Prayer for September 27-October 3, 2015 

Sermon Text: Esther 7:1-10; 9-22

That we may perceive and respond to the threats your people face

God, how often You work in surprising ways and through unlikely people in order to bring truth to light and save your people from evil and death.

Help us to listen to the wise teachers who challenge us with their truthful words and who urge us to act with courageous faith in the face of powerful threats.  

Give us awareness of the deep threats that your people face.  As we pray for others, give us discernment of the ways that we can act in order to be agents of your deliverance.  Enable us to act with courage even when faithful action places us in danger.  And when we see your work of deliverance unfold, free us to celebrate with joyful feasting and generous gift giving that honors your presence among us.  Amen.

Note 1: I've posted early because I won't be around this weekend.

Note 2: This is not intended to encourage American Christians to overestimate the amount of persecution we face.  

Prayer for September 20-26, 2015 

Sermon Text: Mark 9:30-37

That we may follow You in vulnerability and care for the vulnerable as You did

Jesus, in spite of the power and authority you demonstrated through your wonderful works and your proclamation of God’s nearness, You walked among us in vulnerability, conscious of the hatred your goodness inspired, and of your inevitable death at the hands of those who rejected the good news You enacted on a daily basis.

In spite of the fact that You came as God’s Anointed One, You took the role of servant of all, and instructed your disciples that those who sought greatness must be servants of all.  You call us to welcome children and other vulnerable people as the way to welcome You and the One who sent You.  

Enable us to be obedient and vulnerable disciples by welcoming and serving those who are vulnerable without knowledge or choice.  As we open our hearts to those around us, may our hearts be more and more open to You, and to our Sovereign God with whom You are eternally One.  Amen.

Prayer for September 13-19, 2015 

Sermon Text: Mark 8:27-38

That we may comprehend and cling to God’s priorities

Jesus, in spite of the faith statements that we have claimed as our own and repeated together in our worship, some days we are unclear about who You really are.  We think about You as challenging Prophet or wise Teacher, but fail to perceive that You are God’s Chosen Sovereign and Healer of every dimension of human life and creation.

In our confusion, we want to avoid your nonviolent walk in the way of suffering, rejection and death.  But when we resist your chosen path, we experience your rebuke and correction.  

Enable us to comprehend and cling to God’s priorities.  Give us courage to follow You in the way of the cross—the way of suffering.  Enable us to abandon our efforts at self-preservation in order to give all for You.  Give us courage to share your presence and your word with the world.  Free us from any shame we may have about being your people and representing You in the world.  Amen.

Prayer for September 6-12, 2015 

Sermon Text: Mark 7:24-37

That every dimension of our lives may be open to your presence

Jesus, we rejoice that though the primary focus of your ministry was for your people, the Jews, You acted with compassion toward strangers whom You encountered, stimulating hope and making your healing power evident among them.

We rejoice that your openness to the stranger and foreigner set a precedent for your disciples, so that your ministry of hope and healing has

·      released multitudes from spiritual bondage

·      opened many hearts to receive You

·      opened many ears to hear and obey your word

·      opened many mouths to speak your love and sing your praise

·      opened many eyes to witness your wonderful deeds and see your glory.

Your compassion presence and action has thoroughly astonished us, even as it has opened our hearts to trust You more completely.  

We rejoice in You!  Amen.