Sermon Text: John 20:19-31
That we may practice forgiveness readily
God of resurrection, we rejoice that Christ Jesus, whom You raised, is able to speak peace to us and overcome our fears. His living presence among us is cause for our greatest joy. Alleluia!
We rejoice that in the authority You gave him, Jesus imparted your Spirit to us to comfort us, teach us, energize us for ministry and enable us to forgive as You have forgiven us. Alleluia!
Enable us to practice forgiveness readily, so that others may realize that You are “slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.”
We rejoice that Jesus is able to overcome our doubts so that we may see and acclaim him as Lord and God. Though we have not heard, seen and touched Jesus in the flesh, You have revealed yourself through him and we follow him with gladness. Alleluia!
May the life of the Risen One energize us as we worship You daily and witness about You with boldness. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Prayer for April 8-14, 2012
Sermon Text: Mark 16:1-8
That we may praise You beyond our doubts and fears
God of new life, we rejoice that You raised Jesus from death. We rejoice that all attempts to silence and subdue him were defeated by your life-giving power. We rejoice that You led witnesses to the tomb so that they might tell others, who told others, who kept passing on the story, with the guidance of your Spirit, so that we, too, have heard the astonishing words, “He has risen!”
At times we have trembled and questioned in fear and doubt. We have resisted the testimony of life from death. We have kept silent rather than speak an audacious word of witness to the impossible made possible.
Nevertheless, we sing “Alleluia!” We praise You with our whole being. In spite of fears and doubts, past and present, we acknowledge You as God of all and our God. Nothing is impossible for You! You are worthy of all praise, and we give it gladly. Amen.
Dear friends, Sorry for this late post. I left town for a few days after Easter worship. Dave
That we may praise You beyond our doubts and fears
God of new life, we rejoice that You raised Jesus from death. We rejoice that all attempts to silence and subdue him were defeated by your life-giving power. We rejoice that You led witnesses to the tomb so that they might tell others, who told others, who kept passing on the story, with the guidance of your Spirit, so that we, too, have heard the astonishing words, “He has risen!”
At times we have trembled and questioned in fear and doubt. We have resisted the testimony of life from death. We have kept silent rather than speak an audacious word of witness to the impossible made possible.
Nevertheless, we sing “Alleluia!” We praise You with our whole being. In spite of fears and doubts, past and present, we acknowledge You as God of all and our God. Nothing is impossible for You! You are worthy of all praise, and we give it gladly. Amen.
Dear friends, Sorry for this late post. I left town for a few days after Easter worship. Dave
Monday, April 2, 2012
Prayer for April 1-7, 2012
Sermon Text: Mark 14:1-15:47
That we may pour out our lives for Jesus
Forgiving God, when we consider all that Jesus endured, our hearts are filled with a strange mixture of remorse and thanksgiving.
We are sorry for the many times that we have denied, betrayed, abandoned and misrepresented Jesus. We are sorry for the many ways that our lives have mocked Jesus and caused him pain. We are sorry that our sin contributed to the crushing burden that caused Jesus to cry out and ask why You had forsaken him. We recoil from the horror of that moment!
Forgive us Merciful One! Forgive our many transgressions!
We ask in hope and thankfulness because we know that Jesus completed the work You gave him. Through him, we are justified in your presence and made a part of your household. Through him we have an enduring hope. Through him we have abundant life.
Oh, let us pour out our lives for Jesus without hesitation and without embarrassment, so that others may look to him and see him in his vulnerability and his glory and worship him. Amen.
That we may pour out our lives for Jesus
Forgiving God, when we consider all that Jesus endured, our hearts are filled with a strange mixture of remorse and thanksgiving.
We are sorry for the many times that we have denied, betrayed, abandoned and misrepresented Jesus. We are sorry for the many ways that our lives have mocked Jesus and caused him pain. We are sorry that our sin contributed to the crushing burden that caused Jesus to cry out and ask why You had forsaken him. We recoil from the horror of that moment!
Forgive us Merciful One! Forgive our many transgressions!
We ask in hope and thankfulness because we know that Jesus completed the work You gave him. Through him, we are justified in your presence and made a part of your household. Through him we have an enduring hope. Through him we have abundant life.
Oh, let us pour out our lives for Jesus without hesitation and without embarrassment, so that others may look to him and see him in his vulnerability and his glory and worship him. Amen.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Prayer for March 25-31, 2012
Sermon Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34
That we may walk with You in joy each day
Covenant making God, we rejoice in You. We rejoice that when your people failed to keep covenant, when we failed in all our own attempts to be your people by our own effort and ingenuity, You acted in mercy.
You made a new covenant with us in Christ Jesus.
You inscribed your law on our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit.
You identified yourself with us, and named us as your own.
You revealed yourself to us, that we might know You and worship You in your sovereignty and glory.
You forgave our sins, forgetting them and freeing us from the power they held over our lives.
Glorious One, You took all of the initiative to deliver us from the chaos of our lives and discipline and shape us for covenant fidelity and fruitfulness.
Enable us to walk with you in joy each day. May your generous blessing spread to others through our lives. Amen.
