EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 18: Third Tuesday
Mark 10:17-31 (especially verses 23-27)
Jesus, many of us have been trained to believe that a few easy steps guarantees us a place in heaven, but you instruct that participation in your reign is hard, especially for the rich. Since many of us are rich, we are scared by and resist such instruction.
We easily forget that You gave this instruction as You were taking a roundabout journey to the cross. We easily forget that You and your disciples were living with minimal creature comforts as You moved from place to place, ministering to those in need, and declaring the arrival of God's reign. And we forget that You called on them to trust only You.
Even they, who gave up so much to follow You, were shocked by your instruction. Like them, we tend to equate wealth and blessing, and fail to see that many times wealth becomes a great diversion from full-hearted trust in You.
Forgive us for frequently trusting in our wealth instead of in You. Enable us to relinquish all that obstructs our trust. Enable us to walk the way of service and sacrifice to which You call all of your disciples. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Monday, March 16, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 17: Third Monday
Mark 10:17-31 (especially 17-22)
Many of us are rich, Jesus. Many of us are among the top one percent in income* and the top ten percent in wealth,** in the world, but we deny our wealth, deny that we are rich, by comparing ourselves with our closest neighbors or with those who have such abundant wealth that we seem like paupers by comparison.
Because we have been blinded by our social setting, and other factors, to our wealth, we do not recognize the ways in which we are deceived*** and controlled by what we possess. We do not perceive the ways that our wealth creates drag and even outright resistance to your call upon our lives. We do not perceive how our wealth often contributes to injustice and causes others to suffer.
And we aren't much inclined to give up too much of it in order to follow You, Jesus.
Enable us to see ourselves in the larger context of the world that You created and love. Enable us to break free of some of the thorns of wealth that choke our vitality and diminish our ability to follow You in freedom. Enable us to do whatever You call us to do in order to follow You with unencumbered hearts and minds. Amen.
* $32,500, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/050615/are-you-top-one-percent-world.asp
** $93,170 U.S. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/07/how-much-money-you-need-to-be-in-the-richest-10-percent-worldwide.html
*** Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19
Day 17: Third Monday
Mark 10:17-31 (especially 17-22)
Many of us are rich, Jesus. Many of us are among the top one percent in income* and the top ten percent in wealth,** in the world, but we deny our wealth, deny that we are rich, by comparing ourselves with our closest neighbors or with those who have such abundant wealth that we seem like paupers by comparison.
Because we have been blinded by our social setting, and other factors, to our wealth, we do not recognize the ways in which we are deceived*** and controlled by what we possess. We do not perceive the ways that our wealth creates drag and even outright resistance to your call upon our lives. We do not perceive how our wealth often contributes to injustice and causes others to suffer.
And we aren't much inclined to give up too much of it in order to follow You, Jesus.
Enable us to see ourselves in the larger context of the world that You created and love. Enable us to break free of some of the thorns of wealth that choke our vitality and diminish our ability to follow You in freedom. Enable us to do whatever You call us to do in order to follow You with unencumbered hearts and minds. Amen.
* $32,500, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/050615/are-you-top-one-percent-world.asp
** $93,170 U.S. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/07/how-much-money-you-need-to-be-in-the-richest-10-percent-worldwide.html
*** Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Prayer for March 15-21, 2020
Sermon Text: John 4:1-42
That we may be transformed more completely for worship in the Spirit and in truth
Jesus, Messiah, we rejoice that even as opposition to You began to grow, so that You traveled in a direction You may not have chosen, and encountered people You may not have met, life-giving ministry flowed from You as naturally as the water You requested to quench your thirst.
Jesus, we rejoice that many of your diversions became opportunities for ministry. We rejoice in your open heart. We rejoice in your willingness to break social barriers. We thank You that You speak truth that challenges us, and causes us pain, but draws us to You so we may draw from the life-giving resources that You carry in your own being.
Jesus, transform our lives more completely, so that we may, indeed, worship You in the Spirit and in truth. May our ongoing encounters with You energize us to tell others about You, so that they may seek You for themselves, and find that You are the true Source of life. Amen.
Sermon Text: John 4:1-42
That we may be transformed more completely for worship in the Spirit and in truth
Jesus, Messiah, we rejoice that even as opposition to You began to grow, so that You traveled in a direction You may not have chosen, and encountered people You may not have met, life-giving ministry flowed from You as naturally as the water You requested to quench your thirst.
Jesus, we rejoice that many of your diversions became opportunities for ministry. We rejoice in your open heart. We rejoice in your willingness to break social barriers. We thank You that You speak truth that challenges us, and causes us pain, but draws us to You so we may draw from the life-giving resources that You carry in your own being.
