Prayer for April 19-25, 2020
Sermon Text: John 20:19-31
That we may thoughtfully exercise the authority that Jesus grants his disciples
God, we rejoice that You have raised Jesus
from death, and have defeated the powers of sin and death through him.
Alleluia!
We rejoice that Jesus comes among us, in
the midst of our chaos and fear, and speaks a word of peace that brings order
to our lives and deepens our trust in You. Alleluia!
We rejoice that Jesus comes with scars,
showing that he has lived in solidarity with us in this world of violence and
injustice. Alleluia!
We praise You that Jesus has imparted your
Spirit to guide and energize us for our ministry to each other and to the world
that You love so deeply. Alleluia!
We praise You that Jesus has shared the
authority that You gave him, so that we may speak a word of forgiveness to each
other, and to our many neighbors. And we thank You that your Spirit enables us
to discern the moments when it is appropriate to declare or withhold
forgiveness. Alleluia!
We rejoice that many have passed on the
good news about Jesus, without ever seeing him, but because they have, we are
able to take up the cry, “My Lord and my God!” and live our days with
courageous faith. Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Prayer for April 12-18, 2020
Sermon Text: John 20:1-18
That our whole lives may be shaped by our recognition that Jesus is alive
Hallelujah! Jesus is alive!
We rejoice that You have raised him from death, God of life.
We share the surprise of Mary who discovered an empty tomb on the first day of the week, the first day of new creation, but didn't know what to make of it, and thought it mean even deeper loss than she had already experienced.
Our hearts pound with those of Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved as we race to confirm what Mary has said. Yes! the tomb is empty! We rejoice without full comprehension.
We cry in grief and confusion, and struggle to answer when asked why.
We cry, "Teacher!" and try to clasp You when You speak our name, and we recognize that You, who are our deepest longing and deepest joy, are standing next to us.
We listen to your words about your return to the presence of our sovereign God and we rush to tell your closest friends and followers, "I have seen Jesus! I have seen the Lord!"
Our entire life has been given shape and meaning by that experience and declaration: "I have seen the Lord!" We rejoice in you! Hallelujah! Hallelujah. Hallelujah! Amen.
Sermon Text: John 20:1-18
That our whole lives may be shaped by our recognition that Jesus is alive
Hallelujah! Jesus is alive!
We rejoice that You have raised him from death, God of life.
We share the surprise of Mary who discovered an empty tomb on the first day of the week, the first day of new creation, but didn't know what to make of it, and thought it mean even deeper loss than she had already experienced.
Our hearts pound with those of Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved as we race to confirm what Mary has said. Yes! the tomb is empty! We rejoice without full comprehension.
We cry in grief and confusion, and struggle to answer when asked why.
We cry, "Teacher!" and try to clasp You when You speak our name, and we recognize that You, who are our deepest longing and deepest joy, are standing next to us.
We listen to your words about your return to the presence of our sovereign God and we rush to tell your closest friends and followers, "I have seen Jesus! I have seen the Lord!"
Our entire life has been given shape and meaning by that experience and declaration: "I have seen the Lord!" We rejoice in you! Hallelujah! Hallelujah. Hallelujah! Amen.
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 40 (last day): Seventh Saturday
Mark 15:42-47
It was over! No doubt!
But one who hoped in God's reign removed your body so it did not hang through the Sabbath or endure prolonged exposure to weather and scavengers. You were loved even in death: removed from the cross, wrapped and interred in a rock tomb. Some of the women who loved and followed You observed it all. They saw the end, saw the stone rolled against the entrance of the tomb.
It was over! No doubt!
Jesus, it is hard for us to linger in this moment. We want to rush ahead to what we know. But help us to sit with the loss. Help us to know the depth of the grief, emptiness, and despair that your first disciples felt when You were crucified and buried, and their hopes with You.
Enable us, for this moment, to lament the ways we failed You. Enable us to lament the failure of religious and political leaders who resisted and refused your way. Enable us to lament the death of dreams that did not align with God's will and God's reign. Amen.
Day 40 (last day): Seventh Saturday
Mark 15:42-47
It was over! No doubt!
But one who hoped in God's reign removed your body so it did not hang through the Sabbath or endure prolonged exposure to weather and scavengers. You were loved even in death: removed from the cross, wrapped and interred in a rock tomb. Some of the women who loved and followed You observed it all. They saw the end, saw the stone rolled against the entrance of the tomb.
