Prayer for July 26 - August 1, 2015

Sermon Text: John 6:1-21

Jesus, like the crowds, we often follow You because we are more interested in what you can do for us than we are in following wherever You lead or going wherever You command.

Jesus, like the disciples, when we are confronted by significant need, we often look at each other, take inventory of our resources, and conclude: “There is not enough.  We cannot respond.”

Then . . . You take what seems so meager from our hands, bless it, distribute it, and those seemingly inadequate resources become enough for all to share them.  

Jesus, stir our hearts to seek You in order to participate in your generous mission.  Open our hearts to trust You and to see that You have adequate resources, for every need, when those who seek You receive and share with gladness.  Amen.

Prayer for July 19-25, 2015

Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 7:1-14

God, how often we make our plans and take care of our perceived needs, and then turn our thoughts to You and imagine that we will provide something that You need.

Even the wise among us sometimes become confused about what is good and necessary in order to please You.  Even those most devoted to You sometimes run ahead of your guiding word and make plans that do not represent your plans or desires.

     You are free and active among us.

     You have called and made us your own.

     You have been with us continually.

     You have protected us and provided for us.

     You have loved us beyond our imagining.

     You have all You need and we are in constant need of You and 

     your goodness.  

Only as we wait upon You and heed your word do we discover that our future is secure.  Amen.

Prayer for July 12-18, 2015

Sermon Text: 2 Samuel 6:1-19; Ephesians 1:3-14

That we may live for the praise of your glory

You who are worthy of all praise, unleash us to worship You with all of our heart, mind and energy.

Enable us to forget about ourselves in order to focus on your surpassing greatness, your faithfulness and compassion, your acts of righteousness through which your healing, liberating power has been made available to all of creation.

Even when we feel that we have been traumatized and grieved by You, help us to remember your many blessings and renew our praise in song and dance.  

Let us truly live to praise You in your glory.  Amen.

PRAYER FOR JULY 5-11, 2015

Sermon Text: Mark 6:1-13

That we may be empowered for fruitful ministry

Jesus, sometimes when we grow familiar with You we fail to perceive your authority, take offense at the demands that You make upon our lives, and stymie your work among us by our lack of faith.

Let your power and authority penetrate our dull minds and enable us to understand who You are and how You act among us.

Let your Spirit energize us for obedience, so that we may speak and act with courage and enthusiasm to bring your healing and liberation into every place to which you call us.

Give us deep trust in your ability to act among us and make God’s reign visible among us and through us.  

We do nothing in our own power, but trust in your empowerment to make us fruitful laborers.  Amen.

Prayer for June 28-July 4, 2015 

Sermon Text: Mark 5:21-43

That we may receive your healing word and touch

Jesus, we rejoice that You did not remain aloof or act with condescension toward the poor and sick people whom You encountered.  We rejoice that You answered—and do answer—pleas for help.  We rejoice that You accompanied—and do accompany—the fearful who turned to You because of their love for another.  And we thank You for pausing, as You went your way, in order to respond to another who reached beyond her fear to touch You in her need.  

Jesus, we rejoice in your authority and ability to heal by a touch or a word.  We rejoice in your willingness.  And we turn to You for our own healing, trusting that You will work within us in ways that give us new energy and joy as we follow You.  Amen. 

Prayer for June 21-27, 2015 

Sermon Text: Mark 4:35-41

That we may trust You even under deep threat

Creator God, sometimes it seems that we live from terror to terror.  We are frightened and overwhelmed by the events of our lives as well as by the larger events that seem to engulf the whole world in chaos. 

But we are just as frightened—maybe more frightened—by your action among us.  We do not comprehend your abilities.  We do not believe that You can create peace in the midst of chaotic circumstances, and we are confused and fearful when You do bring an unexpected measure of peace by calming the fearful tumult around us.

We are fearful.  Our faith is weak.  Enable us to trust You enough that we do not panic when threatening circumstances arise.  Enable us to turn to You with confidence, knowing that You are able to face every challenge with authority.  

We will trust in You as You help us to do so.  Amen.

Prayer for June 14-20, 2015 

Sermon Text: Mark 4:26-34

That we may fulfill our small roles in your enlarged reign

Sovereign God, we like to imagine that we have control of many things.  We work to manage or control events that seem to swirl around us.  We even believe, at times, that we can exercise control over the good that You are doing in the world.

But your reign among us is commonly enlarged in the quiet times and spaces when we are inactive and unconscious of all that You are doing behind the scenes of our lives. 

You are enlarging your reign in ways that we neither see nor control.  You are assuring that it will provide security and shelter for many.  You are bringing it to fruitfulness and preparing us to participate in harvesting the growth that You give.  

Enable us to fulfill the roles that You have given to us, even as we remember that it is You who reign and You who guarantee that your realm will be one of healing, peace, and great glory.  Amen.