Enable us to live your righteousness, fully, by the same Spirit who enabled Christ Jesus to be the perfect embodiment and fulfillment of your Word. Enable us to instruct others in righteousness with grace and joy. Let us share the blessing and beauty of your generous reign as obedient and faithful servants. Amen.
That we may be the people You have created us to be
God our Creator, we praise You for your goodness to us and answer to your call upon us. You have invested us with qualities and energized us for actions that may preserve, heal, enhance, and illuminate the world You made. You have situated us where our neighbors may praise You because of our good works.
Forgive us for the many ways that we diminish the distinct flavor You give to our lives. Forgive us, also, for the many ways that we dim or extinguish the light that You have placed within us. Enable us to be, boldly, what You have made us to be, so that your praise will be undiminished.
Enable us to live your righteousness, fully, by the same Spirit who enabled Christ Jesus to be the perfect embodiment and fulfillment of your Word. Enable us to instruct others in righteousness with grace and joy. Let us share the blessing and beauty of your generous reign as obedient and faithful servants. Amen.
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