It was over! No doubt!
Jesus, it is hard for us to linger in this moment. We want to rush ahead to what we know. But help us to sit with the loss. Help us to know the depth of the grief, emptiness, and despair that your first disciples felt when You were crucified and buried, and their hopes with You.
Enable us, for this moment, to lament the ways we failed You. Enable us to lament the failure of religious and political leaders who resisted and refused your way. Enable us to lament the death of dreams that did not align with God's will and God's reign. Amen.
Friday, April 10, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 39: Seventh Friday
Mark 15:33-41
Christ Jesus, it hurts to visualize You, there, lifted up^ before vicious and scornful watchers, sinking toward death as the weight of your body took away your ability to breathe. It hurts and shames us to realize that our sins were part of the weight that was sapping the last of your strength.
Your cry tears through our hearts. It tears through our complacency and indifference. It echoes around us. It resonates with the the deepest cords of our being: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"
We have cried that cry out of our fragility, grief, and sense of abandonment. We have cried that cry in moments of hopelessness that seemed like they would never end. But we have not cried it as innocent ones. We have not cried it as the "one man" who died for the people.* We have not cried it before a crowd of ravenous watchers.+
Forgive us for contributing to your pain. Forgive us for resisting You and choosing to be your enemies.# Forgive us for making you bear our shame. May we never forget your cry. Amen.
^ John 3:14
* John 11:50
+ Psalm 122
# Romans 5:10
Day 39: Seventh Friday
Mark 15:33-41
Christ Jesus, it hurts to visualize You, there, lifted up^ before vicious and scornful watchers, sinking toward death as the weight of your body took away your ability to breathe. It hurts and shames us to realize that our sins were part of the weight that was sapping the last of your strength.
Your cry tears through our hearts. It tears through our complacency and indifference. It echoes around us. It resonates with the the deepest cords of our being: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"
We have cried that cry out of our fragility, grief, and sense of abandonment. We have cried that cry in moments of hopelessness that seemed like they would never end. But we have not cried it as innocent ones. We have not cried it as the "one man" who died for the people.* We have not cried it before a crowd of ravenous watchers.+
Forgive us for contributing to your pain. Forgive us for resisting You and choosing to be your enemies.# Forgive us for making you bear our shame. May we never forget your cry. Amen.
^ John 3:14
* John 11:50
+ Psalm 122
# Romans 5:10
Thursday, April 9, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 38: 7th Thursday
Mark 15:16-32
What a bitter and ironic coronation the soldiers gave You, Jesus: the purple robe, the crown of pain, the words of acclamation coupled with striking and spitting and false worship. At times our worship may be no less of an exaggerated act, no less ironic, and cover no less violence to the "least" with whom You identify so closely that injustice and abuse of them is violence toward You.
Jesus, You knew the road You were taking. You knew that the way You walked and called your disciples to walk was one that included suffering and death. You knew that in order for your mission to be accomplished, You must be "lifted up."*
And so You were. Stripped naked you were nailed to a cross You were too weak from abuse to carry. You were lifted up, in public, where all who passed by might mock and abuse You and celebrate the shame that your family and friends shared with You.
Jesus, there is little likelihood that many of us would have acted in better ways than the politicians, priests, soldiers and passersby who brought You so much pain and grief. At the foot of the cross, most of us would have little idea about what we were doing,^ and no understanding of the result of our rejection and abuse. At the foot of the cross, we would hardly know what God had "laid upon You."#
* John 3:14
^ Luke 23:34
# Isaiah 53:6
Day 38: 7th Thursday
Mark 15:16-32
What a bitter and ironic coronation the soldiers gave You, Jesus: the purple robe, the crown of pain, the words of acclamation coupled with striking and spitting and false worship. At times our worship may be no less of an exaggerated act, no less ironic, and cover no less violence to the "least" with whom You identify so closely that injustice and abuse of them is violence toward You.
Jesus, You knew the road You were taking. You knew that the way You walked and called your disciples to walk was one that included suffering and death. You knew that in order for your mission to be accomplished, You must be "lifted up."*
And so You were. Stripped naked you were nailed to a cross You were too weak from abuse to carry. You were lifted up, in public, where all who passed by might mock and abuse You and celebrate the shame that your family and friends shared with You.
