Prayer for February 23-March 1, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 5:38-48

That we may act with creative love for our enemies

Loving God, fill our hearts with your love so that we follow your example and obey Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for those who reject us and make our lives difficult.  Let your love flow out of our lives in kind acts that bring your goodness upon those who oppose us.

Enable us to forsake vengeance.  Enable us to practice generosity and hospitality even when deprived or burdened by others.  Let us pray in heartfelt  hope that You will heap good upon those who have treated us spitefully.  Fire our imagination to practice love through bold and creative action.  

We want to be like You by practicing generosity to many, even those who forcefully resist and oppose us.  Loving Father, transform us.  Enable us to fulfill the holy purpose for which You have created us.  Amen.

Prayer for February 16-22, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 5:21-37

That we may receive untiring assistance from your Spirit

You whose command is the way of life, we want to offer You our modest obedience.  We want to do just enough.  And we think we can manage that.

Then . . . Jesus declares that You desire fidelity that is challenging and complete—every emotion, impulse, desire, word, thought, imagination, and action bound together in a single response of glad obedience.

We cannot manage this!  We need massive and untiring assistance from your Spirit in order to trust and obey these commanding words of wisdom. 

Help us!  Do not give up on us!  Keep transforming our lives so that they become a more complete expression of joyful trust and obedience that honors your name.  Amen.

Prayer for February 9-15, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 5:13-20

That we may season and shine in obedience

God, keep us salty! 

     Help us preserve the world in which we dwell,

     and add flavor where life has become distasteful

     and displeasing to You.

God, keep us shining!

     Help us act boldly and creatively, in many good

     works, so that others may see your presence

     shining, in and through our lives, and praise

     You.  Enable us to be a bright, hilltop city

     where others may find rest, refuge and

     restoration from chaos and confusion.

God, guide our obedience!

     Enable us to hear, comprehend, and obey your

     word of instruction each day.  Energize us, by

     the Spirit of Christ, to practice and teach your

     word in complete fidelity and whole-hearted

     joy.  Amen.

Prayer for February 2-8, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 5:1-12

That we may witness to and extend your blessing

God of all creation, as we listen anew to the words Jesus preached as your new prophet, in a new context of imperial domination and exploitation, we take hope.  For how can it be that all whom he names are blessed unless You are at work, in hidden ways, to make it so?

You give your realm to those who have no hope of earning it or obtaining it for themselves;  You comfort those who mourn;  You give the earth to those who will not seize it by violence;  You satisfy those who hunger for your justice to be done;  You show mercy to those who act mercifully;  You reveal yourself to those who desire You above everything;  You identify as your children those who create peace;  You welcome into your realm those who are persecuted for pursuing your righteousness.  

You!  You!  You!  You are at work creating a life of blessing for those who seem anything but blessed.  We rejoice in your generous intention and praise You with joy.  Amen.