Prayer for May 25-31, 2014 

Sermon Text: John 14:15-21

That our lives may move in step with your lead

Christ Jesus, we long to be faithful servants who hear and obey your word with gladness.  Help us to listen!  Help us to act with creative and courageous faith!

We rejoice that we have received the Holy Spirit as Advocate and Companion, who is with and within us, to help us to live as people of truth.  Comfort and reassure us by the Spirit’s presence.  Enable us to see You and to live the life You intend for us—life transformed by the power and love of God.

May your Holy Spirit enable us to see more fully the unity between You and the Father and between You and us, so that our lives move in step with your lead.  

We devote ourselves to You through obedience to your commands.  We love You and receive your love with hearts that are wounded but open to your presence and healing action.  Amen.

Prayer for May 18-24, 2014 

Sermon Text: John 14:1-14

That we may love, heal, restore and liberate in Jesus’ name

God of all, we rejoice that You have revealed yourself to us in Christ Jesus.  We rejoice that You have drawn us to yourself, made us your own, and prepared us for enduring life in your presence.

We thank You for Jesus’ surprising promise that his disciples would do greater works than he did, and we rejoice that Christ’s followers have often been agents of healing and liberation, touching millions and millions of lives with your life-giving love.

We also acknowledge, with sorrow and shame, that many who claim to follow Jesus have acted as agents of hatred, destruction and bondage.  Forgive us when we act in such ways.  Transform us!

Erase any doubts that You are able to do your work through us.  Enable us to believe and receive Jesus’ promise in fresh ways.  Enable us to act as Jesus did.  Enable us to love, heal, restore and liberate in Jesus’ name and for your glory.  

We ask because Jesus has promised to answer our prayer.  Amen.

Prayer for May 11-17, 2014

Sermon Text: John 10:1-10

That we may flock to You in gratitude

Christ, our Shepherd, we rejoice that You have come to us to tend us and guide us.  We rejoice that You have called us each by name and that You have enabled us to recognize your voice and enabled us to distinguish it from the voices of impostors who would call us to our ruin.

Forgive us when we are enticed by those deceiving voices!  Call us back to You!

Thank You for providing the way of salvation for us.  Thank You for leading us to that which truly nurtures us and for making it possible for us to live life that is filled with all of the goodness that You desire for us.  

All that we have that is truly meaningful and valuable comes from You.  We come to You in gratitude as your own flock.  Amen. 

Prayer for May 4-10, 2014

Luke 24:13-35

That we may see your body as we share broken bread

O Christ Jesus, forgive us!  It does not take great catastrophe and shattered hopes for us to fail to see your presence and action in our lives.  The simple drone and buzz of our ordinary days are enough to keep us from perceiving that You are alive among us and that You are walking with us in the midst of both our joys and our sorrows.

Forgive us!  Teach us from your word!  Give us understanding!  Enable us to see more clearly the presence of your reign and the effectiveness of your authority among us.  

Enable us to see your body as we eat broken bread with thanksgiving.  Let resurrection joy fill our hearts and propel us into the world for glad witness and service.  Amen.