Prayer for September 30-October 6, 2018 

Sermon Text: Esther 7:1-10, 9:20-22

That we may be at your disposal for your saving purpose

God of mercy, we rejoice that You frequently raise up people of courage to intervene for your people when they are in jeopardy. We rejoice that You provide wise guides who enable your chosen agents to recognize crisis, understand the kind of courage and action that are needed, and then respond faithfully.

You have saved your people in so many circumstances, responding in surprising ways and through diverse people who put their lives at your disposal, and great risk, in order to serve others.

Enable us to put ourselves at your disposal for your purposes. Help us to see that now is the time for many kinds of faithful action. Give us courage to risk ourselves for You and your people.  

When You act in saving ways, open our hearts to celebrate with great joy, never forgetting all that You have done for us. We rejoice in You! Amen.

Prayer for September 23-29, 2018 

Sermon Text: Mark 9:30-37

That we may give up competition for hospitality

Jesus, even though we seldom argue, publicly, about which of us is greatest, which of us deserves to be closest to You and share your power, we are frequently comparing ourselves to each other, assessing our brothers and sisters in ways that make us look better to ourselves, and vying for preeminence within the community of believers.

You show us an alternative way by becoming Servant of All. You give yourself completely to and for us. You walk the way of obedience and service in spite of knowing that great suffering lies ahead.

You make no grand claims for yourself.* You do not compare yourself with those around You. Instead, You act with tenderness and hospitality, embracing those who are commonly weak and overlooked. 

You invite us to do the same. And you assure us that in welcoming those who are weak, we welcome You and the One who sent You. Close our hearts and minds toward competition with one another. Open them for a broad practice of hospitality. Amen.

* In the context of Mark, most significant, direct claims for Jesus are not made by him.

Prayer for September 16-22, 2018 

Sermon Text: Mark 8:27-38

That dedicated action will match our words of acclamation

Jesus, we want to see You for who you really are! We want to respond to You as You deserve! But our vision is easily distorted by our experiences and by cultural influences that exert a powerful shaping force upon us.

We want You to guarantee power, success and victory for our nation. We want you to guarantee our security and freedom.

We also want You to guarantee that we, as individuals and as a congregation, will be wealthy, wise, independent and secure. We want lives of guaranteed health and freedom from suffering.

You come, not as our national or personal conquering hero, but as Suffering Servant. You come and walk among us the path that leads to rejection and death.   

And You have the audacity to call us to follow You in this difficult way. You call us to give our whole selves for You, without reserve, and find our most true selves and our most full life by doing so.

Enable us to see You clearly. Enable us to acclaim You as God’s Chosen One and match our words of acclamation with dedicated action that is aligned with your identity and your call upon our lives. Amen.

Prayer for September 9-15, 2018 

Sermon Text: Mark 7:24-37

Transform our minds as we respond to strangers

God of all creatures, open our ears so that we may hear the urgent, persistent calls of strangers in need. Open our eyes so that we may perceive their humanity with all of their tenacity and cleverness. Instruct our tongues so we may speak words of blessing and hope. Open our hearts so we may respond with neighborly compassion. Expand our vision so we may comprehend that the scope of your concern exceeds our expectations and that your mission extends to all people, including some whom we are inclined to spurn.  

Bring us face-to-face with those whom we do not know and often fear. Transform our minds through such encounters. Bring healing and reconciliation in and through us. We praise You for what You are able to do among us as we remain open to your guidance. Amen.

Prayer for September 2-8, 2018

Sermon Text: (James 1:17-27

That we may remember who You have called us to be

Father of heavenly lights, we rejoice in the many wondrous gifts You have given to us. We rejoice in your word that birthed us as living signs of your ultimate renewal of all creation.

Enable us to be guided by thanksgiving and generosity as we respond to our brothers and sisters in faith. Enable us to hold our tongues so that we may listen well to each other. Prevent us from erupting with anger that undermines your righteous desire.  

Enable us to set aside all evil and do what You have instructed us to do. Do not let us forget who we are, but enable us to be the people You have created and called us to be.  Let our faith be full and active—expressed through acts of kindness for the most weak and vulnerable among us. Enable us to love You and our many neighbors with unsullied hearts. Amen.

Prayer for August 26-September 1, 2018 

Sermon Text: Psalm 84

That we may remember who You have called us to be

Glorious God, we yearn for You with all the energy our bodies can muster. We yearn for You with our clearest thoughts and our most compelling emotions. We Know that You are always present with us, but we want to live with greater consciousness of your nearness. We want to sing your praise continually and find our strength in You daily.

As we journey in your presence, enable us to find refreshment even in the most arid and bitter places. As we face steep climbs and difficult circumstances, renew and increase our courage and energy.

We choose life in your presence over autonomy and wealth. We rejoice in your generous provision.  We celebrate the favor You show us as we trust in You.  

God Almighty, we seek your glory! Amen.

That You will energize us as we seek You

Lord Almighty, we long for your presence. Our whole being has cried out for You, as though we knew all along that only You could satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts.

We are always seeking You. We delight to sing your praise. We yearn to stay near You.

When we journey to You, the driest valleys flow with streams of living water and become green with life. When we face difficult ascents, anticipation of your presence energizes and accelerates our steps.

You have answered our yearning by dwelling among us in Jesus, your Chosen One. You have set your Spirit among us to comfort, guide and energize us. You have given us far more than we asked or imagined.  

We rejoice in your nearness. We rejoice in the honor You bestow and the generous gifts that You give. Your presence is your greatest gift. We cling to You! Amen.

Note: I accidentally wrote two prayers for this Sunday. The bottom prayer was written weeks in advance, but I forgot I had written it. The top prayer was written during the week preceding August 26, and was used in our worship service for that day.