Easter Sunday
O God,
Because…
…hopelessness has become hope,
…despair has become trust,
…voicelessness has become praise,
…impossibility has become probability,
…ending has become beginning,
…confusion has become wonder,
…sob has become gasp,
…grief has become anticipation, and
…death has become life,
we worship you!
Amen.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
A Prayer for Saturday, March 30, 2013
Holy Saturday/40th Day in Lent
From heaven’s glory to a human story;
from the angels’ portrayal to a disciple’s betrayal;
from Bethlehem’s manger to Jerusalem’s danger;
from being acclaimed to being defamed;
from water to wine to blood from his side;
from helping and healing to crying and bleeding;
from Mary’s womb to a garden tomb.
It is finished.
Jesus is dead.
And we wait …
Amen.
From heaven’s glory to a human story;
from the angels’ portrayal to a disciple’s betrayal;
from Bethlehem’s manger to Jerusalem’s danger;
from being acclaimed to being defamed;
from water to wine to blood from his side;
from helping and healing to crying and bleeding;
from Mary’s womb to a garden tomb.
It is finished.
Jesus is dead.
And we wait …
Amen.
Friday, March 29, 2013
A Prayer for Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Friday/Thirty-Ninth Day of Lent
O God,
While it may seem at first glance that hate nailed Jesus to the cross, it is actually the case that love put him there. His love—God’s love—compelled him to give his life up.
As we think about the meaning of his death, about the meaning of our lives, and about the meaning of taking up our cross and following him, help us to remember that love will also put us where we need to be—and that our place may well be a painful and costly one.
Amen.
O God,
While it may seem at first glance that hate nailed Jesus to the cross, it is actually the case that love put him there. His love—God’s love—compelled him to give his life up.
As we think about the meaning of his death, about the meaning of our lives, and about the meaning of taking up our cross and following him, help us to remember that love will also put us where we need to be—and that our place may well be a painful and costly one.
Amen.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
A Prayer for Thursday, March 28, 2013
Maundy Thursday/Thirty-Eighth Day of Lent
O Lord,
On this day we can’t help but think about denial and betrayal; we must ask you to give us grace and strength to be faithful to you so that we won’t let you down. We must also ask you to forgive us for those times that we have by our words—or by our silence—and by our actions—or by our inaction—betrayed or denied you.
We also can’t help but think about the “new commandment” that you gave to us on the night that you were betrayed, the commandment to love each other as you have loved us. Help us to love you with everything we are and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Help us to love you by loving other people. Show us ways that we can lay down our lives for one another.
Help us to live out our faithfulness to you through our faithfulness to each other.
Amen.
O Lord,
On this day we can’t help but think about denial and betrayal; we must ask you to give us grace and strength to be faithful to you so that we won’t let you down. We must also ask you to forgive us for those times that we have by our words—or by our silence—and by our actions—or by our inaction—betrayed or denied you.
We also can’t help but think about the “new commandment” that you gave to us on the night that you were betrayed, the commandment to love each other as you have loved us. Help us to love you with everything we are and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Help us to love you by loving other people. Show us ways that we can lay down our lives for one another.
Help us to live out our faithfulness to you through our faithfulness to each other.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A Prayer for Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday in Holy Week/Thirty-Seventh Day of Lent
O God,
Confront us with the reality of what happened to and through Jesus during his last days on earth. Help us to see it all with eyes, spirits, and lives wide open; do not let us shy away from any of it. Cause us to experience the awfulness and the wonder of it all.
It means everything; help us to be caught up in more of everything that it means.
Amen.
O God,
Confront us with the reality of what happened to and through Jesus during his last days on earth. Help us to see it all with eyes, spirits, and lives wide open; do not let us shy away from any of it. Cause us to experience the awfulness and the wonder of it all.
It means everything; help us to be caught up in more of everything that it means.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A Prayer for Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday in Holy Week/Thirty-Sixth Day of Lent
O God,
Jesus’ disciples did not know what was coming, despite Jesus’ efforts to tell them.