Jesus, there is little likelihood that many of us would have acted in better ways than the politicians, priests, soldiers and passersby who brought You so much pain and grief. At the foot of the cross, most of us would have little idea about what we were doing,^ and no understanding of the result of our rejection and abuse. At the foot of the cross, we would hardly know what God had "laid upon You."#
* John 3:14
^ Luke 23:34
# Isaiah 53:6
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 37: 7th Wednesday
Mark 15:1-15
It's always out of "self-interest" that we resist You, betray You, deny You, and abandon You Jesus. It's always out of self-interest, at least when we make a conscious decision about what we are doing. We are just as likely to slip away from You in unconscious ways because we have not allowed our hearts and minds to be thoroughly shaped by your word and your values.
You offer to transform our lives and our world completely, but we only want a measure of your involvement. We only want to cede a portion of our lives to your guidance. We may say otherwise, but we tend to give ourselves to You spasmodically, inconsistently. Most days You do not receive the devotion of all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are otherwise preoccupied.
Though we haven't sued for your death, as some of your opponents did, we resist your forgiving, healing, liberating way. We resist doing justice and acting kindly to all. We refuse to love our enemies.
Unfortunately, what we perceive as in our own self-interest often damages us and separates us from the blessing, joy, and peace that You offer. Forgive us. Help us to see ourselves clearly. Help us to see our true needs and perceive that it is by your grace that they are met. Help us to recognize our true gifts and use them in fruitful ways that transcend narrow self-interest and enrich the lives of others. Unite us fully with your mission of bringing every dimension of reality into congruence with God's will. Amen.
Day 37: 7th Wednesday
Mark 15:1-15
It's always out of "self-interest" that we resist You, betray You, deny You, and abandon You Jesus. It's always out of self-interest, at least when we make a conscious decision about what we are doing. We are just as likely to slip away from You in unconscious ways because we have not allowed our hearts and minds to be thoroughly shaped by your word and your values.
You offer to transform our lives and our world completely, but we only want a measure of your involvement. We only want to cede a portion of our lives to your guidance. We may say otherwise, but we tend to give ourselves to You spasmodically, inconsistently. Most days You do not receive the devotion of all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are otherwise preoccupied.
Though we haven't sued for your death, as some of your opponents did, we resist your forgiving, healing, liberating way. We resist doing justice and acting kindly to all. We refuse to love our enemies.
Unfortunately, what we perceive as in our own self-interest often damages us and separates us from the blessing, joy, and peace that You offer. Forgive us. Help us to see ourselves clearly. Help us to see our true needs and perceive that it is by your grace that they are met. Help us to recognize our true gifts and use them in fruitful ways that transcend narrow self-interest and enrich the lives of others. Unite us fully with your mission of bringing every dimension of reality into congruence with God's will. Amen.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAYl LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 36: Sixth Tuesday
Mark 14:53-65
Jesus, Messiah, your instruction, action, and claimed identity all elicited major resistance from those who were most certain of their faith and of their roles within that faith. We have no doubt that would be true if you were walking among us today. Even many of us who claim to know you, claim to follow your way, would be likely to reject your identity, deny the truth of your instruction, and join in the violence against You,
Sometimes our hearts swell with barely restrained violence against people who believe differently than we do, or people who come from places that seem too foreign to us, or people that our nation and its leaders have identified as enemies. We have seen and heard many reports of violence from people who claim to be defenders of one faith or another, so it is not a great leap to imagine that something might trigger actual violence from us, though we are more inclined to let our governments enact violence for us.
Jesus, root every weed of violence from our lives. Let the truth you proclaimed work its way deeply into the soil of our being. Let it germinate and grow within our hearts and minds. Then, cause it to burst forth with the fruits of holiness: particularly fidelity, forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, and compassion. May your Spirit lead us to depths of faith that we have not yet experienced. Amen.
