Sermon Text: Joshua 3:7-17
That we will trust You when the way before us seems impossible
You who go before us and surround us with your protection and care, we rejoice in the many wonders of your Presence and salvation.
You raise up courageous leaders and speak through them to command your people to go places and face risks that we would never choose without your guidance and your word of assurance. By your faithfulness, You enable us to trust You in the midst of the most challenging circumstances.
When we look to You and trust in You, the impossible becomes possible. The most dangerous pathways become places of quiet passage.
O, let us never forget your many acts of kindness and deliverance, or your undiminished compassion for us. We praise You with hearts full of joy! Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Prayer for October 23-29, 2011
Sermon Text: Exodus 34:1-12
That you will give us good leaders and wisdom to follow them
God our Redeemer and Provider, make your presence known to us and to those who lead us. Give the leaders of your church a clear vision of the grandeur of our inheritance in Christ, so they may communicate it clearly to us and inspire us to hope in You. Give insight and understanding for every challenge that encounters us, so they may exhort us to remain alert and fearless as we journey with You. Give your Spirit in full measure for leadership that is fully devoted to You, yet bold to admonish and intercede for your people when we act rebelliously. Give your power so that lives may be healed and liberated for service to You.
We rejoice that in every age You have raised up leaders through whom You have whispered and roared your Word, breathed your Spirit of comfort and renewal, toppled structures of injustice and erected healing ones, and showed your power to bring order from chaos and life from death.
Raise up faithful leaders among us now. Give them humble courage to lead. Give us a spirit that is willing to follow. Amen.
That you will give us good leaders and wisdom to follow them
God our Redeemer and Provider, make your presence known to us and to those who lead us. Give the leaders of your church a clear vision of the grandeur of our inheritance in Christ, so they may communicate it clearly to us and inspire us to hope in You. Give insight and understanding for every challenge that encounters us, so they may exhort us to remain alert and fearless as we journey with You. Give your Spirit in full measure for leadership that is fully devoted to You, yet bold to admonish and intercede for your people when we act rebelliously. Give your power so that lives may be healed and liberated for service to You.
We rejoice that in every age You have raised up leaders through whom You have whispered and roared your Word, breathed your Spirit of comfort and renewal, toppled structures of injustice and erected healing ones, and showed your power to bring order from chaos and life from death.
Raise up faithful leaders among us now. Give them humble courage to lead. Give us a spirit that is willing to follow. Amen.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Prayer for October 16-22, 2011
Sermon Text: Exodus 33:12-13
That we will seek your goodness for all your people
Although in our foolishness we have tried more than once, O God, we know that we can reach no meaningful destination without your presence and your guidance. Without You, we have no clear sense of our destination. Without You, we have no sure sense of security. Without You, we are uncertain of our own identity. Without You we have no testimony that speaks to the world of mercy and compassion.
O God, we are done with trying to accomplish things by our own ingenuity and energy. Forgive us for our arrogance. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for our many infidelities.
Reshape our minds. Reframe our hopes. Let us desire only You and your blessing for your people. Enable us to offer up even our own well-being so others may receive your mercy and compassion and fullness.
Let us see You and know You as fully as we can so we may exult in You together. Amen.
That we will seek your goodness for all your people
Although in our foolishness we have tried more than once, O God, we know that we can reach no meaningful destination without your presence and your guidance. Without You, we have no clear sense of our destination. Without You, we have no sure sense of security. Without You, we are uncertain of our own identity. Without You we have no testimony that speaks to the world of mercy and compassion.
O God, we are done with trying to accomplish things by our own ingenuity and energy. Forgive us for our arrogance. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for our many infidelities.
Reshape our minds. Reframe our hopes. Let us desire only You and your blessing for your people. Enable us to offer up even our own well-being so others may receive your mercy and compassion and fullness.
Let us see You and know You as fully as we can so we may exult in You together. Amen.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Prayer for October 9-15, 2011
Sermon Text: Exodus 32:1-14
That we will always remember your saving deeds and trust in You
God of wonders, how quickly we forget about You. How quickly we forget your marvelous deeds of liberation, your abundant provisions, and your wise guidance. When You seem absent and when wise leaders are not nearby, we quickly turn to old forms of enslavement and idolatry and imagine that they will insure our well-being.
Forgive us for our lack of trust in You. Forgive us for trusting ourselves or the work of our own hands instead of You. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for provoking your anger by our stubbornness.
God of mercy, restore our hearts. We would listen only to You, follow only You, serve only You, worship only You, and love You above all else. Help us today and tomorrow and all the days that follow. Amen.
That we will always remember your saving deeds and trust in You
God of wonders, how quickly we forget about You. How quickly we forget your marvelous deeds of liberation, your abundant provisions, and your wise guidance. When You seem absent and when wise leaders are not nearby, we quickly turn to old forms of enslavement and idolatry and imagine that they will insure our well-being.
Forgive us for our lack of trust in You. Forgive us for trusting ourselves or the work of our own hands instead of You. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for provoking your anger by our stubbornness.
God of mercy, restore our hearts. We would listen only to You, follow only You, serve only You, worship only You, and love You above all else. Help us today and tomorrow and all the days that follow. Amen.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Prayer for October 2-8, 2011
Sermon Text: Exodus 20:1-20
That we will gladly obey your wise instruction
Holy and wise God, in selfishness and stubbornness we are often inclined to see your commands as arbitrary and limiting. We rebel against them and act as though we are creatures without limits. We choose our own paths of independence, failing to perceive the ways that we enslave ourselves and damage both our neighbors and ourselves.
Forgive us.
Give us understanding.
Help us remember and rejoice in the truth that your laws were given to your people as part of your covenant blessing. Your law provides wise guidance. Your law enables loving responses for neighbors that allows your healing, justice and peace to flourish among your people.
Wise God, we are slow learners. Continue to teach us. We praise you for your wisdom and generosity. We commit ourselves to obedience and ask for your constant help to live as your holy ones. Amen.
That we will gladly obey your wise instruction
Holy and wise God, in selfishness and stubbornness we are often inclined to see your commands as arbitrary and limiting. We rebel against them and act as though we are creatures without limits. We choose our own paths of independence, failing to perceive the ways that we enslave ourselves and damage both our neighbors and ourselves.
Forgive us.
Give us understanding.
Help us remember and rejoice in the truth that your laws were given to your people as part of your covenant blessing. Your law provides wise guidance. Your law enables loving responses for neighbors that allows your healing, justice and peace to flourish among your people.
Wise God, we are slow learners. Continue to teach us. We praise you for your wisdom and generosity. We commit ourselves to obedience and ask for your constant help to live as your holy ones. Amen.
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