We think we do know what is coming because we know how the week developed for Jesus. But do we—can we—know what is coming for us? Do we—can we—know how the week will develop for us?
Open us up during this Holy Week to whatever we need to hear, to feel, to discover, and to do.
Lead us to know more of who Jesus is and of who we are—and of who we are to be.
Amen.
O God,
Jesus’ disciples did not know what was coming, despite Jesus’ efforts to tell them.
We think we do know what is coming because we know how the week developed for Jesus. But do we—can we—know what is coming for us? Do we—can we—know how the week will develop for us?
Open us up during this Holy Week to whatever we need to hear, to feel, to discover, and to do.
Lead us to know more of who Jesus is and of who we are—and of who we are to be.
Amen.
Monday, March 25, 2013
A Prayer for Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday in Holy Week/Thirty-Fifth Day of Lent
O God,
Is this the day that inevitability sets in? Is this the day that we begin to accept that the cross is indeed coming and that we must confront it and accept it even though we do not want to do so?
Is this the one Monday that we will look toward Friday not for the longed-for relief it will bring but for the love and hate-inspired horror?
Is this the day that we will set our eyes and minds on the cross not just so we can remember what Jesus did but also what we are to do?
Is this the Monday that will be different from all the other Mondays?
Amen.
O God,
Is this the day that inevitability sets in? Is this the day that we begin to accept that the cross is indeed coming and that we must confront it and accept it even though we do not want to do so?
Is this the one Monday that we will look toward Friday not for the longed-for relief it will bring but for the love and hate-inspired horror?
Is this the day that we will set our eyes and minds on the cross not just so we can remember what Jesus did but also what we are to do?
Is this the Monday that will be different from all the other Mondays?
Amen.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
A Prayer for Sunday, March 24, 2013
Palm Sunday
O God,
As Jesus’ disciples welcomed him to Jerusalem, so do we welcome him into our sanctuaries and into our lives today.
Unlike those disciples, we know how the week progresses and how it turns out for Jesus.
But like those disciples, we do not know how this week will progress and turn out for us.
Prepare our hearts, O God. Make us as ready as we can be.
Amen.
O God,
As Jesus’ disciples welcomed him to Jerusalem, so do we welcome him into our sanctuaries and into our lives today.
Unlike those disciples, we know how the week progresses and how it turns out for Jesus.
But like those disciples, we do not know how this week will progress and turn out for us.
Prepare our hearts, O God. Make us as ready as we can be.
Amen.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
A Prayer for Saturday, March 23, 2013
Imperfections (Thirty-Fourth Day of Lent)
O God,
Some of us have trouble acknowledging our imperfections while some of us do not; some of us see imperfections where they don’t exist while some of us don’t see the ones that do.
Help us to acknowledge our imperfections but help us also not to think of ourselves as being more imperfect than we actually are.
Once we are able to be honest and realistic about our imperfections, help us to be thankful for them, for they are what drive us toward your mercy and your grace.
Make us glad for the realization that we need you.
Amen.
O God,
Some of us have trouble acknowledging our imperfections while some of us do not; some of us see imperfections where they don’t exist while some of us don’t see the ones that do.
Help us to acknowledge our imperfections but help us also not to think of ourselves as being more imperfect than we actually are.
Once we are able to be honest and realistic about our imperfections, help us to be thankful for them, for they are what drive us toward your mercy and your grace.
Make us glad for the realization that we need you.
Amen.
Friday, March 22, 2013
A Prayer for Friday, March 22, 2013
Outside In (Thirty-Third Day of Lent)
Remind us, O God, that while we are not to be formed and shaped by the world—we are to be formed and shaped by you—we neither can nor should cut ourselves off from it.
It is the world, after all, in which we live and in which we will spend a good many years, and this time, while not lengthy in the scheme of eternity, is important and meaningful; lead us to experience it fully, without fear and with great curiosity.
As we experience the world, help us to take it into ourselves in ways that are appropriate and helpful; help us to take joy and multiply it, to take pain and heal it, and to take sorrow and redeem it.
