Prayer for July 24-30, 2016 

Sermon Text: Luke 11:1-13

That we may be daring and persistent in prayer

Christ Jesus, like your early disciples, we do not always know how to pray. We do not know how to express our true needs adequately, and we are embarrassed to ask for assistance.

However, when your disciples asked for instruction in prayer, you taught them. And we, centuries later, have learned the prayer you taught from generations who learned it, prayed it, and treasured it.  We pray as your disciples, and without embarrassment that -

Your name will be honored and your reign come in fullness among us;

That You will feed us what we need today;

That You will forgive every one of our sins and enable us to practice forgiveness 

toward all who have offended or harmed us;

That You will not lead us into temptation, but into glad obedience of God’s word. 

Enable us to be daring and persistent as we ask, seek, and knock upon your door for help. Enable us to trust You for everything that we need. Enable us to trust in the wise and deep generosity of God the Father, with whom You are one.  Amen.

Prayer for July 17-23, 2016

Sermon Text: Luke 10:38-42 

Christ Jesus, we want to welcome You into our life as a congregation and into our individual lives. But frankly, we are often so busy and distracted by our sense of obligation and our full agendas that we are unable to rest in your presence.

     We are unable to stop thinking about ourselves.

     We are unable to let go of our anxiety.

     We are unable to listen to your word.

     And so, we are unable to learn the specific tasks that You are calling and sending us to do.  

Free us to hear You in such a way that we receive new energy for service and witness that is free of anxiety and self-consciousness. Enable us to choose what is most necessary. Enable us to listen with open hearts and then obey with gladness. Amen.

Prayer for July 10-16, 2016

Texts: Genesis 37:3-11, 42:6; Psalm 23; Romans 8:18-39; John 14:1-14

God of all creation, we rejoice in your unfailing mercy and love. We rejoice in your constant care. We rejoice that your Holy Spirit is continuously present with us as Comforter and Guide. We rejoice that You are at work in every situation to do good for your people.

God of all, we believe that your reign is sure. We believe that You are achieving your purposes even though we cannot always see how that is true when we consider our personal circumstances or pay attention to the world around us.

Deepen our trust in You. Make us strong and courageous followers of Jesus. Let your Spirit guide our prayers. Enable us to draw strength from You in every circumstance: in moments of struggle and pain, as well as in moments of opportunity and blessing. 

You are our Sovereign, and we rejoice in You! Amen.

Prayer for July 3-9, 2016

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14

That we will receive your healing and serve as your healing agents

God of all people, no position or power makes us immune to the painful and embarrassing trials of life.

But no trial of sickness, disease, injury, grief, defeat, or sin places us beyond the reach of your prophetic and healing word. We are never beyond your reach. We are never outside of the scope of your mercy. And we can never be sure about whom You will use in order to do your restoring work in our lives.

You are able to use the weakest and most humble people in order to do your powerful work in our lives. You are able to use the familiar and the despised in order to touch our lives with newness.

We like to think that we know the limits within which You are able to work, but You constantly surprise us and show us that You have unlimited ability to achieve your healing, reconciling work in the world.  

We rejoice the ways that You have brought healing to our lives. Use us as agents of your healing for others.  Amen.