Prayer for February 10-16, 2019 

Sermon Text: Luke 5:1-11

That we may move beyond fear to participate in your mission

Jesus, thank You for coming among us in humility and obedience to God. Thank you for instructing us wisely in the word and ways of God.

Enable us to heed your command even when we are exhausted or think that the results of our efforts may be futile. Help us to perceive the wonders that You perform among us. Enable us to see ourselves clearly in the light of your holiness and your glory. 

Transform our hearts and minds. Make us new! Move us beyond fear to participate in your mission of bringing forgiveness, healing and liberation to all people, as well as restoration for all of creation. Amen.

Prayer for February 3-9, 2019

Sermon Text: Luke 4:21-30

That your prophetic words and actions may become our own

Jesus, we prefer to think that we would have responded well to your prophetic presence and speech among us. We imagine that we might have welcomed your good news for the poor and oppressed with open minds and open hearts.

But we have often been slow to listen to You. We have resisted your call to give ourselves wholly to You. We have resisted your invitations to newness. We have imagined that we, and those like us, are particularly worthy of your abundant blessings. We have refused to identify with the afflicted and needy in the ways that You did during your ministry among us. We have resisted, even more strongly, any thought that You might act with generosity and love among those whom we regard as enemies.

Transform us! Soften our hearts. Open our minds. Let your prophetic words and actions become our own. May they benefit the vulnerable with whom You so thoroughly identified. Amen.