Enable us to experience it all in the light of who we are in the process of becoming in you.
Amen.
Remind us, O God, that while we are not to be formed and shaped by the world—we are to be formed and shaped by you—we neither can nor should cut ourselves off from it.
It is the world, after all, in which we live and in which we will spend a good many years, and this time, while not lengthy in the scheme of eternity, is important and meaningful; lead us to experience it fully, without fear and with great curiosity.
As we experience the world, help us to take it into ourselves in ways that are appropriate and helpful; help us to take joy and multiply it, to take pain and heal it, and to take sorrow and redeem it.
Enable us to experience it all in the light of who we are in the process of becoming in you.
Amen.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
A Prayer for Thursday, March 21, 2013
Inside Out (32nd Day of Lent)
O God,
Change us from the inside out.
We acknowledge the truth that it is possible in our own strength to change enough of what we do and to change enough of how we look to cause others to think that we are good.
But we also acknowledge the truths that such “change” is not enough and that real change—a change in our heart, in our spirit, in our motivation, and in our perspective—can be brought about only by you.
We furthermore acknowledge that the inner change brought about by you will cause our actions to change and that our changed actions will not be cosmetic but will come out of who you are forming us to be; we will, in other words, have integrity.
So God, change us from the inside out.
Amen.
O God,
Change us from the inside out.
We acknowledge the truth that it is possible in our own strength to change enough of what we do and to change enough of how we look to cause others to think that we are good.
But we also acknowledge the truths that such “change” is not enough and that real change—a change in our heart, in our spirit, in our motivation, and in our perspective—can be brought about only by you.
We furthermore acknowledge that the inner change brought about by you will cause our actions to change and that our changed actions will not be cosmetic but will come out of who you are forming us to be; we will, in other words, have integrity.
So God, change us from the inside out.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
A Prayer for Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Periphery (31st Day of Lent)
If you are at the center of our lives, O God, you are also at the periphery, since as God you must have all of our being and be in all of our experience.
Make us aware of the people and the events that also lie at the periphery of our lives and at the periphery of our vision.
It is difficult because we cannot bear to be aware of everybody and everything; only you can experience and handle that kind of awareness. But we confess that we need to be more aware of those on the edges of our experience and vision because all too often when we don’t notice them it is because we have become focused on ourselves and our little world and not on you and your expansive world.
After all, focusing on you leads us to notice and to reach out to others; we can’t love you and not love other people.
So broaden our awareness, O God; from our center where we rest in you cause us to notice and to reach out to those on the periphery.
Amen.
If you are at the center of our lives, O God, you are also at the periphery, since as God you must have all of our being and be in all of our experience.
Make us aware of the people and the events that also lie at the periphery of our lives and at the periphery of our vision.
It is difficult because we cannot bear to be aware of everybody and everything; only you can experience and handle that kind of awareness. But we confess that we need to be more aware of those on the edges of our experience and vision because all too often when we don’t notice them it is because we have become focused on ourselves and our little world and not on you and your expansive world.
After all, focusing on you leads us to notice and to reach out to others; we can’t love you and not love other people.
So broaden our awareness, O God; from our center where we rest in you cause us to notice and to reach out to those on the periphery.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A Prayer for Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Center (Thirtieth Day of Lent)
Be my center, my heart, my core, O God.
Be the still small voice that constantly reminds me of who you are and of who I am.
Be the reality out of which all my other realities are experienced and interpreted.
Be the peace where I reside even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.
Be the life that overcomes death.
Be my center, my heart, my core, O God.
Amen.
Be my center, my heart, my core, O God.
Be the still small voice that constantly reminds me of who you are and of who I am.
Be the reality out of which all my other realities are experienced and interpreted.
Be the peace where I reside even in the midst of chaos and turmoil.
Be the life that overcomes death.
Be my center, my heart, my core, O God.
Amen.
