Prayer for July 7-13, 2013 

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14

That we may direct others to your healing care

God of all, we rejoice that your sovereignty, your guidance, and your blessing operate outside the boundaries that we often assume for You.

     We rejoice that your knowledge, wisdom, and faith are available to people who seem insignificant in the course of human affairs, people with no status or power, unknown to us, yet known by You.  And we rejoice that such people are able to point to your presence and your provision and open doors to hope that are not otherwise visible.

     We rejoice that your healing power operates beyond the fearful control of political powers.  And we rejoice that You call and empower prophets who act for healing and peace with confidence that You are able to do all things.

     Finally, we rejoice that occasionally those with power, status and success, including some of us, are able to hear the promising voices of your servants and turn to You for healing.  Amen.

Prayer for June 30-July 6, 2006

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 2:1-14

That we may live as your prophetic people

O God, we want to be your servants.  We want to answer your call upon our lives even when that requires that we face adversity and loss.

Give us the tenacity that Elisha showed as he followed Elijah, knowing that he would soon be separated from his mentor and friend.

Give us the deep desire for your presence and energizing power Elisha showed when he requested a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit.

Enable us to trust in You and call upon your name, as our God, and God of our many predecessors, teachers, and mentors in faith.

We would walk with You in faithfulness, seeking your mercy and justice, practicing your truth and love in a world that quickly turns a deaf ear to your voice.  Enable us to live as your prophetic people.  Amen.

Prayer for June 23-29, 2013 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 19:1-15a

That we will experience your presence anew and be reenergized for witness

O God, when we face opposition and threat because of our faithfulness to You, You know.

When we want to flee to some distant place of perceived safety or when we simply want to sink into our despair, You know.

You know where we have been.

You know where we are.

You know where we are going.

Even in the midst of our despair, You come to us and nurture us and give us energy beyond our resources.

You rouse us from our slumber and send us in a new direction.

When chaos and clamor surround us, You speak to us in a quiet voice that exposes our lack of trust and stands us in awe of your presence.

You hear our words of fear and frustration and loneliness and direct us back into the struggle for faithfulness and justice by your revelation of your self to us.

At times, we feel no more certain, no more secure, no more courageous; but we go where You lead and your presence is enough.  Amen.

Prayer for June 16-22, 2013 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 21:1-14

That we may faithfully speak your truth and seek your justice

God of all, we rejoice that in every generation You raise up prophets who encounter injustice by your empowering presence and your penetrating word.  By your encouraging presence, your prophets call to account and sometimes dismantle powers that coerce, confiscate, enslave and destroy. 

     We rejoice that You are able to expose truth when it has been hidden behind lies and deception.  Let truth be seen and comprehended among us!

     We rejoice that You are able to bring political powers and authorities to account when they abuse power for personal gain.  By your Spirit, and by your prophets, work within our political structures to purge corruption and firmly establish justice as the norm by which our leaders lead and by which policies and laws are enacted.

     Enable us, as your people, to be faithful in speaking your truth and seeking your justice.  Amen.

Prayer for June 9-15, 2013 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 17:8-24

That we may be wise and prayerful agents of your compassion

God of wisdom and power, we rejoice in your creative energy.  We rejoice that when You call us to serve You, and send us to unfamiliar places, that You provide what we need and enable us to trust in You.  You enable us to see your abundance even when scarcity seems to stare us in the face.  You bless us with your goodness and bless others through us as well.  By your Spirit, You even allow us to speak true words that comfort grief and calm fear.

God of all life, enable us to be agents of your truth and your life-giving power.  Enable us to pray with wisdom and insight for those who are in crisis and bereft of help.  Answer our prayers by bringing healing and new life to those for whom we pour out our hearts in prayer.  May others truly encounter You, acknowledge the truth of your presence, and trust in You through our ministry and friendship.  Amen.

Prayer for June 2-8, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 7:1-10

That your authority will move us to bold witness and service

Jesus, our Master and Guide, we rejoice in your authority as it has been witnessed to by your apostles and preached in the life of the church.

We rejoice that You create, sustain, recover and renew your people and your creation by your authoritative and life-generating word.

We rejoice in the fact that many people have trusted in your authority and humbly allowed You to act in healing and redeeming ways in their lives.

We submit our lives to the authority of your word.  We commit ourselves to obey You with complete devotion.  We gladly pursue your commission to make disciples throughout the world because we know that the success of your mission is more dependent upon your authority than upon our ingenuity.

We await with hope the day when every knee, including our own, will bow to your authority, and every tongue confess You and bring glory to God.  Amen.

Prayer for May 26-June 1, 2013 

Sermon Text: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

That your wisdom will root deeply within us and empower every choice and action

Still Speaking God, we rejoice that your voice of wisdom has called to us many times and in many ways.

     We have heard your voice: through Moses and the instruction You gave him for Israel; through various prophets whose words were both imaginative and irritating; through the songs of your poets and the sayings of your sages; but supremely through Jesus, who embodied and declared your wisdom in unique and unrepeatable ways.

     We thank You, Holy One.

     Today, we hear your wisdom through your apostles who testify to Jesus, but also through our varied companions on the journey with You.

     We rejoice that You have made your wisdom available to us.  Let it sink its roots deep in our thoughts and emotions so that it empowers every choice and every action.  May every dimension of our lives be transformed so that it reflects your wisdom for your glory.  Amen