Prayer for May 27-June 2, 2012 

Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-21

That our lives may make manifest your power and glory

God of all people, we rejoice that You fulfilled your promise to Israel when You sent your Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus who were gathered together, at Pentecost.  We rejoice that You made no distinction between male and female, young and old, but sent your Spirit upon all who trusted Christ, eventually breaking even the barrier between Israel and the nations, in order that You might reveal yourself to all people and bring all people into unity through Christ.

God, we rejoice in the way your Spirit enabled communication and enabled your presence and power to be revealed through the preaching and action of Jesus’ followers.

Most of all, we thank You that You have given your Spirit to us, that we may testify, too, to all that You have done through Christ Jesus, and that You might be glorified in our lives.  Let the great gift of your Spirit coordinate every aspect of our lives so that they manifest your power and glory in the world.  Amen.

Prayer for May 20-26, 2012 

Sermon Text: John 17:6-19

That we may be wholly fit and set apart for You

God of all, we rejoice that You have revealed yourself to us in Christ Jesus.  We rejoice that You act generously toward us in Christ.  We rejoice that You have enabled us to believe and act in faith.  We rejoice that Jesus has prayed for us and sought your protection for us.  We rejoice that You have shaped our lives for unity that reflects the unity Jesus experienced with You.

God, we thank You that You have given us your word and filled us with the joy of Christ.  Shape our lives so that they are wholly fit and set apart for your service.  We are yours, only yours!  Enable us to carry on the work that Jesus initiated in obedience to You.  Let our obedience bring glory to the name of Christ Jesus and to You, who with the Holy Spirit, live in eternal unity.  Amen.

Prayer for May 13-19, 2012 

Sermon Text: John 15:9-17

That we will be yours in every fiber of our being

Christ Jesus, we rejoice in the depth of your love for us.  You have called us “Friends.”  You have instructed us in your ways and your wisdom.  You have chosen us to bear enduring fruit of righteousness and love.  You have promised that our prayers will be answered.  You have given your life for us that we might live.

O, energize and guide us as we remain in your love by obeying your commands.  Fills us with your joy.  Enable us to love each other with the same tenacious, sacrificial love You demonstrated for us.

We would be yours, not only in word, but in every fiber of our being and in every movement, every action we take.

We desire that every moment of our lives be a moment in which we praise You.  Amen.

Prayer for May 6-12, 2012 

Sermon Text: John 15:1-8

That everything that weakens our connection to You may be removed from our lives

Christ Jesus, we rejoice in You.  We rejoice that our lives are inextricably connected to yours.  We have no life apart from You.  We can do nothing apart from You.  Apart from You, we are withered, fruitless, dead.

Cut away everything in our life that weakens our connection to You.  Cut away all that is withered and fruitless.  Prune all that is selfish and without meaning.

Clear the way for our lives to surge with new growth, new energy, and abundant fruitfulness.

We want all that we do to demonstrate that we are your followers and to bring glory to You.  You are everything to us, and we our yours.  Amen.