Monday, March 18, 2013
A Prayer for Monday, March 18, 2013
Move Up (Twenty-Ninth Day of Lent)
O God,
We acknowledge and affirm that heaven is our destination and that becoming Christ-like is our goal; we also acknowledge and affirm that we are not there yet and that we do not yet live as the completely mature children of God that we will one day and forever be.
Help us to keep our focus on heaven so that we will be constantly moving up toward the place where we will be everything we are meant to be and so that we will always be becoming a more helpful presence here and now.
Help us to keep our eyes on Christ so that we will be constantly moving up toward who we can be in him and so that we will always be becoming a more hopeful presence in the lives of those around us.
Amen.
O God,
We acknowledge and affirm that heaven is our destination and that becoming Christ-like is our goal; we also acknowledge and affirm that we are not there yet and that we do not yet live as the completely mature children of God that we will one day and forever be.
Help us to keep our focus on heaven so that we will be constantly moving up toward the place where we will be everything we are meant to be and so that we will always be becoming a more helpful presence here and now.
Help us to keep our eyes on Christ so that we will be constantly moving up toward who we can be in him and so that we will always be becoming a more hopeful presence in the lives of those around us.
Amen.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A Prayer for Sunday, March 17, 2013
Fifth Sunday in Lent
As we worship you today, O God, may we do so
with a deep awareness of who we are before you,
with broken and contrite hearts,
with wonder over the great love and grace embodied in Jesus Christ our Lord,
and
with joyful celebration of your forgiveness.
Amen.
As we worship you today, O God, may we do so
with a deep awareness of who we are before you,
with broken and contrite hearts,
with wonder over the great love and grace embodied in Jesus Christ our Lord,
and
with joyful celebration of your forgiveness.
Amen.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
A Prayer for Saturday, March 16, 2013
Move With (Twenty-Eighth Day of Lent)
O God,
Forgive our tendency to try to go it alone; forgive us when we forget that you made us to live in community and that we are members of your family and of Christ’s body.
Help us, as we all move along the path of discipleship and through the challenges of life, to move with each other; help us to inspire each other, to forgive each other, to assist each other, and to know each other. Help us to love one another.
Lead us, as we move with each other, to pick each other up and to help each other along.
Let us never kick each other when we’re down or abandon each other when we get lost.
Amen.
O God,
Forgive our tendency to try to go it alone; forgive us when we forget that you made us to live in community and that we are members of your family and of Christ’s body.
Help us, as we all move along the path of discipleship and through the challenges of life, to move with each other; help us to inspire each other, to forgive each other, to assist each other, and to know each other. Help us to love one another.
Lead us, as we move with each other, to pick each other up and to help each other along.
Let us never kick each other when we’re down or abandon each other when we get lost.
Amen.
Friday, March 15, 2013
A Prayer for Friday, March 15, 2013
Move Down (Twenty-Seventh Day of Lent)
O God,
It has been said that pride is the root of all sin; help us to practice the discipline of prayerful reflection with the goal of identifying the pride within us so that we can submit to the cleansing power of your grace and forgiveness.
We know that you love and value us; we know that we are special to you.
But we also know that to be who we are meant to be we need to live our lives in reverence for you and in service to others.
Even as you give us grace to know that we are special to you, also give us grace to move down in our self-ranking of who is most important so that we will see ourselves in proper relation to you and to other people.
Amen.
O God,
It has been said that pride is the root of all sin; help us to practice the discipline of prayerful reflection with the goal of identifying the pride within us so that we can submit to the cleansing power of your grace and forgiveness.
We know that you love and value us; we know that we are special to you.
But we also know that to be who we are meant to be we need to live our lives in reverence for you and in service to others.
Even as you give us grace to know that we are special to you, also give us grace to move down in our self-ranking of who is most important so that we will see ourselves in proper relation to you and to other people.
Amen.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
A Prayer for Thursday, March 14, 2013
Move Back (Twenty-Sixth Day of Lent)
O God,
Sometimes we find ourselves, either through our own choices or through circumstances seemingly beyond our control, facing a situation that tempts us to be less than we are.