Day 36: Sixth Tuesday
Mark 14:53-65
Jesus, Messiah, your instruction, action, and claimed identity all elicited major resistance from those who were most certain of their faith and of their roles within that faith. We have no doubt that would be true if you were walking among us today. Even many of us who claim to know you, claim to follow your way, would be likely to reject your identity, deny the truth of your instruction, and join in the violence against You,
Sometimes our hearts swell with barely restrained violence against people who believe differently than we do, or people who come from places that seem too foreign to us, or people that our nation and its leaders have identified as enemies. We have seen and heard many reports of violence from people who claim to be defenders of one faith or another, so it is not a great leap to imagine that something might trigger actual violence from us, though we are more inclined to let our governments enact violence for us.
Jesus, root every weed of violence from our lives. Let the truth you proclaimed work its way deeply into the soil of our being. Let it germinate and grow within our hearts and minds. Then, cause it to burst forth with the fruits of holiness: particularly fidelity, forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, and compassion. May your Spirit lead us to depths of faith that we have not yet experienced. Amen.
Monday, April 6, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 35: Sixth Monday
Mark 14:53-65
Jesus, your claim of a unique relationship with God and that others would see You glorified in God's presence, and in your return, certainly sounded like blasphemy to those who were trying to protect their faith. What You asked them to see and believe was challenging to the heart of their faith. And they had had enough challenge from You. They were ready to be done with You, ready to wade through false testimony in order to draw some threads together, like a web, that would hold You in their grasp and bring about your demise.
You are a constant challenge to closely held faith or political beliefs and practices that put power and control before healing, liberation, justice and reconciliation. You are a constant challenge to those of us who believe that we are the defenders of the faith, or that we are autonomous, or that we actually exercise control over the lives of others.
Jesus, forgive us for joining those who conspired against You by denying your authority and ignoring your word. Forgive us for believing and telling lies about You, particularly those lies that enable us to withhold forgiveness, ignore justice and practice violence. Change our minds about You, even if it means that we must suffer with You. Amen.
Day 35: Sixth Monday
Mark 14:53-65
Jesus, your claim of a unique relationship with God and that others would see You glorified in God's presence, and in your return, certainly sounded like blasphemy to those who were trying to protect their faith. What You asked them to see and believe was challenging to the heart of their faith. And they had had enough challenge from You. They were ready to be done with You, ready to wade through false testimony in order to draw some threads together, like a web, that would hold You in their grasp and bring about your demise.
You are a constant challenge to closely held faith or political beliefs and practices that put power and control before healing, liberation, justice and reconciliation. You are a constant challenge to those of us who believe that we are the defenders of the faith, or that we are autonomous, or that we actually exercise control over the lives of others.
Jesus, forgive us for joining those who conspired against You by denying your authority and ignoring your word. Forgive us for believing and telling lies about You, particularly those lies that enable us to withhold forgiveness, ignore justice and practice violence. Change our minds about You, even if it means that we must suffer with You. Amen.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Prayer for April 5-11, 2020
Sermon Text: Matthew 26:14-27:66
That we will seize new opportunities to follow You in faithfulness
Jesus, Messiah, we rejoice in You! Hosanna! We acknowledge You as the One chosen by God to bring redemption to your people and to all of creation. You touched the deepest hopes of your people and You have touched our deepest hopes.
We rejoice that You never gave up, but that You kept your commitment to God’s call and God’s reign with tenacity. You faced direct and sneaky forms of resistance. You endured the plots of religious leaders and the failure of politicians. Most painfully, we imagine, You endured the betrayal, denial, and abandonment of your closest followers, the ones whom You had identified as “Friends.”
God, like many of your followers, we have failed You too. We have denied You, betrayed You, fled from confrontation, and abandoned You in times of trial. Forgive and transform us! Give us new opportunities to follow You in faithfulness. We sing your praise! Hosanna!
Sermon Text: Matthew 26:14-27:66
That we will seize new opportunities to follow You in faithfulness
Jesus, Messiah, we rejoice in You! Hosanna! We acknowledge You as the One chosen by God to bring redemption to your people and to all of creation. You touched the deepest hopes of your people and You have touched our deepest hopes.
We rejoice that You never gave up, but that You kept your commitment to God’s call and God’s reign with tenacity. You faced direct and sneaky forms of resistance. You endured the plots of religious leaders and the failure of politicians. Most painfully, we imagine, You endured the betrayal, denial, and abandonment of your closest followers, the ones whom You had identified as “Friends.”
