Prayer for September 23-29, 2018
Sermon Text: Mark 9:30-37
That
we may give up competition for hospitality
Jesus, even though we seldom argue, publicly, about which of us is
greatest, which of us deserves to be closest to You and share your power, we
are frequently comparing ourselves to each other, assessing our brothers and
sisters in ways that make us look better to ourselves, and vying for preeminence
within the community of believers.
You show us an alternative way by becoming Servant of All. You give
yourself completely to and for us. You walk the way of obedience and service in
spite of knowing that great suffering lies ahead.
You make no grand claims for yourself.* You do not compare yourself with
those around You. Instead, You act with tenderness and hospitality, embracing
those who are commonly weak and overlooked.
You invite us to do the same. And you assure us that in welcoming those
who are weak, we welcome You and the One who sent You. Close our hearts and
minds toward competition with one another. Open them for a broad practice of
hospitality. Amen.
* In the context of Mark, most significant, direct claims for Jesus are not made by him.
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