When that happens, give us the wisdom to move back a safe distance from the situation if that is what it takes to preserve our integrity and our witness.
Keep us aware that there is no shame in the occasional tactical retreat.
Amen.
O God,
Sometimes we find ourselves, either through our own choices or through circumstances seemingly beyond our control, facing a situation that tempts us to be less than we are.
When that happens, give us the wisdom to move back a safe distance from the situation if that is what it takes to preserve our integrity and our witness.
Keep us aware that there is no shame in the occasional tactical retreat.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A Prayer for Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Move Out (Twenty-Fifth Day of Lent)
O God,
Thank you for the ways in which you by your grace and Spirit strengthen, enlarge, and develop our spirit; thank you for the good your work in us does for us.
But keep us constantly aware that it is not just for us.
Grant that your ever-increasing love, grace, and mercy in us will lead and even compel us to move out into our community and into the lives of those around us that we might help as we can and show your love as we can.
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for the ways in which you by your grace and Spirit strengthen, enlarge, and develop our spirit; thank you for the good your work in us does for us.
But keep us constantly aware that it is not just for us.
Grant that your ever-increasing love, grace, and mercy in us will lead and even compel us to move out into our community and into the lives of those around us that we might help as we can and show your love as we can.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A Prayer for Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Move On (Twenty-Fourth Day of Lent)
O God,
As we reflect on our lives we are led to acknowledge and to confess our sins; keep us alert to the temptation to live in the past and even to wallow in regret over our wrongdoings.
Help us rather to live in the truth that if we confess our sins you by your great grace forgive our sins.
Empower us to move on in the power of your forgiveness, having learned from our mistakes and ready to follow you in great freedom and in great faith.
Amen.
O God,
As we reflect on our lives we are led to acknowledge and to confess our sins; keep us alert to the temptation to live in the past and even to wallow in regret over our wrongdoings.
Help us rather to live in the truth that if we confess our sins you by your great grace forgive our sins.
Empower us to move on in the power of your forgiveness, having learned from our mistakes and ready to follow you in great freedom and in great faith.
Amen.
Monday, March 11, 2013
A Prayer for Monday, March 11, 2013
“Move Toward” (Twenty-Third Day of Lent)
O God,
Thank you for ways in which we have moved away from patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting that were symptoms of being less than we are meant to be and for ways in which we have moved toward patterns that indicate that we are growing into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Give us grace- and Spirit-fueled discipline to continue moving toward the goal of living consistently in ways that reflect the purity of heart and singleness of devotion that characterized Jesus.
Amen.
O God,
Thank you for ways in which we have moved away from patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting that were symptoms of being less than we are meant to be and for ways in which we have moved toward patterns that indicate that we are growing into the image of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Give us grace- and Spirit-fueled discipline to continue moving toward the goal of living consistently in ways that reflect the purity of heart and singleness of devotion that characterized Jesus.
Amen.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A Prayer for Sunday, March 10, 2013
Fourth Sunday in Lent
May our worship of you today, O God, be a great celebration of your grace, mercy, and love as we experience them in your incredible willingness to forgive us.
Amen.
May our worship of you today, O God, be a great celebration of your grace, mercy, and love as we experience them in your incredible willingness to forgive us.
Amen.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
A Prayer for Saturday, March 9, 2013
Move In (Twenty-Second Day of Lent)
O God,
Please open our hearts up so that your grace, your love, and your Spirit can move in a little more every day.
Please help us to open our hearts up voluntarily; help us to want so much for you to move in that we will do whatever we have to do to open up the door.
And if our hearts must be broken for you to have an opening through which you can move in, then—Lord, have mercy—so be it.
Amen.
O God,
Please open our hearts up so that your grace, your love, and your Spirit can move in a little more every day.
Please help us to open our hearts up voluntarily; help us to want so much for you to move in that we will do whatever we have to do to open up the door.
And if our hearts must be broken for you to have an opening through which you can move in, then—Lord, have mercy—so be it.
