Sunday, February 26, 2012

Prayer for February 26-March 3, 2012

Sermon Text: Psalm 25:1-10

That we will learn your ways and keep your covenant


Covenant Maker, we come before You with all that we are, knowing that we are dependent upon You for every good thing. Encourage and strengthen us. Protect us from treachery, shame and attack. Teach us your truth and enable us to trust the truth You reveal to us without hedging our responses.

You are our only source of hope. You are the one who forgives us, and we turn to You, constantly, for forgiveness. Discipline us and enable us to abandon our rebellious ways. Help us respond to your instruction with humility and obedience, so that we may walk in the light that you shine before us.

You have always been faithful to us, in spite of our unfaithfulness. Transform our fickle hearts. Enable us to be faithful covenant partners. Amen.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Prayer for February 19-25, 2012

Sermon Text: Mark 9:2-9

That we will respond to your glory with courageous faith

God of Glory, You have shown your own glory, repeatedly, through Jesus Christ. We have seen your glory in healed bodies and liberated spirits. We have seen your glory in life restored and in power given for courageous faithfulness.

We have not seen the dazzling radiance of the mountain of transfiguration, but your glory has surrounded us no less clearly. And, like the disciples in Jesus glorious presence, we have been fearful and we have proposed to do what seemed appropriate to us when what was needed of us was an attentive ear and diligent and eager obedience.

Calm our fears. Enable us to respond with courageous faith to the glory we encounter through the reading of your word, through worship with your saints, through observation of your creation, and through energetic service in the world with others who have been empowered by your glorious presence with them. Amen.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Prayer for February 12-18, 2012

Sermon Text: Mark 1:40-45

That our compassion will link others to your healing presence

Compassionate God, we rejoice in You. We rejoice that in Christ Jesus You were willing to move past every barrier that separated You from your beloved creatures. You overcame our sin. You overcame our sickness and disease. You overcame spiritual powers that bound and limited us. You overcame the fear of contamination that often stands in the way of compassionate action.

You met us where we are—in all our need—healing, liberating, and enriching us in unexpected and delightful ways.

As your healed and liberated children, enable us to speak freely and boldly about all that You have done for us. Enable us to draw close to those who seem to be contaminated and from whom others recoil in fear. Let your great compassion for us enable us to respond with compassion that links others to your healing presence. We rejoice in every opportunity You give us to be your agents of good news. Amen.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Prayer for February 5-11, 2012

Sermon Text: Mark 1:29-39

That we may be liberated agents of your freedom

Master of our lives, Sovereign among us, we rejoice that your presence among us was a demonstration of the healing power of your reign. We rejoice that neither sickness nor demonic possession could frustrate or defeat your purpose. We rejoice that You are Healer and Liberator and that You have healed and liberated us by your generous and compassionate presence.

Forgive us for our habit of submitting to forms of bondage that You have already defeated in our lives. Forgive us when we stubbornly refuse to accept the renewal and freedom that You always offer to us. Move us to readiness for your healing action.

Heal us now. Heal us again. Bring wholeness to our bodies and our minds and to all of creation. Defeat every form of bondage that we have chosen for ourselves, whether we know it or fail, so far, to perceive it. Make us liberated agents of your freedom. Amen.