Prayer for July 28-August 3, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 11:1-13

That we will always remember that we depend upon You

Listening God, we rejoice in your invitation to prayer.  We rejoice that Christ taught his disciples to pray and we rejoice in the practice of prayer that has been cultivated in the history of Israel, and in the church, for millennia.

We rejoice that your invitation to pray is coupled with your resolve to provide good gifts that nurture and strengthen us and provide what we truly need.

Because of your invitation, we ask of You, we seek your provision, we knock upon your door as the door of our dearest and most responsive friend.

With your children throughout many generations we pray:

     Father, your name is holy. 

     Reign among us.

     Give us the food we need each day.

     Forgive our sins as we forgive all who sin against us.

     Don’t lead us into temptation. 

Open your door to us, our Dearest Friend.  Amen.   

Prayer for July 21-27, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:38-42

That we will commune with You and serve You without anxiety

O Christ Jesus, too many things distract us from attending to You and learning from You.  We become “worried and upset” about many things – including many that are good, like providing hospitality, caring for our families, and working for the well-being of our communities.

Enable us to discern between the times when You invite us to more direct communion with You, and the times when we must diligently exert ourselves for completion of the tasks to which You have called us, and for which You have equipped us.

Whether resting in communion with You, or working in obedience to You, enable us to be free from anxiety.  Enable us to focus well so that your presence and glory are always in sight, energizing love and obedience as we wait and as we work.  Amen.

Prayer for July 14-20, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 10:25-37

That we may practice costly love for our neighbors

O Christ, how eager we seem for your word until it challenges us to love our neighbor through bold, self-giving action.

We want to limit the field of neighborliness to that which we think we can manage: our relatives, our friends, people who look a lot like us, people who seem to share our values and commitments.

We often find it difficult to care when someone who is a stranger or outsider falls victim to brutal predators.  We often find it difficult to respond to the losses of those who are not close to us.

Compassionate God, make us alert to the trials and losses of those who have been assaulted and abandoned in ways that are beyond our experience and understanding.  Give us hearts that open to those who have been victimized.  Give us feet and hands that will walk and work for the healing of strangers.  Enable us to release our resources in loving and neighborly acts.  Amen.

Prayer for July 7-13, 2013 

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14

That we may direct others to your healing care

God of all, we rejoice that your sovereignty, your guidance, and your blessing operate outside the boundaries that we often assume for You.

     We rejoice that your knowledge, wisdom, and faith are available to people who seem insignificant in the course of human affairs, people with no status or power, unknown to us, yet known by You.  And we rejoice that such people are able to point to your presence and your provision and open doors to hope that are not otherwise visible.

     We rejoice that your healing power operates beyond the fearful control of political powers.  And we rejoice that You call and empower prophets who act for healing and peace with confidence that You are able to do all things.

     Finally, we rejoice that occasionally those with power, status and success, including some of us, are able to hear the promising voices of your servants and turn to You for healing.  Amen.

Prayer for June 30-July 6, 2006

Sermon Text: 2 Kings 2:1-14

That we may live as your prophetic people

O God, we want to be your servants.  We want to answer your call upon our lives even when that requires that we face adversity and loss.

Give us the tenacity that Elisha showed as he followed Elijah, knowing that he would soon be separated from his mentor and friend.

Give us the deep desire for your presence and energizing power Elisha showed when he requested a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit.

Enable us to trust in You and call upon your name, as our God, and God of our many predecessors, teachers, and mentors in faith.

We would walk with You in faithfulness, seeking your mercy and justice, practicing your truth and love in a world that quickly turns a deaf ear to your voice.  Enable us to live as your prophetic people.  Amen.

Prayer for June 23-29, 2013 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 19:1-15a

That we will experience your presence anew and be reenergized for witness

O God, when we face opposition and threat because of our faithfulness to You, You know.

When we want to flee to some distant place of perceived safety or when we simply want to sink into our despair, You know.

You know where we have been.

You know where we are.

You know where we are going.

Even in the midst of our despair, You come to us and nurture us and give us energy beyond our resources.

You rouse us from our slumber and send us in a new direction.

When chaos and clamor surround us, You speak to us in a quiet voice that exposes our lack of trust and stands us in awe of your presence.

You hear our words of fear and frustration and loneliness and direct us back into the struggle for faithfulness and justice by your revelation of your self to us.

At times, we feel no more certain, no more secure, no more courageous; but we go where You lead and your presence is enough.  Amen.

Prayer for June 16-22, 2013 

Sermon Text: 1 Kings 21:1-14

That we may faithfully speak your truth and seek your justice

God of all, we rejoice that in every generation You raise up prophets who encounter injustice by your empowering presence and your penetrating word.  By your encouraging presence, your prophets call to account and sometimes dismantle powers that coerce, confiscate, enslave and destroy. 

     We rejoice that You are able to expose truth when it has been hidden behind lies and deception.  Let truth be seen and comprehended among us!

     We rejoice that You are able to bring political powers and authorities to account when they abuse power for personal gain.  By your Spirit, and by your prophets, work within our political structures to purge corruption and firmly establish justice as the norm by which our leaders lead and by which policies and laws are enacted.

     Enable us, as your people, to be faithful in speaking your truth and seeking your justice.  Amen.