Prayer for October 30-November 5, 2016 

Sermon Text: Luke 19:1-10

That we will make ourselves vulnerable before You

Jesus, Son of Man, we rejoice that You came among us and that You are among us still by your Spirit.

Give us such a deep hunger for your presence that we will allow nothing to obscure our vision of You. Give us such a deep hunger for You that we will make ourselves completely vulnerable and even face public embarrassment in order to respond truly to You.

We know that we need You, but we often grow lackadaisical as your followers and friends. Overcome our slowness of heart and mind. Enable us to make reparations for the wrongs we have done. 

Forgive us when we deem others unworthy of your presence. Soften our hearts toward all who need You, even as you draw us and them close together in your strong embrace. Amen.

Prayer for October 23-29, 2016 

Sermon Text: (Luke 18:9-14)

That we will lay aside every strategy for justifying ourselves

Justifying God – we have become so practiced at rationalizing our decisions and justifying ourselves that we are often barely aware of our need for You.  We look around at the world and see that many others need You and that the world at large is in need of a whole scale intervention by You, but we cannot see our own need for You. We convince ourselves that we are fine. We convince ourselves that we are holy and that we already have it made in this life and in the life to come.

But your word has a way of piercing our heart and mind and turning our rationalizations and justifications to dust. Your word has a way of illuminating our failures, and our rebellion, with such clarity that we do not see only because we have stubbornly chosen to remain blind.

Enable us to see in great clarity our daily need for you. Enable us to lay aside every strategy for justifying ourselves before others and before You.  

Forgive us for our arrogance! Transform us in every way that You see is necessary. Amen. 

Prayer for October 16-22, 2016 

Sermon Text: Luke 18:1-8

That we may be assured that your desire for justice cannot be thwarted

God of justice, enable us to pursue justice with tenacity. Enable us to seek justice broadly, not just for ourselves, but for all who need companions and advocates in their struggle to receive what is their due. Enable us to seek justice without arrogant belligerence, but with prayerful and courageous trust.

When we are tempted to give up, let our sisters and brothers on the journey prod us along and take us by the hand and speak words of encouragement. Enable us to do those things for them too, so that together we grow strong in our trust that You are leading us and that your desire for justice cannot ultimately be thwarted.  

Enable us, by word and action, to answer Jesus’ question: “Yes! There is faith among us. Yes! We trust You! Yes! We are pursuing your agenda as You enable us! Yes! Amen.

Prayer for October 2-8, 2016 

Sermon Text: Psalm 137

That our thoughts may be turned away from revenge

God of compassion, we take heart when You enable us to voice our lament, because we know that You will listen.

How difficult it is when it seems that our life has been taken from us. How difficult, when all that gives us joy is confiscated, hidden or destroyed. How frustrating and painful when we are expected to put a good face on our misery.

In such moments, we often forget what is most important to us. We forget the values that have guided us. We turn from thoughts of compassion and mercy in order to imagine violent revenge against those who have brought us misery.  

Enable us to be aware of our deepest feelings and speak them to You with honesty. But turn our hearts away from revenge. Turn our hearts away from violence. Turn our thoughts to You. Then, at the right time, free us to sing your praise again. Amen.