Sunday, October 26, 2014

Prayer for October 26-November 1, 2014
Sermon Text: Matthew 22:34-46

That our questions will help us align our lives with You

Jesus, when we ask questions of You, let them not be raised in a spirit of cynicism or resistance, but with the intention of learning from You, walking with You, and aligning every aspect of our being with You.

We rejoice in your faithfulness to your own heritage that expected complete and energetic devotion to God coupled with energetic and loving response to the needs of neighbors.  

Enable us to practice loving action that arises from hearts that are shaped by your word for us and your presence among us.  Let our love for God and our love for our neighbors reinforce each other for a deepening practice of fidelity.  Help us to give ourselves to You without reservation.  Amen.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Prayer for October 19-25, 2014 
Sermon Text: Matthew 22:15-22

That we may be transformed by the truth of Jesus’ teaching

God, prevent us from being among those who claim to honor the integrity, independence and truth of Jesus’ teaching, while resisting him, strenuously, in our hearts and minds.

Soften our hearts to receive Jesus’ presence.  Open our minds so that we may hear and be transformed by the truth of Jesus’ teaching.  Move us beyond any verbal or mental jousting with Jesus, so that we may fully recognize him as Agent of your reign among us and may follow him in utter devotion to You, so that You receive all of the devotion, loyalty, obedience and honor that You are due.  

With the help of your Holy Spirit, we gladly put our whole selves, and every resource that You have provided, at your disposal for your good pleasure.  Amen.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Prayer for October 12-18, 2014 
Sermon Text: Matthew 22:1-14

That we may set aside any obstacle to celebrating at your great banquet

O God, how often do we disdain your gifts because we have created our own personal and corporate agendas that have little to do with you?  How often we seem ignorant of the great invitation You have given us to feast at your table and dwell in your presence.

We choose lesser satisfactions and miss the great privilege You offer.  We choose business and busy-ness over communion with You and with each other.

Forgive us.  Give us a clear understanding of what You offer.

We realize that we have been invited to your banquet because others have refused to come.*  Prevent us from acting in the same foolish, bullheaded way.  

Let us come into your presence with gladness.  Let us sing your praise with joy.  Let us feast with You in the friendship You have offered to us and made possible.  Help us to set aside any obstacle to celebrating your generosity in your presence and rejoicing in the marriage of Christ and his church.  Amen.  

*This statement is true in the context of the parable.  However, God's intention to bless all peoples is expressed, in scripture, as early as his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Prayer for October 5-11, 2014 
Sermon Text: Matthew 21:33-46

That we will not confuse stewardship and possession

God, our Creator, the earth and its fullness are yours.  The covenants of blessing and peace are yours.  We rejoice in You!

But sometimes we confuse ourselves and conclude that we are lords—conclude that we are more than stewards—and attempt to possess all things for ourselves.  Somehow we conclude that we can have the best of everything without You.

How fooolish we are when we claim what is yours for ourselves.  How foolish we are when our hearts and hands turn to violence in order to keep what You have entrusted to us as stewards.  How foolish we are when we reject the compassionate, generous, peacemaking way of Jesus for anxious grasping after more.

Forgive us for our foolishness.  Forgive us when we choose anxious grasping over thoughtful reception of your bountiful gifts.  

Make us faithful in holiness, compassion, generosity and love as we welcome Jesus’ presence, authority and gifts in every dimension of our lives.  Amen.

Prayer for September 28-October 4, 2014
Sermon Text: Matthew 21:23-32

That our whole lives may say “Yes” to Jesus

God, we rejoice in Jesus’ unity with You that was expressed through a life of glad obedience; single-minded pursuit of your mission of redemption, liberation, healing and peace; authoritative teaching that exposed each heart to your truth; and decisive action that demonstrated that your sovereign reign is present among us, in Jesus, even now.

Do not allow us to question Jesus with hearts and minds that are hardened to the truth, but help us to ask the questions that enable us to align our lives more fully with Jesus’ instruction and call upon our lives. 

Enable us to walk with Jesus in faithful obedience, even in those moments when we are not particularly inclined to do so.  Prevent us from saying “Yes” to Jesus with our mouth and then “No” to Jesus with our hands and feet.

Do not let our religious practices get in the way of deep devotion, but let them stimulate greater devotion to You.  Enable us to be repentant, to turn to You, when Jesus’ word calls us to newness.  Amen.

Prayer for September 21-27, 2014 
Sermon Text: Matthew 20:1-16

That your glad welcome will characterize us

O God, we rejoice in You and in your unexpected and extravagant generosity.  We rejoice that You bestow abundant blessing and peace upon all who turn to You, all who follow Jesus in lives of glad and free obedience.

We rejoice that You make no distinction between those of us who began to walk with Jesus in the early days of our lives and those who joined the journey in the midst of their lives, or even in their later years.  

Let your glad welcome become characteristic of us too.  Help us to rejoice together in You.  Keep us from jealousy or judgment toward one another.  Stir us to praise whenever the ranks of those who follow Jesus swell in number and swell with praise to You.  Amen.