Prayer for July 8-14, 2018

Sermon Text: Mark 6:1-13

That we may move beyond our settled assumptions to receive your gifts and carry on your ministry

Jesus, we rejoice in your wise instruction. We rejoice that You proclaim God’s nearness and call us to repentance so that we may enter into the life of freedom and joy that God intends for us. We rejoice that You are able to heal and liberate from the dominating power of impure spirits.

But we are saddened and sorry that in our easy familiarity with You and our lack of trust in You, we often limit your ability to do works of healing and liberation among us.

Forgive us for our settled assumptions about what You are able to do. Forgive us for closing and hardening our hearts to your life-giving works.

Forgive us! Transform us! Energize us!  

Send us to neighbors near and far in order to tell about what You have done among us, and to act as your agents of healing and liberation. As we act as agents of your reign, help us not to be overly concerned about the provisions we are able to assemble, but to trust You to energize us, help us, and fill us with your own courage and compassion. Amen.

Prayer for July 1-7, 2018

Sermon Text: Mark 5:21-43

That we may trust You for healing and be agents of your healing

Christ Jesus, we cry to You for healing. We stretch our hands to touch even the hem of your garment. We plead for healing on behalf of our loved ones.

We easily reach the limit of our ability. We frequently exhaust the best of our resources. So we turn to You. We often wait until there is nowhere else to turn, but we turn to You with at least a glimmer of hope.

We rejoice in your healing ability. We rejoice that You are able to restore wholeness when all resources have been exhausted and all hope seems to be gone. We rejoice that You are able to recognize the tiny shred of faith that we exercise in desperation.  

Thank You for your healing presence and your healing touch. Let us become agents of your healing for those around us who are sick, injured and disabled. Amen.

Prayer for June 24-30, 2018 

Sermon Text: Mark 4:35-41

That we may trust You fully when chaos threatens

Jesus, we often face chaotic storms that threaten to swamp our lives or capsize us. Sometimes we remain calm and trust You fully during the threat. At other times we panic and wonder if You really care about our fate.

You do not panic as You respond to our cries. You calm us by your alert presence and by your word that is able to bring order out of chaos.

Some days, however, your powerful presence is even more terrifying to us than the chaos that threatens us.  Then, it becomes clear that we do not fully understand who You are and what You are able to do among us.

Forgive us when our faith is weak. Forgive us when panic overwhelms trust. Forgive us when we are terrified by your presence. Forgive us when we underestimate your ability.  

Calm us. Instruct us. Free us from our fears. Fill us with trust and hope. Amen.

Prayer for June 17-23. 2018 

Sermon Text: Mark 4:26-34

That we may do the right work at the right time and trust You for harvest

Sovereign, we know that the presence and extension of your reign among us is not under our control. We know that your reign moves and grows in mystery, but in the end will provide shelter for a vast multitude who draw near You in hope.

We know that the tasks You give us to complete in faith do not cause growth or force a harvest of life. Still, we ask that You will enable us to scatter seed with generosity, await abundant growth with patience, and reap with eagerness what You have caused to grow ripe and ready for harvest.  

Do not let us grow weary or apathetic about the possibilities for new life and harvest. Give us energy to do the right work at the right time. We leave the rest to You! Amen.