Prayer for September 14-20, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 18:21-35

That we may release all of our claims on each other

Forgiving God, enable us to be generously forgiving with others, just as You have been with us.  Keep us from keeping track of each others’ offenses.  Keep us from believing that forgiveness is a commodity in short supply, or that we have fulfilled our responsibility to forgive when we have forgiven others on a few occasions.

Help us to be mindful of the great debt You have forgiven for us.  Fill us with gratitude and joy.  Enable us to turn our faces to each other in that mode of gratitude and joy, so that we may celebrate your great forgiveness together and release all of our claims upon each other.  

We rejoice that You have forgiven what we could not pay.  We promise to forgive others by your Spirit’s aid.  Amen.

Prayer for September 7-13, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 18:15-20

That we may hold each other accountable in love

God of all, help us to be responsible for each other and hold each other accountable in love.  When one of us sees another sin, give us courage and compassion to confront that brother or sister with truth and gentleness and discretion.

Do not let us get caught up in trying to catch one another in sin.  But do not let us turn a blind eye to blatant sin that diminishes or enslaves our sister or brother and weakens the community of faith.

Help us to practice communal discipline that begins with each of us doing all we can to align our lives with your word and encouraging each other in doing so.  Help us help each other to be more closely linked to You through your Spirit active among us.  

May we prayerfully seek reconciliation with and for each other, so that we may be fully one in Christ.  We ask in the name of Jesus who has promised his presence with us.  Amen.

Prayer for August 31-September 6, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 16:21-28

That we may give ourselves fully to God’s plan to redeem and heal the world

Jesus, help us to remember that You have called your disiciples to take up their own crosses as they follow You.  Help us to remember that the way in which You lead us is not a smoothly paved path that is fenced off from all potential harm.

Enable us to trust You even when You lead us through rough and dangerous places.  Enable us to trust You enough to endure opposition and even persecution for our faith.  Enable us to die to selfish ambition and set aside our own plans for our lives in order to answer your call.  Help us to give ourselves fully to You and to God’s plan to redeem and heal the world through You.

We trust in your reign among us, even though much of what we observe suggests that your reign is still far off.   

Let us honor You with our actions as your Spirit helps and guides us.  Amen.

Prayer for August 24-30, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 16:13-20

That everything in our lives will conform to the devotion that is due to Jesus

God our Creator, thank You for revealing yourself in Jesus.  Thank You for revealing that Jesus is your Anointed One, Sovereign over every nation and over all that You have made.

Enable us to see Jesus clearly and follow Jesus quickly.

Do not let us be divided in our loyalty by trying to practice absolute fidelity to

          Jesus . . . and our nation;

          Jesus . . . and our political party;

          Jesus . . . and our family;

          Jesus . . . and our wealth;

          Jesus . . . and anything else that is part of your creation.

Help us to realize that all other allegiances must be guided, critiqued, and modified to conform to the absolute devotion that is due to Jesus, who reigns among us as your agent of compassion and healing.  

Enable us to act as agents of your reign, in Christ, by acting in ways that bind people, structures and systems to You for your glory and honor.  Amen.

Prayer for August 17-23, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 15:10-28

That we have been healed, nourished and identified as people of faith

Jesus, we rejoice in You.  We rejoice that when You came among your covenant people to gather, heal and renew them in faithfulness to God’s reign, You also touched the lives of foreigners and strangers who saw, in You, the answer to their deepest needs and hopes.

We were strangers and outsiders to God’s promises to Israel, but we have eaten the crumbs that fell from the full table You provided for Israel, and we have been healed and nourished and identified as people of faith because of your generous provision. 

Enable us to trust You deeply.  Enable us to live in joyful gratitude for your diverse gifts that cover every need.  We await with joy the day when You will host your grand banquet for all whom You have drawn together and identified as your own.  Amen.

Prayer for August 10-16, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 14:22-33

That we may go with courage wherever You send us

Jesus—our Leader, Teacher, Savior and Friend—how easily we forget that You can do all things, even after we have seen You act with authority and power that inspire both humility and awe.

We do not want to walk on water, Jesus.  But we do want to go with courage to all of the places You send us.  We do want to trust You in every circumstance.  We do want to keep our eyes on You and follow your example of compassionate care for those who are hungry for food, as well as for those who long for God’s presence. 

Deepen our faith.  Strengthen our resolve.  Give us courage for every moment of opportunity and every time of trial.  We trust You as fully as we can.  Amen.

Prayer for August 3-9, 2014 

Sermon Text: Matthew 14:13-21

That we may assist those who hunger for food and hunger for You

God of all, we rejoice that You are merciful and compassionate.  We rejoice in your healing power.  We rejoice in your desire to feed the hungry.  And we rejoice that You are able to use Jesus’ followers as agents of your ample provision, even when we do not fully understand or trust your ability to provide for every need and satisfy every heart.  

God, enable us to see with compassion as Jesus did.  Enable us to be glad agents of your healing and provision for those who hunger for food and hunger for You.  Multiply our efforts as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish.  May your name be praised as we act in trust.  Amen.