Prayer for May 31-June 6, 2015 

Sermon Text: John 3:1-17

That our lives may bear the enduring quality of your presence and reign

Jesus, we have heard your instruction and seen your work among us, and have recognized that You are truly sent from God.  But we are not satisfied with such knowledge.  We want to know You more completely as You continue to reveal yourself to us through the presence and instruction of your Spirit.

We have experienced a measure of the transformation that may take place in and among us as your Spirit blows in energetic and uncontrolled ways through our lives.  But we are not satisfied with the present condition of our hearts and minds.  We want to experience the transforming work of your Spirit more completely.  We want to be endowed with all of the fruit of your Spirit, not for our own glory or satisfaction, but so that You may be glorified in our lives on a daily basis.  

We believe You.  We believe in You.  Deepen our trust in You.  Let us live lives that are infused with the enduring quality of your presence and reign.  Amen. 

Prayer for May 24-30, 2015

Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-21

That our hearts and speech will be ignited for loving witness

God of all, open our hearts to your presence.  Let your Spirit roar into our lives.  Ignite our speech for bold witness about your wonders.  Set our hearts on fire with love for our neighbors.  Break down every barrier to communication—those that have arisen from our diversity, as well as those we have created out of fear.

We do not pray only for ourselves, but ask that You continue to pour your Spirit on all of your people everywhere.  And we pray that through the bold preaching of the church of Jesus Christ people will turn to you, in great numbers, from every nation and every people group in the whole world.  

May many people call upon your name in hope and find salvation in You.  Amen.

PRAYER FOR May 17-23, 2015

Sermon Text: John 17:6-19

That we may be more completely filled with your joy 

Jesus, we rejoice that out of your own unity with God, You have revealed God to us and revealed that we belong to God.  By your faithful action and loving service You have enabled us to believe that You were sent by God.  You have enabled us to obey God in trust because we have learned to trust You.       

Thank you for keeping us secure in your love.  Thank you for binding us together in unity with each other, with You, and with God the Father.  Let nothing disrupt the unity that You have created among us.  Enable us to cultivate that unity by our own self-giving acts of service and love.  

We thank You for the joy You have given us and ask that You fill us more completely with your joy as we serve one another and tell the world about You.  Protect us from every form of evil as You set us apart for God’s purpose.  Amen.

PRAYER FOR MAY 10-16, 2015

Sermon Text: John 15:9-17

That we may bear lasting fruit for your realm

Christ Jesus, we rejoice in your love!  We rejoice that You have made your desire for the reconciliation and renewal of all things known to us.  We celebrate the fact that You have called us friends.  And we are grateful that You did not turn away when You were required to give up your life for your friends.  We thank You for the bountiful joy that we have experienced as we have tried to live within the circumference of your love.

We gladly obey your commands (most of the time), but pray that You will nurture, prune and energize us for obedience in those parts of our lives where we are still resistant to what your love requires of us.  

Enable us to love each other and give ourselves for each other on a daily basis.  Enable us to “bear lasting fruit” for your enduring reign among us. 

May the world see our love for each other and be drawn to you.  Amen.

PRAYER FOR MAY 3-9, 2015

Sermon text: John 15:1-8

That we may abide fruitfully in You

Christ Jesus, we rejoice that our lives are inextricably bound up with yours.  We rejoice that You are our true Source of energy.  We rejoice that as we remain closely linked to You that you enable our lives to bring forth the fruits of obedience, righteousness, and holy character.  We pray that our obedience will draw others to You.

We open our lives to God’s work among us.  We invite God to prune away those parts of our lives that are already dead, or that otherwise interfere with the fruitfulness You make possible.  

Let everything we do be done in honor and obedience to You, and for the enlargement of your reign among us.  We rejoice to be yours!  Amen.