Prayer for November 30-December 6, 2014 

Sermon Text: Mark 13:24-37

That we may be prepared to see and worship You in your glory 

Christ Jesus, we await your return with hope, even though the signs that your return is near may shock and terrify many people.

Help us not to get caught up in the fruitless activity of trying to predict the time of your return, but give us discernment that we may act wisely in what may be the latter days.  

Help us to be alert for your presence each day.  Help us to be wise stewards of the resources You give us to use for your glory.  Help us to be vigilant and faithful in completing the tasks You have assigned to each of us.  Keep our hearts and minds focused on You and on your loving, reconciling desire for all of creation.  Prepare us to see and worship You in your glory.  Amen.

Prayer for November 23-29, 2014

Sermon Text: 25:31-46 & Ezekiel 24:12-16, 20-24

That our heart and hands may be open in compassion and generosity

God, we have experienced your loving care in many ways.  We want to assume that we are among those sheep whom You have rescued, gathered, healed, nurtured and given rest in your watchful presence.  We acclaim You as our Good Shepherd.

Let us not undermine our own identity as your flock, your people, by our responses to those whom Jesus identifies as his brothers and sisters, those who look to him in their weakness and need.  Let our hearts and hands be open in compassion and generosity for others as You have been compassionate and generous to us.

Help us not to narrow our sights and narrow our definition of who is “worthy” of compassion and generosity.  Help us to remember that we were lost and helpless when you gathered us to yourself.  Enable us to act with love to sister, brother, neighbor, stranger and enemy.  Give us the heart and mind of Christ so that we may serve others in gladness.  Prepare us to receive and share the inheritance that is ready for your compassionate ones.  Amen.

Prayer for November 16-22, 2014

Sermon Text: Matthew 25:14-30 

(but also drawing upon Psalm 90, Zephaniah 1, and 1 Thessalonians 5)

That we may be prepared for Christ’s return

God, we thank You for the promise that Jesus, who died and is risen, will return to reign forever and ever.  We thank You that your reign will come on earth as in heaven.  We devote all that we are and all that we have to You, even as we commit ourselves to love our neighbors as ourselves.

But at times we fear your judgment.  We fear that our dependence upon our wealth and our misuse of the resources you have entrusted to us will lead to our rejection.

Forgive us when we are gripped by fear.  Forgive us when we fail to be faithful stewards of the many gifts You have given us.  Enable us to be bold and creative stewards of your many gifts.  

Continue to instruct us in your ways.  Continue to remind us that You want us to share your joy, that You want us to experience your salvation, and that You consecrate us for your own purposes.  Remind us that we are children of light and children of the day, and enable us to live as light in this world that is so full of darkness.  Enable us to live our entire life in fellowship with Christ Jesus, so that when your day arrives, we may hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Amen.

Prayer for November 9-15, 2014

Sermon Text: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

That we may be steadfast in our fidelity to You

Jealous and compassionate God, we rejoice in all that You have done in the history of Israel, through Christ Jesus, in the history of Christ’s church, and in our own lives.  You are our Creator and Savior.  You bless us with many gifts.  You walk with us through the joys and sorrows of our existence.  You are faithful beyond telling.

Enable us to be faithful to You.  Help us to stop hedging our bets about whether or not You are an adequate provider.  Help us to stop looking elsewhere for our security and fulfillment.  Help us to stop believing that other gods, whether we call them gods or not, can provide what we really need for a life that is abundant and fruitful.  Help us to reflect your holiness by holy living.

Forgive us when we turn from You, even if it is for just a moment.  Enable us to trust You without hesitation.  Enable us to trust only You for all that is essential.  

You are our God.  There is no other God.  We commit ourselves to You forever.  Amen.

Most weeks, my prayers relate to the gospel for the day or another key reading. The prayers for this week related more specifically to our congregation and our 125th anniversary celebration.

Litany of Thanksgiving:

Leader: God, you have been our dwelling place for all of our generations

People: and we rejoice in you.  

Leader: We lift our thoughts, voices and hands to you,

People: and give you all of our praise.

Leader: You have been our source of new life:

People: calling together those who formed this congregation,

Leader: staying with our predecessors through conflict and turmoil,

People: walking with them through the fire,

Leader: giving hope in the midst of loss,

People: enabling sacrifice and generosity,

Leader: providing wise and dedicated leadership,

People: generating new vision, and instilling love.

Leader: We acknowledge your faithfulness to your people Israel, to the church of 

            Jesus Christ throughout the ages, to our predecessors at St. Nicolai, and 

            to us.

People: We rejoice in you!

Leader: We acknowledge that you have given us many good partners or our 

            journey.

People: We praise you with joy!

Leader: We acknowledge that everything good that we have experienced has 

            been your gift to us.

People: We thank you with hearts full of gratitude!

Leader: We acknowledge that you are continuously surprising us by your 

            goodness to us.

People: We celebrate your unfailing love!

Leader: We acknowledge that you are the one who brings new life among us 

            in many forms.

People: Though many of us are growing old, you still enable us to soar 

            like eagles, to run without growing weary, and to walk without 

            growing faint.

All:       All of our rejoicing, all of our praise, and all of our thanksgiving 

            are for you, God, our Creator and our Redeemer.  Amen.

Prayer for Healing:

Leader: God of mercy, show your healing power among us.

People: Heal our bodies of every sickness.

Leader: Heal those who mourn

People: Particularly the family of our sister, Edith Snyder, who was buried 

            Thursday.

Leader: Heal our hearts whether they have been wounded by love or hatred.

People: Heal every broken relationship that we endure with pain and 

            bitterness.

Leader: Heal the hurts that we have done to each other.

People: Enable us to repent of the injuries we have caused.

Leader: Enable us to forgive those who have injured us.

People: Heals any hurts that exist between us and our guest 

            congregations.

Leader: Heal the hurts that keep rising up out of our past.

People: Heal our relationship with the Chicago Metropolitan Association 

            and the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Leader: God, we long to live fully in the liberation and peace that you desire for 

            us.

People: Let your healing Spirit move among us!  Amen.