Sermon Text: Isaiah 64:1-9
That we may call upon You as faithful partners
You who know every thought, intention and deed of your people, look upon us with patience and mercy. Forgive our many sins and transform our rebellious hearts so that we may call upon You as your faithful partners and praise You with joy for your marvelous acts of deliverance and your generous provision of our needs.
Rouse our hearts to seek You daily. Deepen our desire to know You as fully as we can in the light of your self disclosure in Christ Jesus.
Do not forsake us when we fail You, but restore us by your unmatched mercy. Help us to hope in You even when we have no strong sense of your presence. Empower us to serve You with diligent obedience. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Prayer for November 20-26, 2011
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:31-46
That we will pursue justice with courage
Judge of nations, extend your reign of peace and justice by your righteous judgment. In your mercy, raise up many people of faith who will see the face of Jesus in the faces of those who are desperate and needy, and who will use the resources You have given in order to do justice for them, strengthening and nurturing them, and restoring them to full participation in the life of their communities.
Give us eyes to see the face of Jesus in the faces of the poor, powerless and marginalized people around us. Give us hearts that feel the hunger and hurt of those in need. Give us courage to trust You enough to do justice. Do whatever transformation is necessary to make us fruitful servants of your just desire.
We do not want to be among those who are surprised by your judgment that we neglected Christ in his need. We do not want to be excluded from your presence, but want to live fully in your presence, now and for eternity. Enable us by your energizing and encouraging Spirit to do the justice to which You call us. Amen.
That we will pursue justice with courage
Judge of nations, extend your reign of peace and justice by your righteous judgment. In your mercy, raise up many people of faith who will see the face of Jesus in the faces of those who are desperate and needy, and who will use the resources You have given in order to do justice for them, strengthening and nurturing them, and restoring them to full participation in the life of their communities.
Give us eyes to see the face of Jesus in the faces of the poor, powerless and marginalized people around us. Give us hearts that feel the hunger and hurt of those in need. Give us courage to trust You enough to do justice. Do whatever transformation is necessary to make us fruitful servants of your just desire.
We do not want to be among those who are surprised by your judgment that we neglected Christ in his need. We do not want to be excluded from your presence, but want to live fully in your presence, now and for eternity. Enable us by your energizing and encouraging Spirit to do the justice to which You call us. Amen.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Prayer for November 13-19, 2011
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:14-30
That our stewardship will make your reign visible to others
Generous and Sovereign God, we rejoice that You have entrusted us with resources of great variety and abundance. You have given to us with wisdom and foresight that reflects your own creativity, even as You recognize and value our individuality within the community of faith You have created.
Enable us to be faithful and wise stewards of the resources You provide. Give us energy and creativity as we invest your resources in ways that provide an ample return in transformed lives, obedience, good works, justice and peace. May your reign be made visible by our faithfulness and may your name be exalted among us.
Forgive us when we are hesitant to use your resources in bold and creative ways because we fear your judgment or fear opposition from the world that rejected your Anointed One. Obliterate our fears by your deep love.
Help us to be wise stewards so that we might share your joy in your radiant presence. Amen.
That our stewardship will make your reign visible to others
Generous and Sovereign God, we rejoice that You have entrusted us with resources of great variety and abundance. You have given to us with wisdom and foresight that reflects your own creativity, even as You recognize and value our individuality within the community of faith You have created.
Enable us to be faithful and wise stewards of the resources You provide. Give us energy and creativity as we invest your resources in ways that provide an ample return in transformed lives, obedience, good works, justice and peace. May your reign be made visible by our faithfulness and may your name be exalted among us.
Forgive us when we are hesitant to use your resources in bold and creative ways because we fear your judgment or fear opposition from the world that rejected your Anointed One. Obliterate our fears by your deep love.
Help us to be wise stewards so that we might share your joy in your radiant presence. Amen.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Prayer for November 6-12, 2011
Sermon Text: Matthew 25:1-13
That we will be open and alert for You
You who came and lived among us as servant of all, we rejoice in You. We rejoice in your promise that You will return and bring your realm of peace to completion. We joyfully anticipate seeing You face to face and living forever in your presence.
Give us more complete knowledge of You through the daily intimacies of scripture reading, prayer, communion with your people, and glad obedience to your commands. Enable us to be open and alert for your presence at every moment. Keep us from being diverted from living in and for your presence by the quick pleasures the world would offer us as adequate satisfactions for the deep longing of our hearts. And keep us energized by your Spirit so that we do not miss your presence because of our own laziness or presumption.
Christ Jesus, we long for the joy of your eternal presence. Keep working within us to prepare us fully for your return. Amen.
That we will be open and alert for You
You who came and lived among us as servant of all, we rejoice in You. We rejoice in your promise that You will return and bring your realm of peace to completion. We joyfully anticipate seeing You face to face and living forever in your presence.