Amen.
Friday, March 8, 2013
A Prayer for Friday, March 8, 2013
Move Over (Twenty-First Day of Lent)
O God,
As we examine ourselves, we might be surprised and even shocked to find out what we have allowed to come to reside at the core of our being.
Perhaps we have let such things as fear, anger, hate, prejudice, envy, lust, self-righteousness, and/or pride take up residence right at the center of who we are.
If it is asking too much to have them taken completely away all at once, at least begin in us the process of moving them over toward the edges of our heart …
Amen.
O God,
As we examine ourselves, we might be surprised and even shocked to find out what we have allowed to come to reside at the core of our being.
Perhaps we have let such things as fear, anger, hate, prejudice, envy, lust, self-righteousness, and/or pride take up residence right at the center of who we are.
If it is asking too much to have them taken completely away all at once, at least begin in us the process of moving them over toward the edges of our heart …
Amen.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
A Prayer for Thursday, March 7, 2013
Half-Way (Twentieth Day of Lent)
O God,
Here at the half-way point of Lent, help us to evaluate our progress and our lack of progress.
How open have we been in our self-evaluation?
How honest have we been in our confession?
How accepting have we been of your forgiveness?
Remind us today that our sins are to be acknowledged, not celebrated; remind us that your forgiveness is to be celebrated, not merely acknowledged.
Amen.
O God,
Here at the half-way point of Lent, help us to evaluate our progress and our lack of progress.
How open have we been in our self-evaluation?
How honest have we been in our confession?
How accepting have we been of your forgiveness?
Remind us today that our sins are to be acknowledged, not celebrated; remind us that your forgiveness is to be celebrated, not merely acknowledged.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A Prayer for Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Turn In (Nineteenth Day of Lent)
We say we are going to “turn in” when we are ready to go to bed, when we ready to lie down and rest.
So in our spirit, O God, help us constantly to turn in; help us always to rest in you, knowing that you are with us to love us and protect us, no matter what is going on around us or what is happening to us.
Amen.
We say we are going to “turn in” when we are ready to go to bed, when we ready to lie down and rest.
So in our spirit, O God, help us constantly to turn in; help us always to rest in you, knowing that you are with us to love us and protect us, no matter what is going on around us or what is happening to us.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A Prayer for Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Turn Down (Eighteenth Day of Lent)
O God,
Remind us that not every opportunity is a good one; give us discernment to know which ones to accept and which ones to turn down.
If it will cause us to harm other people, lead us to turn it down.
If it will threaten to hinder our witness, lead us to turn it down.
If it will empower us to tear down rather than to build up, lead us to turn it down.
If it will endanger the health of our family, lead us to turn it down.
If it will pose danger to our spirit, lead us to turn it down.
If it will nurture greed rather than generosity, lead us to turn it down.
If it will emphasize security over sacrifice, lead us to turn it down.
If it will feed selfishness rather than selflessness, lead us to turn it down.
Remind us that not every opportunity is a good one; give us discernment to know which ones to accept and which ones to turn down.
Amen.
O God,
Remind us that not every opportunity is a good one; give us discernment to know which ones to accept and which ones to turn down.
If it will cause us to harm other people, lead us to turn it down.
If it will threaten to hinder our witness, lead us to turn it down.
If it will empower us to tear down rather than to build up, lead us to turn it down.
If it will endanger the health of our family, lead us to turn it down.
If it will pose danger to our spirit, lead us to turn it down.
If it will nurture greed rather than generosity, lead us to turn it down.
If it will emphasize security over sacrifice, lead us to turn it down.
If it will feed selfishness rather than selflessness, lead us to turn it down.
Remind us that not every opportunity is a good one; give us discernment to know which ones to accept and which ones to turn down.
Amen.
Monday, March 4, 2013
A Prayer for Monday, March 4, 2013
Turn Over (Seventeenth Day of Lent)
O God,
What do we need to turn over to you that we are not turning over to you?
Is it a sin?
Is it a habit?
Is it a prejudice?
