Prayer for October 10-16, 2021
Sermon Text: Mark 10:17-31

That our lives may reflect the obedience and generosity of Jesus

Jesus, we aren’t always looking for the truth when we ask what we must do to participate in God’s reign among us. We are just as likely to be looking for words that affirm our present choices. And we are likely to resist changing patterns that are deeply entrenched in our lives, particularly related to accumulating and hoarding wealth.

We want to trust God. We want to be devoted solely to the Holy One as our source of provision and security, but we have become so deeply dependent upon our wealth that we are often unable to see that it has become a false God that hinders our full commitment to God.

And when we become dependent upon and devoted to our wealth, we are often unable to see our neighbors in their need, and unwilling to share the resources we have accumulated in ways that enhance their lives.

Look at us in love! Challenge us with your truth. Forgive us for our sins of idolatry and our failure to share with our neighbors. Transform us into people whose lives reflect the obedience and generosity of Jesus. Do not let us turn from the path of faithfulness. Amen.

Prayer for October 3-9, 2021
Sermon Text: Mark 10:2-16 

That we may trust You with the simple trust of children

Jesus, we rejoice in You! We rejoice in the wisdom and skill that You showed as You encountered diverse people during your ministry. We rejoice that You were able to discern the motivations of those who wanted to shape faith and obedience in ways that were most convenient for them.

We rejoice that You do not soften your teaching for the benefit of those who have hardened their hearts against divine instruction.

You know our hearts, Jesus. You know the many ways that we resist living our faith in consistent and courageous ways. You know that we often place our own desires over the creative intention of God. Forgive us! Transform us!

Let us be led into your presence and embraced by your love in ways that energize us to respond to You with the simple trust of children. As we come to You, do not let us hinder others who seek and desire You and long for your blessing and embrace.

May others be blessed by us for God’s glory. Amen.

Prayer for September 26-October 2, 2021
Sermon Text: Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22

That we may be roused to risk ourselves so many may be spared the ravages of hatred and indifference

God, our Redeemer, most of us seem to be content to live with whatever forms of safety and security that we have been able to gather around ourselves. Some of us live with substantial resources, deep privilege, and an enduring sense of entitlement.

At the same time, many who dwell in our neighborhoods, and who inhabit the world You created and love, live with nearly constant deprivation and unrelenting threat.

Most of the time, we only see those with whom we have a strong personal connection as part of our circle of concern. We don’t see our connection to many people who are, like us, your creatures: people of earth, created in love, sought in love through Jesus Christ, and comforted and energized in love by your Spirit.

We don’t see our connection. And we do not act with compassion because we do not perceive that all of our lives are bound together, that our future is a shared future, and that peace and security will elude us if we do not act to shape a world of generosity and justice for everyone.

Enable us to hear words of warning and challenge that rouse us to risk ourselves so that all of your people, everywhere, may be spared the ravages of hatred and indifference that so often seem on the verge of overwhelming us. Amen.

Prayer for September 19-25, 2021
Sermon Text: Mark 9:30-37

That we may set aside competition for honor and welcome the vulnerable among us

Patient One, some of us act as though responding to your love is an invitation to live a life that is free of suffering. We ignore the way of suffering that Jesus walked and to which he called his followers.

We are inclined to think that something about faith has malfunctioned when we do suffer, whether by the words and actions of other people, or by the uncontrollable events of our lives.

Enable us to trust You as we follow the guidance of your Spirit and live with the bold love and fidelity of Jesus. Enable us to realize that You are present with us in the midst of both the most joyful and most difficult moments of our lives. Enable us to be “strong and courageous” as we recognize your presence.

Enable us, as we walk the way of Jesus, to set aside competition with each other. Enable us not to think about personal glory, but to serve each other in ways that enable us to share loss and grief, blessing and joy, in life enhancing ways.

As we set aside competition with each other, enable us to see the most vulnerable among us, including our children, and the children of our neighbors and enemies, as ones in whom we may welcome your divine presence. We pray in the name of the One who led us at great cost. Amen.

Prayer for September 12-18, 2021

Sermon Text: Mark 8:27-38

That we may give all that we are to You, for your glory

God of Israel and God of Jesus Christ, we rejoice that, in Jesus, You spoke to us, showed your glory, fulfilled many of the promises for which your people trusted You, and gave new life to multitudes who had not known You.

We rejoice in You!

We rejoice in your incomparable generosity!

Enable us to recognize Jesus’ unique role in your work among your people and within your creation. Enable us to respond appropriately by following Jesus in trust and giving ourselves in courageous ways, in order to witness to and extend the mission that Jesus began when You called him and endowed him with your Spirit.

Help us not to be ashamed to be followers of Jesus. Help us to speak his name with boldness. Help us to honor You as we honor him. We give all that we are to You, that You may be glorified and your reign may be evident among us. Amen.

Prayer for September 5-11, 2021
Sermon Text: John 7:24-37

That we may see your glory in the world, in Jesus, and in our diverse neighbors

God of newness, we rejoice that Jesus spoke and lived in ways that made new life possible. We rejoice that he spoke so that deaf ears and blind eyes were opened. We rejoice that he opened silenced voices for praise and witness. We rejoice that he opened fearful hearts to act with courage in the face of violent and deadly opposition.

God, open our eyes to see the ways that You are actively creating new life among us now. Open our ears so that we may hear the truth that Jesus, and the prophets who preceded him, continue to speak about obedience, courage, trust, justice and love. Open our hearts so that we may recognize strangers and enemies as people whom You love and whom we may welcome as neighbors and friends. 

Forgive us when we act as though violence and injustice, anxiety and fear are eternal realities that we must simply endure. Open us to see your glory in the world You have made, in Jesus who has called us beyond our fears, and in our diverse neighbors who bear your image in many surprising ways. Amen.

Prayer for August 29-September 4, 2021
Sermon Text: James 1:17-27

That your word will grow within us to enable wise, faithful and compassionate action

God of grace, You have lavished many gifts upon us. And those of us who are affluent, on a global scale, probably aren’t even aware of many of them. Make us more conscious of the way our lives are bathed in your grace and mercy so that we will live more fully from hearts of gratitude that are inclined to compassion and mercy toward our many neighbors.

Enable us to hear your word as You speak to us through the scriptures, through the needs of neighbors, and through those prophetic voices that warn of the damaging outcome of self-centered and acquisitive choices that put us in competition with and set us apart from our neighbors.

When we have heard your word, let it grow within us so that we are able to set aside destructive and evil attitudes and practices. Free us from the anger that often arises when our narrow self-interest is frustrated.

Enable us to act in consistently wise, faithful and compassionate ways. Amen.