That we may walk with You in joy each day
Covenant making God, we rejoice in You. We rejoice that when your people failed to keep covenant, when we failed in all our own attempts to be your people by our own effort and ingenuity, You acted in mercy.
You made a new covenant with us in Christ Jesus.
You inscribed your law on our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit.
You identified yourself with us, and named us as your own.
You revealed yourself to us, that we might know You and worship You in your sovereignty and glory.
You forgave our sins, forgetting them and freeing us from the power they held over our lives.
Glorious One, You took all of the initiative to deliver us from the chaos of our lives and discipline and shape us for covenant fidelity and fruitfulness.
Enable us to walk with you in joy each day. May your generous blessing spread to others through our lives. Amen.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Prayer for March 18-24, 2012
Sermon Text: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
That we may act in grateful obedience
God of all the earth, we rejoice in your enduring love. We rejoice that You have gathered us together as your people, redeemed by your own choice and by your intervention in our lives.
When we acted foolishly, diminishing ourselves by our rebellious ways and bringing sickness and suffering upon ourselves, You answered our cries for help. You brought healing. You saved us from death. Our God, how we rejoice in You!
Forgive us when we are still inclined to rebel against You and act as though the life You have given us is a burden and not a blessing. Forgive us when we forget the troubles that our sin has already brought us. Guard our hearts and minds! Protect us from foolishness!
Enable us to act in grateful obedience each day. We would be dead apart from your love. As we remember You, we sing with joy. Amen.
That we may act in grateful obedience
God of all the earth, we rejoice in your enduring love. We rejoice that You have gathered us together as your people, redeemed by your own choice and by your intervention in our lives.
When we acted foolishly, diminishing ourselves by our rebellious ways and bringing sickness and suffering upon ourselves, You answered our cries for help. You brought healing. You saved us from death. Our God, how we rejoice in You!
Forgive us when we are still inclined to rebel against You and act as though the life You have given us is a burden and not a blessing. Forgive us when we forget the troubles that our sin has already brought us. Guard our hearts and minds! Protect us from foolishness!
Enable us to act in grateful obedience each day. We would be dead apart from your love. As we remember You, we sing with joy. Amen.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Prayer for March 11-17, 2012
Sermon Text: Psalm 19
That we may be steadfast in faithfulness and pure in heart
God, You are glorious. We realize that whenever we gaze at length on the handiwork of your creation. It sings your praise without words and urges us to add our own unique voice to the hymn of your glory.
We also recognize your glory when we carefully consider your instructions, your commands. Your law provides us with great wisdom and guidance. It brings us new energy and joy as it illuminates our lives. It awes us and enables us to honor You in humility.
We meditate on your law that guides our fidelity and find great wealth, rich nourishment, protective warning, and undeserved reward.
O God, your perfect word also enables us to see our sin and makes it clear, to us, that we are always in need of your help and your forgiveness. Protect us from willful, presumptuous sin and make us blameless in your sight.
Our Rock and Redeemer, enable us to be steadfast in faithfulness, and pure in heart, as we make your word, given to us in your freedom, the foundation of our entire life. Amen.
That we may be steadfast in faithfulness and pure in heart
God, You are glorious. We realize that whenever we gaze at length on the handiwork of your creation. It sings your praise without words and urges us to add our own unique voice to the hymn of your glory.
We also recognize your glory when we carefully consider your instructions, your commands. Your law provides us with great wisdom and guidance. It brings us new energy and joy as it illuminates our lives. It awes us and enables us to honor You in humility.
We meditate on your law that guides our fidelity and find great wealth, rich nourishment, protective warning, and undeserved reward.
O God, your perfect word also enables us to see our sin and makes it clear, to us, that we are always in need of your help and your forgiveness. Protect us from willful, presumptuous sin and make us blameless in your sight.
Our Rock and Redeemer, enable us to be steadfast in faithfulness, and pure in heart, as we make your word, given to us in your freedom, the foundation of our entire life. Amen.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Prayer for March 4-10, 2012
Sermon Text: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
That we may walk with You in righteousness
Covenant Maker, we rejoice in You. We rejoice that You have revealed yourself to us. We rejoice that You have invited us to walk with You and have enabled us to live in righteousness before You.
All that we are, all that we have, and all that we hope for comes from your action on our behalf, your gifts to us, your call upon us, and your faithful promises for a future in your presence.
You have shaped our identity for life with You and we praise You gladly.
You have blessed us and made us fruitful, as an expression of your unmatched generosity, for which we praise You with thanksgiving.
You have been so faithful to us that we await the future You are shaping with buoyant hope and robust joy. Amen.
That we may walk with You in righteousness
Covenant Maker, we rejoice in You. We rejoice that You have revealed yourself to us. We rejoice that You have invited us to walk with You and have enabled us to live in righteousness before You.
All that we are, all that we have, and all that we hope for comes from your action on our behalf, your gifts to us, your call upon us, and your faithful promises for a future in your presence.
You have shaped our identity for life with You and we praise You gladly.
You have blessed us and made us fruitful, as an expression of your unmatched generosity, for which we praise You with thanksgiving.
You have been so faithful to us that we await the future You are shaping with buoyant hope and robust joy. Amen.
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