Sermon text: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
That our lives may bring your blessing to others
God Almighty, You shape our lives in ways that we cannot see clearly or comprehend fully. Even when it seems that our lives are under your judgment and You have abandoned us, You send your word that challenges us and calls us to trust.
When we would withdraw from life and limit our contacts to those who share our experience and conviction, You call us to live with courage and to enter fully into building and planting a vital community. You call us not to consider only ourselves, but to live in ways that bring blessing and enrichment to others, even our enemies. You call us to hopeful action even when much of the evidence of our lives points toward despair.
Faithful One, enable us to act with courage and trust in every circumstance. Let us open our hands to receive what You would give us in our times of trial. Let us open our hands, also, to bless those we live among, be they friend, stranger, or enemy. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Dave,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers. I use them almost every day of the week.
Dan