Sermon Text: Genesis 28:10-19a
That we will answer your surprising presence with humble obedience
God of glory, in the midst of our fights and our flights, in the midst of places strange and unsettling dreams, You surprise us by your presence. You meet us where we had not expected to find You. You awaken us with awe and with a deep awareness of our own unholiness and inadequacy before you. You make promises and offer blessing as gracious gift beyond anything we could earn. You welcome us into your household.
We bow before You in humility. We worship You with gladness. We submit ourselves to You as obedient servants, but also as beloved children who are completely dependent upon You.
We rejoice in your blessing and we ask that You enable us to channel your love to many others, so they might know that they are blessed by You too. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Prayer for July 10-16, 2011
Sermon Text: Genesis 25:19-34
That we will practice confident generosity as we trust in You
God, our Provider, we rejoice in the consistency of your provision for us. You have met all of our needs and You have given us one blessing after another. You have shown yourself trustworthy in all things, and You have enabled us to trust in You.
Forgive us when we lose sight of your ample provision and act as though we are in competition with each other, or in competition with our scattered sisters and brothers in faith. Help us see clearly that you have created enough for all of us. Help us open our hands to share with each other, so that all enjoy the sufficiency of your provision.
Help us keep perspective even in times of deprivation or difficulty. Do not let us make rash decisions, about momentary needs, that threaten our full participation in your eternal realm. Help us remember that You are with us, and that You will provide for us even as we open our hearts and hands to our brothers and sisters in their need. Enable us to live without anxiety before You. Amen.
That we will practice confident generosity as we trust in You
God, our Provider, we rejoice in the consistency of your provision for us. You have met all of our needs and You have given us one blessing after another. You have shown yourself trustworthy in all things, and You have enabled us to trust in You.
Forgive us when we lose sight of your ample provision and act as though we are in competition with each other, or in competition with our scattered sisters and brothers in faith. Help us see clearly that you have created enough for all of us. Help us open our hands to share with each other, so that all enjoy the sufficiency of your provision.
Help us keep perspective even in times of deprivation or difficulty. Do not let us make rash decisions, about momentary needs, that threaten our full participation in your eternal realm. Help us remember that You are with us, and that You will provide for us even as we open our hearts and hands to our brothers and sisters in their need. Enable us to live without anxiety before You. Amen.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Prayer for July 3-9, 2011
Sermon Text: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
That we will seek your guidance for every endeavor
God, we praise you for your constant faithfulness to us! We rejoice that You have often answered our prayers before they have been completed in our minds or on our lips. We thank You for guiding our journey of faith. Even though your guidance was often hidden, in the moment, You consistently brought us to places of fulfillment and blessing prepared by You in your mercy.
Because You are trustworthy, we trust You with our lives. Because You are faithful, we have faith in You. We draw hope and strength from your promises to us and your presence with us.
Give us many opportunities to tell others about the ways You have been close to us and have guided us through the various turns in our journey. We glory in You, for You are glorious! Amen.
That we will seek your guidance for every endeavor
God, we praise you for your constant faithfulness to us! We rejoice that You have often answered our prayers before they have been completed in our minds or on our lips. We thank You for guiding our journey of faith. Even though your guidance was often hidden, in the moment, You consistently brought us to places of fulfillment and blessing prepared by You in your mercy.
Because You are trustworthy, we trust You with our lives. Because You are faithful, we have faith in You. We draw hope and strength from your promises to us and your presence with us.
Give us many opportunities to tell others about the ways You have been close to us and have guided us through the various turns in our journey. We glory in You, for You are glorious! Amen.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Prayer for June 26 - July 2, 2011
Sermon Text: Matthew 10:40-42
That we will welcome your disciples with generosity
Generous God, help us practice generous hospitality to every person You send our way, but especially to your disciples who come to us in need. Help us to recognize their identification with Christ Jesus and welcome them just as we would welcome Jesus.
You have invited us into your presence with such grace that we want to share your grace with others. Enable us to maintain hearts and hands that are open to welcome and serve others.
Forgive us when our hearts are cold and we refuse to welcome others. Forgive us when we refuse to share the resources You have provided so that others may be nourished and strengthened by them too.
Let our lives reflect your character more fully. Allow us to live in ways that convince others of your presence and your undying love. Amen.
That we will welcome your disciples with generosity
Generous God, help us practice generous hospitality to every person You send our way, but especially to your disciples who come to us in need. Help us to recognize their identification with Christ Jesus and welcome them just as we would welcome Jesus.
You have invited us into your presence with such grace that we want to share your grace with others. Enable us to maintain hearts and hands that are open to welcome and serve others.
Forgive us when our hearts are cold and we refuse to welcome others. Forgive us when we refuse to share the resources You have provided so that others may be nourished and strengthened by them too.
