Prayer for August 19-25, 2018 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

That we may be given discerning hearts and discerning leaders

God of all, we pray that You will give us discerning hearts so that we may fulfill our responsibilities and respond to our neighbors with integrity, compassion and faithfulness.

We also ask that You will give us political leaders who seek a discerning heart in order to serve their constituencies in ways that benefit the entire citizenry. Give us leaders who are not hungry for power and who are not seeking to enrich themselves at the expense of the communities they serve.

Give us compassionate leaders who will lead us in caring for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Give us leaders who will be first to extend a hand of welcome to strangers. Give us generous leaders who will show us how to share resources wisely. Give us leaders who will act with respect toward all lives, even those of our declared enemies. Give us leaders who delight in and protect the beauty of your creation and who will not treat it as though it is ours to utilize in any way that we please. 

God, grant us leaders who will be models of disciplined attentiveness and obedience to your word. Give us discerning hearts about such leadership. Amen

Prayer for August 12-18, 2018 

Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

That we may be guided and formed in the way of love

Spirit of God, guide and form us in the way of love. Enable us to walk as Jesus walked, in imitation of God our Creator. Let our lives be a fragrant offering to the One whom we love above all others.

Remind us, daily, of our unity in Christ, and enable us to speak in ways that bless and build up our many sisters and brothers.

Teach us to deal wisely with anger. Strip bitterness and rage from our hearts. Do not allow any form of anger to become a wedge through which evil penetrates our lives in order to dominate us and separate us from each other.

Enable us to do useful works of service for each other so we may share joyfully in the blessed life that You intend for us. 

Let our individual and corporate lives be characterized by abundant kindness and compassion. Help us forgive with grateful and generous hearts. Amen.

Prayer for August 5-11, 2018 

Sermon Text: John 6:24-35

That we may perceive your glory and be moved to invest our whole lives in service of your reign

Jesus, Bread of Life, enable us to trust You fully. Enable us to draw nourishment from your presence and action among us. Enable us to abandon our anxious grasping and find satisfaction and rest in You.

We rejoice that You provide for our true needs! Forgive us when we seek You only because You have filled our bellies or met some other need that seemed urgent to us. Enable us to comprehend your identity and your glory in adequate measure to move us to invest our whole selves in pursuing and serving God’s reign among us.  

Sharpen our focus on what You are doing among us. Straighten and strengthen our steps as we follow You in gratitude and hope. Amen.

Prayer for July 29-August 4, 2018 

Sermon Text: John 6:1-21

That we may release our anxious grasp on many things so You may use them to do your wondrous works

Christ Jesus, we seldom think that our available resources are adequate for our own needs. We certainly think them inadequate for the massive need that we see in our communities and in the wider world around us.    

But You are able to take what we offer to You, bless it, break it, and share it in ways that bring satisfaction to many. You are able to do what seems impossible to us as You trust in God’s provision and act with compassion.

Give us a clearer vision of how You may act among us as we trust You deeply. Enable us to step beyond fear whether we face tempestuous times or overwhelming needs. Enable us to release resources from our anxious grasp so that You may do your wondrous works. 

Sometimes we are terrified, but mostly we are awed and delighted by your presence and action. We rejoice in You! Amen.

Prayer for July 22-28, 2018 

Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-17

That we may be mindful of the ways our lives are sustained by your choice, initiative and mercy

God our Creator and Redeemer, thank You for your word of correction and guidance that often prevents us from running ahead of your plan for us. Thank You for the prophetic reminder that You do not need us to do things for You, as though You lacked resources and had unmet needs.

Thank You for showing us that our life with You is created and sustained by your choice, by your initiative, by your mercy and faithfulness.

We rejoice in You. We rejoice in your covenant promises that give us identity and hope. We rejoice in your constant companionship and attentive care. 

Enable us to live into your promises by trusting You fully, setting aside anxiety, and living with thanksgiving that produces loving generosity toward our many neighbors. May our lives bring praise to You! Amen.

Prayer for July 15-21, 2018 

Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 6:1-19

That joy unspeakable may course through our life together

God, we spend so much time trying to keep our emotions and our lives under control. We spend so much time attempting to act in ways that we hope will match the expectations of people around us.

Take us out of ourselves in order to be deeply engaged with You. Let us worship You with abandon and without concern for how others may perceive us. Let joy unspeakable course through our life together. May our hearts be wholly yours.

When our worship is complete, enable us to respond to the people in our lives with compassion and forgiveness. Root out arrogance and meanness among us.

We give ourselves to You as completely as we can because You have given yourself completely in Christ Jesus. Amen.