Prayer for July 10-16, 2016

Texts: Genesis 37:3-11, 42:6; Psalm 23; Romans 8:18-39; John 14:1-14

God of all creation, we rejoice in your unfailing mercy and love. We rejoice in your constant care. We rejoice that your Holy Spirit is continuously present with us as Comforter and Guide. We rejoice that You are at work in every situation to do good for your people.

God of all, we believe that your reign is sure. We believe that You are achieving your purposes even though we cannot always see how that is true when we consider our personal circumstances or pay attention to the world around us.

Deepen our trust in You. Make us strong and courageous followers of Jesus. Let your Spirit guide our prayers. Enable us to draw strength from You in every circumstance: in moments of struggle and pain, as well as in moments of opportunity and blessing. 

You are our Sovereign, and we rejoice in You! Amen.

Prayer for July 3-9, 2016

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14

That we will receive your healing and serve as your healing agents

God of all people, no position or power makes us immune to the painful and embarrassing trials of life.

But no trial of sickness, disease, injury, grief, defeat, or sin places us beyond the reach of your prophetic and healing word. We are never beyond your reach. We are never outside of the scope of your mercy. And we can never be sure about whom You will use in order to do your restoring work in our lives.

You are able to use the weakest and most humble people in order to do your powerful work in our lives. You are able to use the familiar and the despised in order to touch our lives with newness.

We like to think that we know the limits within which You are able to work, but You constantly surprise us and show us that You have unlimited ability to achieve your healing, reconciling work in the world.  

We rejoice the ways that You have brought healing to our lives. Use us as agents of your healing for others.  Amen.

Prayer for June 26-July 2, 2016 

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 2:1-14

That we may face the future with determination

Sovereign God, we know that our lives are in your hands. We know that your ways and thoughts are not ours and that your ways are often a great mystery to us. But we rejoice in your wisdom. We trust in your timing. We hope solely and wholly in You.

We will learn from those whom You send to instruct us. We will follow where You lead us. We will seek the help and energy of your Spirit for every task that You give us. We will rejoice in every glimpse that we receive of your power and glory.

Help us not to be afraid. Help us face with determination the future that You are creating for us.

Lead us on, one step at a time, one day at a time, until we have completed our journey with You. 

You are our Source and Destination. You are our Hope and Satisfaction. You are our life. We rejoice in You with abundant praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Prayer for June 19-25, 2016

Sermon Texts: 1 Kings 19:1-15a, Luke 8:26-39

That we will trust You more as You instruct and help us

God, our Help, there are times when we feel that every effort we have made to obey your word and trust fully in your promises and guidance have ended in futility. We feel deeply threatened. We feel alone. We lose hope. We fail to trust You. We forget all of the ways that You have been present with us, provided for us, and empowered us for faithful service.

In the midst of our despair You meet us and provide for us. You nourish and energize us. You draw us to yourself. You ask us what we are doing.  You demonstrate your power and give us a glimpse of your glory. You speak to us in the smallest of whispers, searing our hearts and healing us in imperceptible ways. Finally, you urge us back to life with new tasks. 

Sometimes it seems that very little has changed, but we are able to be a bit less fearful, trust You a bit more, and do as You instruct as You help us. With humble hearts, we thank You for your mercy. Amen.

Prayer for June 12-18, 2016 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 21:1-21a

That our communal life will display your generosity and justice

God of Justice, we know that powerful people are accustomed to getting what they want (and we are too). We know that many will resort to devious and violent means in order to achieve their ends. And we know that many people will simply remain silent in the face of unjust and even deadly action, afraid to draw attention to themselves, afraid to be victimized.

Raise up prophetic voices among us. Enable us to be courageous people of truth. Enable us to speak against the injustice that is so evident in the world around us. Enable your church to confront powers that thrive by greed and violence.

Forgive us when we are so enmeshed in greed that we cannot see the injustice and violence that sustains it. Root out our greed! 

Forgive us for our lack of trust that You are able and are now at work to create a world of compassion and generous sharing in which the needs of all people are met and fear no longer drives lives of greed. Demolish our fears! Energize us for communal living that displays your generosity and justice. Amen.

Prayer for June 5-11, 2016 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 17:8-24: Luke 7:11-17

That our worship will unleash bold acts of ministry

Wise God, we rejoice that You are able to sustain a prophetic word to your people even when political powers and hard-hearted people seek to silence your voice. We rejoice that You are able to provide and to sustain life even when resources seem nonexistent and the future seems bleak. We rejoice that You are able to bring new life from death and new hope from despair. We rejoice that You are able to use your weak and fallible people to perform your wonders of sustenance and healing.

Let our rejoicing generate deeper faith among us. Let our praise stimulate courageous acts of trust. Let our worship unleash us for bold acts of ministry that convince others of the truth of your word. 

Our life is from You and to You. Use us to advance your healing, reconciling work in the world You created and love.

Prayer for May 29-June 4, 2016 

Sermon Text: Luke 7:1-10

That we will recognize and obey the authority of Jesus

O God, give us bold, deep trust that begins in humility. Enable us to recognize the authority that Jesus has for every dimension of our lives and turn to him, in trust, for the fulfillment of every need. Help us, at the same time, to act in obedience to every word of instruction and command that we receive from him.

Forgive us when we act as though we are a law unto ourselves, completely autonomous in all of our decision-making. Forgive us when we think we are self-sufficient and in need of no one. Shatter these delusions!

Show us the depth of our need for Christ’s presence and for our sisters and brothers of faith who minister to us with the gifts of your Spirit.  

We are unworthy of your many gifts, but You have chosen us as your people, your children. You have promised your presence, guidance, wisdom, and blessing. We take you at your word! Amen.