Give us more complete knowledge of You through the daily intimacies of scripture reading, prayer, communion with your people, and glad obedience to your commands. Enable us to be open and alert for your presence at every moment. Keep us from being diverted from living in and for your presence by the quick pleasures the world would offer us as adequate satisfactions for the deep longing of our hearts. And keep us energized by your Spirit so that we do not miss your presence because of our own laziness or presumption.
Christ Jesus, we long for the joy of your eternal presence. Keep working within us to prepare us fully for your return. Amen.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Prayer for October 30 - November 5, 2011
Sermon Text: Joshua 3:7-17
That we will trust You when the way before us seems impossible
You who go before us and surround us with your protection and care, we rejoice in the many wonders of your Presence and salvation.
You raise up courageous leaders and speak through them to command your people to go places and face risks that we would never choose without your guidance and your word of assurance. By your faithfulness, You enable us to trust You in the midst of the most challenging circumstances.
When we look to You and trust in You, the impossible becomes possible. The most dangerous pathways become places of quiet passage.
O, let us never forget your many acts of kindness and deliverance, or your undiminished compassion for us. We praise You with hearts full of joy! Amen.
That we will trust You when the way before us seems impossible
You who go before us and surround us with your protection and care, we rejoice in the many wonders of your Presence and salvation.
You raise up courageous leaders and speak through them to command your people to go places and face risks that we would never choose without your guidance and your word of assurance. By your faithfulness, You enable us to trust You in the midst of the most challenging circumstances.
When we look to You and trust in You, the impossible becomes possible. The most dangerous pathways become places of quiet passage.
O, let us never forget your many acts of kindness and deliverance, or your undiminished compassion for us. We praise You with hearts full of joy! Amen.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Prayer for October 23-29, 2011
Sermon Text: Exodus 34:1-12
That you will give us good leaders and wisdom to follow them
God our Redeemer and Provider, make your presence known to us and to those who lead us. Give the leaders of your church a clear vision of the grandeur of our inheritance in Christ, so they may communicate it clearly to us and inspire us to hope in You. Give insight and understanding for every challenge that encounters us, so they may exhort us to remain alert and fearless as we journey with You. Give your Spirit in full measure for leadership that is fully devoted to You, yet bold to admonish and intercede for your people when we act rebelliously. Give your power so that lives may be healed and liberated for service to You.
We rejoice that in every age You have raised up leaders through whom You have whispered and roared your Word, breathed your Spirit of comfort and renewal, toppled structures of injustice and erected healing ones, and showed your power to bring order from chaos and life from death.
Raise up faithful leaders among us now. Give them humble courage to lead. Give us a spirit that is willing to follow. Amen.
That you will give us good leaders and wisdom to follow them
God our Redeemer and Provider, make your presence known to us and to those who lead us. Give the leaders of your church a clear vision of the grandeur of our inheritance in Christ, so they may communicate it clearly to us and inspire us to hope in You. Give insight and understanding for every challenge that encounters us, so they may exhort us to remain alert and fearless as we journey with You. Give your Spirit in full measure for leadership that is fully devoted to You, yet bold to admonish and intercede for your people when we act rebelliously. Give your power so that lives may be healed and liberated for service to You.
We rejoice that in every age You have raised up leaders through whom You have whispered and roared your Word, breathed your Spirit of comfort and renewal, toppled structures of injustice and erected healing ones, and showed your power to bring order from chaos and life from death.
Raise up faithful leaders among us now. Give them humble courage to lead. Give us a spirit that is willing to follow. Amen.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Prayer for October 16-22, 2011
Sermon Text: Exodus 33:12-13
That we will seek your goodness for all your people
Although in our foolishness we have tried more than once, O God, we know that we can reach no meaningful destination without your presence and your guidance. Without You, we have no clear sense of our destination. Without You, we have no sure sense of security. Without You, we are uncertain of our own identity. Without You we have no testimony that speaks to the world of mercy and compassion.
O God, we are done with trying to accomplish things by our own ingenuity and energy. Forgive us for our arrogance. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for our many infidelities.
Reshape our minds. Reframe our hopes. Let us desire only You and your blessing for your people. Enable us to offer up even our own well-being so others may receive your mercy and compassion and fullness.
Let us see You and know You as fully as we can so we may exult in You together. Amen.
That we will seek your goodness for all your people
Although in our foolishness we have tried more than once, O God, we know that we can reach no meaningful destination without your presence and your guidance. Without You, we have no clear sense of our destination. Without You, we have no sure sense of security. Without You, we are uncertain of our own identity. Without You we have no testimony that speaks to the world of mercy and compassion.
O God, we are done with trying to accomplish things by our own ingenuity and energy. Forgive us for our arrogance. Forgive us for forgetting You. Forgive us for our many infidelities.
Reshape our minds. Reframe our hopes. Let us desire only You and your blessing for your people. Enable us to offer up even our own well-being so others may receive your mercy and compassion and fullness.
Let us see You and know You as fully as we can so we may exult in You together. Amen.
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