Let our lives reflect your character more fully. Allow us to live in ways that convince others of your presence and your undying love. Amen.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Prayer for June 19-25, 2011
Sermon Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
That we will celebrate your creation as good stewards
God of all, we rejoice in the wondrous beauty and order that You have created by your brooding Spirit and effective Word. We share your delight in your Creation!
How often we stand in awe when we gaze upon the vastness of your work, or when we stoop to examine the intricacies of some small part of this world.
Even our own bodies, made in your image, are marvellous in their design and durability. We praise You for your care in creating them!
Enable us to protect and enhance the goodness of this world You created by thoughtful and caring stewardship. Help us remember that You still bring order from chaos, that You still create new realities among us, that we are creatures in the midst of your creation, and that You alone are worthy of our thanks and praise. Amen.
That we will celebrate your creation as good stewards
God of all, we rejoice in the wondrous beauty and order that You have created by your brooding Spirit and effective Word. We share your delight in your Creation!
How often we stand in awe when we gaze upon the vastness of your work, or when we stoop to examine the intricacies of some small part of this world.
Even our own bodies, made in your image, are marvellous in their design and durability. We praise You for your care in creating them!
Enable us to protect and enhance the goodness of this world You created by thoughtful and caring stewardship. Help us remember that You still bring order from chaos, that You still create new realities among us, that we are creatures in the midst of your creation, and that You alone are worthy of our thanks and praise. Amen.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Prayer for June 12-18, 2011
Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-21
That we may invite many to turn to You
God of wonders, we rejoice that in your mercy and timing You sent your Spirit among your people in fulfillment of your promise to pour your Spirit on all flesh. Even though we had no claim on You, we rejoice that You have included us in your promise.
We are amazed by the transformation of your followers into energetic witnesses about your great work among your people. We rejoice that your Spirit overcame communication barriers in order to give understanding to people of many languages. Most of all, we rejoice and praise You for the invitation to call on your name and receive salvation from You.
God of Mercy, inflame and energize us by your Spirit. Enable us to witness boldly for You. Enable us to overcome every communication barrier in order to tell about You and your promises. Help us to spread your invitation to receive your salvation and your peace. Let us see many people turn to You in hope. Amen.
That we may invite many to turn to You
God of wonders, we rejoice that in your mercy and timing You sent your Spirit among your people in fulfillment of your promise to pour your Spirit on all flesh. Even though we had no claim on You, we rejoice that You have included us in your promise.
We are amazed by the transformation of your followers into energetic witnesses about your great work among your people. We rejoice that your Spirit overcame communication barriers in order to give understanding to people of many languages. Most of all, we rejoice and praise You for the invitation to call on your name and receive salvation from You.
God of Mercy, inflame and energize us by your Spirit. Enable us to witness boldly for You. Enable us to overcome every communication barrier in order to tell about You and your promises. Help us to spread your invitation to receive your salvation and your peace. Let us see many people turn to You in hope. Amen.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Prayer for June 5-11, 2011
Sermon Text: Acts 1:6-14
That we will be empowered for energetic witness
Loving God, you have given us the scriptures as your word, you have placed your Spirit within us, and you have given us many other experiences and resources to enable us to tell about You to our closest neighbors and to others who are more distant from us.
Forgive us when we have been timid about telling others all that You have done for your people and all that You have done in our lives. Forgive us when we have assumed that faith in You is simply one option for life and not the center and source of all life, including our lives and the lives of others who do not yet know You. Forgive us when we have not loved our neighbors enough to speak about You.
Empower us, by your Spirit, for energetic and courageous witness. Help us to internalize and remember your word and utilize it to speak with wisdom, compassion and clarity. Enable us to discern the moments when others are ready to hear about You and turn to You. Help us clear the way for them by trusting your guidance as we speak and act. We want to be your fruitful witnesses. Help us today Amen.
That we will be empowered for energetic witness
Loving God, you have given us the scriptures as your word, you have placed your Spirit within us, and you have given us many other experiences and resources to enable us to tell about You to our closest neighbors and to others who are more distant from us.
Forgive us when we have been timid about telling others all that You have done for your people and all that You have done in our lives. Forgive us when we have assumed that faith in You is simply one option for life and not the center and source of all life, including our lives and the lives of others who do not yet know You. Forgive us when we have not loved our neighbors enough to speak about You.
Empower us, by your Spirit, for energetic and courageous witness. Help us to internalize and remember your word and utilize it to speak with wisdom, compassion and clarity. Enable us to discern the moments when others are ready to hear about You and turn to You. Help us clear the way for them by trusting your guidance as we speak and act. We want to be your fruitful witnesses. Help us today Amen.
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