God, like many of your followers, we have failed You too. We have denied You, betrayed You, fled from confrontation, and abandoned You in times of trial. Forgive and transform us! Give us new opportunities to follow You in faithfulness. We sing your praise! Hosanna!
LENT 2020
Sixth Sunday
For Reflection:
Sixth Sunday
For Reflection:
- How do you stay alert for Jesus' presence and return?
- When, if ever, have you broken open your treasury of God-given resources in lavish love for Jesus?
- When have you been most thankful that Christ Jesus has not given up on you?
- When have you betrayed Jesus in speech or action?
Saturday, April 4, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 34: Sixth Saturday
Mark 14:43-52
Jesus, we are ashamed of the way You were treated because we know that we would have acted no differently. Even now, after years of following You, and in our fickleness, we might turn a sign of intimacy into an act of betrayal. Even now, we might flee naked into the night if we came under real threat. Even now, our faith is more often like a shallow trickle than a deep, flowing stream.
You asked those who came out to arrest You, "Am I leading a rebellion." Of course the answer was no, and yes. You did not arm your followers for physical battle, but You did disrupt cherished structures and traditions. Your teaching challenged the ultimacy of both religious and political powers. Your actions, particularly your healings and exorcisms, demonstrated that there was power and authority at work in You that neither religious nor political leaders possessed.
You threatened massive change that many resisted, but especially the wealthy and powerful. Swords and clubs were an expression of fear about the power that You had shown. Today, we would come with guns, but no less fear.
We know, in the deepest part of our being, that You could not and cannot be controlled. We know that while facing powerful threat with sorrow and distress, You faced them unflinchingly. We know that if we take You seriously, then more drastic change to our personal and communal lives is demanded than we have so far had the will to undertake.
Jesus, we still fear You in ways that we cannot fully fathom or express. Overcome our fears. Remove our shame. Align our lives more completely with yours. Amen.
Day 34: Sixth Saturday
Mark 14:43-52
Jesus, we are ashamed of the way You were treated because we know that we would have acted no differently. Even now, after years of following You, and in our fickleness, we might turn a sign of intimacy into an act of betrayal. Even now, we might flee naked into the night if we came under real threat. Even now, our faith is more often like a shallow trickle than a deep, flowing stream.
You asked those who came out to arrest You, "Am I leading a rebellion." Of course the answer was no, and yes. You did not arm your followers for physical battle, but You did disrupt cherished structures and traditions. Your teaching challenged the ultimacy of both religious and political powers. Your actions, particularly your healings and exorcisms, demonstrated that there was power and authority at work in You that neither religious nor political leaders possessed.
You threatened massive change that many resisted, but especially the wealthy and powerful. Swords and clubs were an expression of fear about the power that You had shown. Today, we would come with guns, but no less fear.
We know, in the deepest part of our being, that You could not and cannot be controlled. We know that while facing powerful threat with sorrow and distress, You faced them unflinchingly. We know that if we take You seriously, then more drastic change to our personal and communal lives is demanded than we have so far had the will to undertake.
Jesus, we still fear You in ways that we cannot fully fathom or express. Overcome our fears. Remove our shame. Align our lives more completely with yours. Amen.
Friday, April 3, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 33: Sixth Friday
Mark 14:32-42
Jesus, we are thankful that You have experienced and know what it is like to be distressed and troubled. You know what it is like to be overwhelmed with sorrow. Your experience has enabled You to identify fully with us in our humanity. And You show that, like You, we may pray for release from the most troubling hardships, yet leave our lives in God's care.
Jesus, we know that your suffering took on a quality that ours cannot. You suffered for us, so that we might more fully experience God's forgiveness and love. You suffered for us so that we might be freed from the power of sin and death. You suffered for us so that our lives might be transformed for thorough fidelity to God's reign. We praise and worship You!
But we are saddened, Dearest Friend, that your disciples' failure to watch and pray with You heightened your sense of loneliness and abandonment. We are too much like them! We do not stay alert. We do not pray. We do not act on your behalf when it is most necessary that we do so. Enable us to be present with and for You to the extent that your Spirit may assist and energize us. Amen.
Day 33: Sixth Friday
Mark 14:32-42
Jesus, we are thankful that You have experienced and know what it is like to be distressed and troubled. You know what it is like to be overwhelmed with sorrow. Your experience has enabled You to identify fully with us in our humanity. And You show that, like You, we may pray for release from the most troubling hardships, yet leave our lives in God's care.
