St. Nicolai Notes

Prayer for February 3-9, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 4:21-30

That we may be open to your word and unwavering in zeal

Christ Jesus, we rejoice that You have come among us preaching:

       good news for those who are poor,

       freedom for those who are in prison,

       vision for those who are blind,

       release for those who are oppressed -

       a season of widespread blessing.

We have heard your liberating words and have seen your healing action, and have responded with amazement and with words of praise spoken and sung.

In our familiarity with You, however, we sometimes come to expect little that is out of the ordinary or new.  We want life to flow smoothly, easily, unperturbed.  We close our minds, close our hearts to divine action that might unsettle us, disrupt our lives, challenge or change us thoroughly.

Christ our Sovereign, we do not want to be like Israel, or like your apostles, in their moments of reluctance or doubt.  We want to be like them in their moments of openness and unwavering zeal.  And we want to be like their surprising neighbors who trusted You boldly in their odd circumstances.

Sometimes, when You confront us with your word, our anger is aroused.  Enable us to see past our anger to the truth about who You are and what You can accomplish among us by your powerful word.  Amen.