Prayer for January 22, 2017
Scripture texts: Luke 15:11-24; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

Prayer for Unity

God of all people, we need you and we need each other much more deeply than we are willing to say. We refuse your love and care and we refuse our neighbors by a thousand strategies that keep them at a distance and keep us from entering into full communion with them. Enable us to set aside our stockpile of offensive and defensive strategies and to embrace our neighbors as sisters and brothers, to welcome your presence in our lives and in the lives of all whom you have placed among us. Help us to see the diversity of those we encounter as a true gift from you. Help us to nurture and build upon that gift by seeking to be of one heart and mind together, by seeking to witness together to your love in the world, by seeking to serve together all those who stand in need of forgiveness, healing, liberation and hope. We are not able to bring your reign in fullness, but enable us to cooperate fully as your coworkers, until your will is done on earth as in heaven. We are compelled by the love of Christ to seek the fulfillment of Christ’s will among us, to act as Christ has acted among us, to serve with gladness and joy. Let unity be more than a slogan among us. Let it be lived experience that witnesses to who you have revealed yourself to be. May the world be convinced of your presence and action by the unity we live. Amen.

Prayer for January 22, 2017

Sermon Text: John 17:6-26; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Philippians 2:1-8

Prayer of Confession

Leader: God of all creation, You who have created us for unity, we come

             before you in humility and hope.

People: We come having heard the prayer of Jesus and having observed

 the way that Jesus gave his life for others throughout his ministry,

 and, supremely, at the cross.

Leader: You have created the foundation and set the tone for our unity.

People: Now enable us to build upon that foundation by being one in mind

             and thought.

Leader: Enable us to agree together.

People: Help us set aside every strategy for creating and enforcing division

             or conformity among ourselves and help us to set aside all

             quarreling.

Leader: Help us not to make pastoral, prophetic or political leaders into

             idols with whom we identify ourselves,

People: but let us be fully committed to Christ Jesus, and identify ourselves

             as his above all others.

Leader: Forgive us when we are contentious.

People: Forgive us when we are full of selfishness and vanity.

Leader: Forgive us when we are focused only on our own interests

People: to the neglect of the needs and desires of our companions in the

             faith.

Leader: Make the unity that you desire, and that is at the heart of the

             good news of Christ Jesus, more fully evident among us.

People: And let the world see your glory through our unity. Amen.

January 22-28, 2017 

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

That our lives will more fully express a single mind and thought

Holy One, we rejoice in You. We rejoice in your unity as Creator, Redeemer and Counselor. We rejoice in your desire to make all things one in Christ Jesus. We rejoice, that in the end, your desire will not be thwarted and that Christ will be all and in all.

We thank you for calling us together as your people. We thank you for forgiving us and instructing us in forgiveness. We thank you for creating a firm foundation for our unity and giving us glimpses and tastes of the glorious unity that is possible as we trust in you, set aside our selfishness, and seek your blessing and fruitfulness for each other. We thank you that you have given us many gifts with which to serve each other and enable our lives together to express more fully the single mind and thought you desire for us.    

We await with hope the day when we are fully one with each other and with you through Christ Jesus, our Savior, Teacher and Friend. Amen.

Prayer for January 15-21, 2017

Sermon Text: Isaiah 49:1-7

That we may be energized for welcome, witness and service

God of all people, we rejoice in the broad scope of your love and mercy. We rejoice that from the beginning your intention was that your people, your servants, would spread the light of your compassion to the ends of the earth. We rejoice that through Christ Jesus, and through the guidance and empowerment of your Spirit, that has happened in significant ways. We rejoice that we are beneficiaries of Israel’s restoration and participants in your great salvation.

Enable us to be agents of the continuing outpouring of your light and love. Enable us to be bold witnesses to many who need a word of healing and forgiveness. Enable us to be courageous servants to many who suffer want and hardship. Help us to draw people from the margins into the community of shared life that your Spirit creates among us. 

We rejoice that You want to include all people in your work of salvation. May that knowledge energize us for daily welcome, witness and service. Amen.