Jesus, transform our lives more completely, so that we may, indeed, worship You in the Spirit and in truth. May our ongoing encounters with You energize us to tell others about You, so that they may seek You for themselves, and find that You are the true Source of life. Amen.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 16: Third Saturday
Mark 10:13-16
Jesus, Welcoming One, we are forever trying to limit who has access to You because, most of the time we want You for ourselves. We want the benefits we anticipate that those close to You will receive. Most of the time we think others are unworthy of You, forgetting that not many of us were wise, influential, or of noble background* when we were called to follow You.
It's not surprising that You are angered by our efforts to keep "the little children" and others of low status, and high need, from coming to You. You didn't call us as henchmen and women, but to be workers who extend the net of your love broadly in the world.+ How easily we forget. How easily we develop patterns of control.
Set aside your anger and forgive us. Soften our hearts and open our arms for welcoming others in love. Undo our delusions that we are in control and hold the keys to divine acceptance. Let us show that God's reign can be extended by gentleness practiced with joy. Amen.
* 1 Corinthians 1:26
+ Mark 1:17
Day 16: Third Saturday
Mark 10:13-16
Jesus, Welcoming One, we are forever trying to limit who has access to You because, most of the time we want You for ourselves. We want the benefits we anticipate that those close to You will receive. Most of the time we think others are unworthy of You, forgetting that not many of us were wise, influential, or of noble background* when we were called to follow You.
It's not surprising that You are angered by our efforts to keep "the little children" and others of low status, and high need, from coming to You. You didn't call us as henchmen and women, but to be workers who extend the net of your love broadly in the world.+ How easily we forget. How easily we develop patterns of control.
Set aside your anger and forgive us. Soften our hearts and open our arms for welcoming others in love. Undo our delusions that we are in control and hold the keys to divine acceptance. Let us show that God's reign can be extended by gentleness practiced with joy. Amen.
* 1 Corinthians 1:26
+ Mark 1:17
Thursday, March 12, 2020
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 15: Third Friday
Mark 10:1-12
Jesus, Companion and Teacher, sometimes your words seem to be full of grace and, at other times, full of challenge. We welcome your words when they are full of promise, when they calm us and generate bright hopes. But we chafe when You speak words that address our tendency to ease the challenges of fidelity, both to you, and to those with whom we are deeply connected.
Some of us are looking for ways to escape our relationships. We tend to treat them as disposable, and we would like You to authorize their termination. But You invite us to perceive that our treatment of relationships as disposable commodities is sin that causes injury to those whom we want to set aside. We know that some relationships fail, no matter what effort is put into them, but keep us from looking for easy ways out.
Forgive us for our failures of love and fidelity. Transform us more completely into your likeness.
May we practice tenacious love for you, our spouses, and all whom You have brought into our lives. Amen.
Day 15: Third Friday
Mark 10:1-12
Jesus, Companion and Teacher, sometimes your words seem to be full of grace and, at other times, full of challenge. We welcome your words when they are full of promise, when they calm us and generate bright hopes. But we chafe when You speak words that address our tendency to ease the challenges of fidelity, both to you, and to those with whom we are deeply connected.
Some of us are looking for ways to escape our relationships. We tend to treat them as disposable, and we would like You to authorize their termination. But You invite us to perceive that our treatment of relationships as disposable commodities is sin that causes injury to those whom we want to set aside. We know that some relationships fail, no matter what effort is put into them, but keep us from looking for easy ways out.
Forgive us for our failures of love and fidelity. Transform us more completely into your likeness.
May we practice tenacious love for you, our spouses, and all whom You have brought into our lives. Amen.
EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 14: Third Thursday
Mark 9:42-50
Wise Teacher, we are sometimes casual about our treatment of sin, but You instruct us otherwise. You warn us against misleading those who are babes in faith. You call us to take radical measures in order to root sin from our lives. You warn us against losing the saltiness by which we are able to penetrate, preserve and add the savor of generous, joyful fidelity to the world in which we dwell.
Help us not to live in cowering fear of judgment, but recognize that by your judgment You will put everything right, including us. Enable us to see ourselves clearly. Keep us from becoming lackadaisical about sin. Align the core of our being with God's will.
May your Spirit guide us to new depths of fidelity as we open ourselves to guidance. We trust in you. Often that trust is weak, but we count on your mercy and grace to strengthen us for bold faith on our continuing journey with You. Amen.
Day 14: Third Thursday
Mark 9:42-50
Wise Teacher, we are sometimes casual about our treatment of sin, but You instruct us otherwise. You warn us against misleading those who are babes in faith. You call us to take radical measures in order to root sin from our lives. You warn us against losing the saltiness by which we are able to penetrate, preserve and add the savor of generous, joyful fidelity to the world in which we dwell.
Help us not to live in cowering fear of judgment, but recognize that by your judgment You will put everything right, including us. Enable us to see ourselves clearly. Keep us from becoming lackadaisical about sin. Align the core of our being with God's will.
May your Spirit guide us to new depths of fidelity as we open ourselves to guidance. We trust in you. Often that trust is weak, but we count on your mercy and grace to strengthen us for bold faith on our continuing journey with You. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)