Prayer for July 28-August 3, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 11:1-13

That we will always remember that we depend upon You

Listening God, we rejoice in your invitation to prayer.  We rejoice that Christ taught his disciples to pray and we rejoice in the practice of prayer that has been cultivated in the history of Israel, and in the church, for millennia.

We rejoice that your invitation to pray is coupled with your resolve to provide good gifts that nurture and strengthen us and provide what we truly need.

Because of your invitation, we ask of You, we seek your provision, we knock upon your door as the door of our dearest and most responsive friend.

With your children throughout many generations we pray:

     Father, your name is holy. 

     Reign among us.

     Give us the food we need each day.

     Forgive our sins as we forgive all who sin against us.

     Don’t lead us into temptation. 

Open your door to us, our Dearest Friend.  Amen.   

Prayer for July 21-27, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:38-42

That we will commune with You and serve You without anxiety

O Christ Jesus, too many things distract us from attending to You and learning from You.  We become “worried and upset” about many things – including many that are good, like providing hospitality, caring for our families, and working for the well-being of our communities.

Enable us to discern between the times when You invite us to more direct communion with You, and the times when we must diligently exert ourselves for completion of the tasks to which You have called us, and for which You have equipped us.

Whether resting in communion with You, or working in obedience to You, enable us to be free from anxiety.  Enable us to focus well so that your presence and glory are always in sight, energizing love and obedience as we wait and as we work.  Amen.

Prayer for July 14-20, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:25-37

That we may practice costly love for our neighbors

O Christ, how eager we seem for your word until it challenges us to love our neighbor through bold, self-giving action.

We want to limit the field of neighborliness to that which we think we can manage: our relatives, our friends, people who look a lot like us, people who seem to share our values and commitments.

We often find it difficult to care when someone who is a stranger or outsider falls victim to brutal predators.  We often find it difficult to respond to the losses of those who are not close to us.

Compassionate God, make us alert to the trials and losses of those who have been assaulted and abandoned in ways that are beyond our experience and understanding.  Give us hearts that open to those who have been victimized.  Give us feet and hands that will walk and work for the healing of strangers.  Enable us to release our resources in loving and neighborly acts.  Amen.

Prayer for July 7-13, 2013 

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14

That we may direct others to your healing care

God of all, we rejoice that your sovereignty, your guidance, and your blessing operate outside the boundaries that we often assume for You.

     We rejoice that your knowledge, wisdom, and faith are available to people who seem insignificant in the course of human affairs, people with no status or power, unknown to us, yet known by You.  And we rejoice that such people are able to point to your presence and your provision and open doors to hope that are not otherwise visible.

     We rejoice that your healing power operates beyond the fearful control of political powers.  And we rejoice that You call and empower prophets who act for healing and peace with confidence that You are able to do all things.

     Finally, we rejoice that occasionally those with power, status and success, including some of us, are able to hear the promising voices of your servants and turn to You for healing.  Amen.