Is it a worry?
Is it a grudge?
Is it an opinion?
Is it an ability?
Is it a fear?
Whatever it is, give us the insight to see it, the courage to face it, and the faith to turn it over to you so that you can do with it whatever needs to be done with it.
Amen.
O God,
What do we need to turn over to you that we are not turning over to you?
Is it a sin?
Is it a habit?
Is it a prejudice?
Is it a worry?
Is it a grudge?
Is it an opinion?
Is it an ability?
Is it a fear?
Whatever it is, give us the insight to see it, the courage to face it, and the faith to turn it over to you so that you can do with it whatever needs to be done with it.
Amen.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
A Prayer for Sunday, March 3, 2013
Third Sunday in Lent
Empower us today, O God, to worship you in spirit and in truth.
We will bring our spirit before you—the spirit that has been formed by our experiences, that has been stunted by our fears, that has been lessened by our prejudices, and that has been softened by your love.
We will bring our truth before you—the “truth” that we hold onto despite all evidence to the contrary, the “truth” that we cling to because it is all we have ever known, the “truth” that we foster by listening only to those who think like we do, and the truth that you in your grace keep gently leading us toward.
We will today bring our spirit and our truth into the presence of your all-pervasive Spirit and your all-encompassing Truth. Please let your Spirit and your Truth inhabit us so as to expand, to enlarge, and to enhance our spirit and our truth.
Amen.
Empower us today, O God, to worship you in spirit and in truth.
We will bring our spirit before you—the spirit that has been formed by our experiences, that has been stunted by our fears, that has been lessened by our prejudices, and that has been softened by your love.
We will bring our truth before you—the “truth” that we hold onto despite all evidence to the contrary, the “truth” that we cling to because it is all we have ever known, the “truth” that we foster by listening only to those who think like we do, and the truth that you in your grace keep gently leading us toward.
We will today bring our spirit and our truth into the presence of your all-pervasive Spirit and your all-encompassing Truth. Please let your Spirit and your Truth inhabit us so as to expand, to enlarge, and to enhance our spirit and our truth.
Amen.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
A Prayer for Saturday, March 2, 2013
Turn Back (Sixteenth Day of Lent)
O God,
Sometimes we try to turn back in ways that are inappropriate. Forgive us, Lord, when we try to live in the past; forgive us when we try to live as if changes have not occurred that in fact have; forgive us when we try to turn back to ways of thinking and acting that we should have moved beyond by this point in our walk with you.
Sometimes we need to turn back in ways that are appropriate. Help us especially to turn back to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord so that our lives will be permeated by those realities.
Amen.
O God,
Sometimes we try to turn back in ways that are inappropriate. Forgive us, Lord, when we try to live in the past; forgive us when we try to live as if changes have not occurred that in fact have; forgive us when we try to turn back to ways of thinking and acting that we should have moved beyond by this point in our walk with you.
Sometimes we need to turn back in ways that are appropriate. Help us especially to turn back to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord so that our lives will be permeated by those realities.
Amen.
Friday, March 1, 2013
A Prayer for Friday, March 1, 2013
Turn Away (Fifteenth Day of Lent)
O God,
Are there habits—practices that are bad for me—from which I need to turn away?
Are there situations—settings that are dangerous for me—from which I need to turn away?
Are there people—individuals who would misuse and abuse me—from whom I need to turn away?
Are there attitudes—ways of feeling and thinking that are no credit to me—from which I need to turn away?
Give me grace to turn away from anything from which I need to turn away for the sake of my well-being, my relationships, and my witness.
Amen.
O God,
Are there habits—practices that are bad for me—from which I need to turn away?
Are there situations—settings that are dangerous for me—from which I need to turn away?
Are there people—individuals who would misuse and abuse me—from whom I need to turn away?
Are there attitudes—ways of feeling and thinking that are no credit to me—from which I need to turn away?
Give me grace to turn away from anything from which I need to turn away for the sake of my well-being, my relationships, and my witness.
Amen.
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