Prayer for May 19-25, 2013

Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-21

That we may receive vision and energy from your Spirit

God of all, pour your Spirit upon us again!

     Let your power be evident in our lives!

     By your Spirit, break down every barrier to communication between us

and others to whom You intend us to minister!

     Enable us to speak your word boldly and convincingly!

     Enable us to prophesy in ways that cause others to turn to You in repentance and walk the new paths that You illuminate for them!

     Enable us to prophesy in ways that challenge and topple structures that thrive and profit from death and destruction or by the enslavement of people whom You love!

     Give us powerful visions of the new world that You are creating!

     Enable us to pursue the vision You give us with tenacity, delight and love!

     Let many whom we encounter be stirred to call on your name and find new life in You.  Amen.

Prayer for May 12-18, 2013

Sermon Text: Acts 16:16-34

That we may live fully into the freedom and fullness You intend for us

Liberating God, we rejoice that You call your people to be agents of your freedom.  We rejoice that your word and your power are able to work through us in spite of our many limitations.  We rejoice that You are at work to overcome obstacles to the compassionate service of your people in the world.

     Even in the face of strong resistance, your word communicates your compassion effectively, and your power is able to transform people, situations and systems.

     Enable us to live fully into the freedom and fullness that You intend for us.  Guide us to the people and places where your liberating word and power are most desperately needed.  Enable us to bring your freedom even when we must face accusation and injury and know more fully the cost of love.

     We rejoice in You.  We serve You with gladness.  We celebrate your life-changing love and power.  Amen.

Prayer for for May 5-11, 2013

Sermon Text: Acts 16:9-15

That dreams and visions will lead through obedience to expanded communion with others

God of all things, including our thoughts, we rejoice that your Spirit gives dreams and visions to guide your people in faithful ministry.  We rejoice that your Spirit gives sensitivity and understanding so that we are able to comprehend your desire for us and respond with decisive obedience and wisdom.

     God, we rejoice that when You call us to do something, You make a way for our obedience.  You lead us into the midst of those people who need to hear your word and receive your healing.  Your Spirit enables our speech so that we may speak your word with fidelity.

     Your Spirit touches hearts so that those who hear are able to open themselves to your presence and experience the transformation of their lives by your abundant grace.

     God of all people, as we follow the guidance of your Spirit for witness and service, You expand our circle of communion so that we may give and receive hospitality and praise your name in the company of others to whom your word has brought new life.  Amen.

Prayer for April 28-May 4, 2013 

Sermon Text: Revelation 21:1-6

That we may live new life, now, as we await the day of fulfillment

You who make all things new, we await the fullness of your reign among us.  You who are Alpha and Omega, we place our lives in your hands.  You are our Beginning and our End.  You are all in all to us!

We rejoice in the visions You give your people, especially the visions of heaven and earth renewed, and of pain, death and grief ended forever.  We rejoice that You will be our tender Comforter who wipes away every tear.  We rejoice that we are invited to drink, even now, from the refreshing spring of new life.

God of new life, enable us to live the new life You give, now, in preparation and readiness for your new heaven and new earth.  Enable us to follow Jesus each day in the power of your Spirit.  Enable us, even now, to be agents of the comfort and healing that You will one day bring among us in fullness.

We await the day of fulfillment with joy.  We sing your praise with great delight.  Amen.

Prayer for April 21-27, 2013 

Sermon Text: Acts 9:36-43

That we may move beyond doubt as we celebrate the new life that You give

God of compassion and mercy, we rejoice when your people respond to the needs of their neighbors with urgency.  We rejoice when You act in power to bring healing and new life.  We rejoice when you turn tears of sorrow to rejoicing and cause good news to be shared widely.

But we are often shocked by news of new life.  We wonder, “How can this be?”  We wonder if the storytellers have misunderstood or embellished the story beyond belief.  We ask why we have not experienced the impossible become real in such ways.

God of wonders, we believe that all things are possible for You.  When we doubt, reassure us by the presence of your Spirit.  Give us faith to trust in You in situations that seem far beyond our control and even impossible.  We celebrate your ability to change, heal, and restore your people and your creation.  Amen.

Note: For personal reasons, I needed to post this prayer early. The prayer for April 7-13 is below.  dka

Prayer for April 14-20, 2013 

Sermon Text: Acts 9:1-20

That we may face our fears in order to extend your welcome and healing

Wonder-working God, what rejection and persecution Christ Jesus has faced in the world—even from some who call upon your name.  What trouble and suffering your faithful ones have endured as they have sought to bear witness with holy speech and compassionate action. 

But . . . what sorrow and evil the church has brought when it has turned the message of Jesus into one of hatred and hurt instead of one of compassion, healing and freedom.

In the wonder of your love, Christ calls people who have rejected and hurt him to follow him as agents of compassion and healing.  Christ calls those who have refused forgiveness and refused to forgive as agents of pardon.  Christ calls those who are bound by pride, and who would bind others to control them, as agents of liberation.

We want to follow Christ, as those who are led by his Spirit, to touch some who resisted him with his healing love.  Enable us to face our fears in order to utter the words of welcome and healing your Spirit gives.  Give us the courage we need for the places we must go and the people we must face in obedience to your instruction.  Amen.

Prayer for April 7-13, 2013 

Sermon Text: Acts 5:27-32

That your Spirit may accomplish your will through our lives

God our Maker, we want to obey You in all things, particularly as You call us to witness and serve others by the guidance of your Holy Spirit.  Help us, Holy One!

We want to act with courageous faith when we encounter resistance to your word or to acts of compassion that truly show forth your love.  Empower us!

Forgive us when we are more concerned about what others think or say about us than we are about your call upon our lives and the extension of your reign in every dimension of life.

Let your Spirit speak and act through us in order that your will may be accomplished.  We place all the gifts You have given to us at your disposal.  We place our reputations and our lives at your disposal.  We stake all that we are and do on your Spirit’s presence and aid.  Amen.