Prayer for May 22-28, 2011

Sermon Text: Acts 7:55-60

That we may boldly tell the story of Jesus

God of compassion and mercy, we rejoice that You have raised up and sent bold witnesses throughout the centuries of your history with Israel and the Church. Without such witnesses, we would not know the name of Jesus. Without such witnesses, we would live still in the futility of our own understanding. Without such witnesses, we would have no hope of participating in the resurrection life of Jesus.

We rejoice in You! And we rejoice that you enabled your witnesses to persevere in the face of bitter and brutal opposition even when it cost them their lives. You gave faith, hope, even joy, in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. Because of the tenderness and tenacity of your witnesses, our lives have been opened to You, to your truth and your love.

Source of all that we have and all that we are, give us a full measure of courage to tell the story of Jesus to others. Enable us to tell the story in ways that connect with the real lives of the people we know. Enable us to persevere when we face resistance. Enable us to forgive when we are injured. Let every word we speak, especially those that challenge others the most, be full of your love. Amen.