Prayer for June 22-28, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 10:24-39

That reverence for God will overcome fear of opposition

Jesus, we delight to serve You and learn from You as your disciples.  We know that as we follow You, we are not exempt from the resistance, opposition and persecution You faced.  We may be as vulnerable as sheep among wolves, but we will follow your example by refusing to meet opposition with insult and violence.

Help us to be more like You.  Help us not to be afraid of those who oppose the message You give us, but enable us to speak the word You whisper to us with courage and openness.

Let our reverence for God overcome any fear we may have of those who oppose your word.  Enable us to trust in God’s presence and help with the assurance that God places great value on our lives.

We acknowledge You, publicly, and trust that You will continue to be our Advocate in God’s presence.

We place highest priority on our relationship with You and place all other relationships within the framework of fidelity to You. 

We accept whatever cross of suffering You call us to bear in your name, even as we devote our whole life, and every resource, to You, our source of life that is abundant and real.  Amen. 

Prayer for June 15-21, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 28:16-20

That we may go where You lead with enthusiasm and energy

Christ Jesus, we rejoice that God has raised You to life and given You authority over all of creation.  We hopefully await the day when your authority is fully acknowledged and faithfully heeded in a renewed heaven and earth.

Help us to respond to your authority by glad obedience and love.  Enable us to fulfill the commission You have given us.  Give us enthusiasm and energy to go where You lead us.  Help us to internalize your word, and your example, so that we may teach others your ways.  Give us the privilege of baptizing many in your name, so that they may live for your glory.  

We hold fast to your promise of unbroken companionship as we witness in your name.  Amen.

Prayer for June 8-14, 2014 

Sermon Texts: Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23

That we may live as your free and energetic witnesses

     God, our Creator and Redeemer, we rejoice in the gift of your Spirit that You have given so generously to all who follow Jesus.  We rejoice when it is given in quiet moments as Christ reveals himself alive and present with us.  We rejoice, also, in the dramatic moments that amaze with sound and signs that baffle us even as they energize us.

     Since You have given your Spirit so freely and fully, we want to live as your free and energetic witnesses and servants in the world.

     Give us understanding of what You are doing among us.  Enable us to interpret our experience in the light of the scriptures that You have inspired.  Unleash our tongues so that we may declare your wonders, so that others may perceive your glory, turn to You, receive your promises, and participate in the abundant life of salvation.  Amen.

Prayer for June 1-7, 2014

Sermon Text: John 17:1-11

That our belief and faithful action will bring glory to You

Jesus, we thank You for your prayer for your disciples.  Since we too have been called to follow You by the words of apostles, preachers, teachers, and friends through whom You spoke, we know that your prayer is also for us, and we rejoice.

We acknowledge your authority over our lives and rejoice in the eternal life You have given to us as You have revealed and enabled us to know the Eternal One.

We rejoice that You completed your work of redemption and that God has glorified You in our presence.  We pray that what You have accomplished will become more fully evident in this world that we inhabit.

When moments of doubt arise, deepen our assurance that You have spoken truth to us.  Protect us from the world that constantly threatens the unity that You have created among us.  

May our belief and faithful action bring glory to You.  Amen.