Jesus, we know that your suffering took on a quality that ours cannot. You suffered for us, so that we might more fully experience God's forgiveness and love. You suffered for us so that we might be freed from the power of sin and death. You suffered for us so that our lives might be transformed for thorough fidelity to God's reign. We praise and worship You!
But we are saddened, Dearest Friend, that your disciples' failure to watch and pray with You heightened your sense of loneliness and abandonment. We are too much like them! We do not stay alert. We do not pray. We do not act on your behalf when it is most necessary that we do so. Enable us to be present with and for You to the extent that your Spirit may assist and energize us. Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 32: 6th Thursday
Mark 14:12-31
Jesus, we can imagine the shock and resistance: at a high point of the year, as God's great deliverance was remembered and celebrated, You told your disciples that one would betray You, one deny You. How could it be? And how could they focus on the words when You said the broken bread was "my body," and the wine was "my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many"? Surely their minds were filled with questions and suspicions, perhaps crowding out adoration and comprehension altogether.
Jesus, we can imagine their initial shock, but we have learned a little about ourselves, and we know, from our time on the way with You, that we are not above betrayal. We are not above denial. We have turned from You, turned against You, and denied knowing You in many ways. Our sense of self-assurance has waned as we have been shamed by our inconsistencies and outright rebellion.
Jesus, even when You knew your disciples were going to give up on You, You did not give up on them. You shared the most intimate communion with them. You gave yourself to and for them. Don't give up on us either. We have received so much from You, but keep giving yourself to us so that we may live with faithfulness and joy as children of God's reign of peace and justice.
We await, with hope, the day when we will drink the wine of the covenant face to face with You. Amen.
Day 32: 6th Thursday
Mark 14:12-31
Jesus, we can imagine the shock and resistance: at a high point of the year, as God's great deliverance was remembered and celebrated, You told your disciples that one would betray You, one deny You. How could it be? And how could they focus on the words when You said the broken bread was "my body," and the wine was "my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many"? Surely their minds were filled with questions and suspicions, perhaps crowding out adoration and comprehension altogether.
Jesus, we can imagine their initial shock, but we have learned a little about ourselves, and we know, from our time on the way with You, that we are not above betrayal. We are not above denial. We have turned from You, turned against You, and denied knowing You in many ways. Our sense of self-assurance has waned as we have been shamed by our inconsistencies and outright rebellion.
Jesus, even when You knew your disciples were going to give up on You, You did not give up on them. You shared the most intimate communion with them. You gave yourself to and for them. Don't give up on us either. We have received so much from You, but keep giving yourself to us so that we may live with faithfulness and joy as children of God's reign of peace and justice.
We await, with hope, the day when we will drink the wine of the covenant face to face with You. Amen.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 31: Sixth Wednesday
Mark: 14:1-11
Jesus, we rejoice in You! We delight in your presence! We want to be near You always. We want to use all of our best resources for your benefit and your glory. We want to do everything in our power so that the good news about You, as bearer of God's reign and way of salvation, may be spread everywhere.
We rejoice that as your hour of darkness and desolation neared, You had some source of comfort, someone who attended to the needs of your body and spirit in the same moment. We are thankful that You were touched so generously and lovingly.
As we serve You in our various congregations and ministries, help us not to focus, always, on the bottom line of costs. Help us, at times, to break open the treasury of resources that You have provided, in order to pour out love in lavish ways. You needed it. The world needs it. Free us to respond with such liberality. Amen.
Day 31: Sixth Wednesday
Mark: 14:1-11
Jesus, we rejoice in You! We delight in your presence! We want to be near You always. We want to use all of our best resources for your benefit and your glory. We want to do everything in our power so that the good news about You, as bearer of God's reign and way of salvation, may be spread everywhere.
We rejoice that as your hour of darkness and desolation neared, You had some source of comfort, someone who attended to the needs of your body and spirit in the same moment. We are thankful that You were touched so generously and lovingly.
As we serve You in our various congregations and ministries, help us not to focus, always, on the bottom line of costs. Help us, at times, to break open the treasury of resources that You have provided, in order to pour out love in lavish ways. You needed it. The world needs it. Free us to respond with such liberality. Amen.
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