Prayer 365

A Prayer for Thursday, February 2, 2012

2012-02-02T06:30:00.001-05:00

“Coherence/Incoherence”

Today, O God, we will once again live our lives at that place where incoherence meets coherence.

That is, sometimes things will make sense and sometimes they won’t; sometimes the pieces will seem to fit together and sometimes they won’t; sometimes there will seem to be purpose to it all and sometimes there won’t— and we will have to live with and in those tensions.

Give us grace and faith that we might live in those tensions creatively and courageously, knowing that you are in them.

Amen.

A Prayer for Wednesday, February 1, 2012

2012-02-01T06:30:00.002-05:00

“At Least”

Lord,

If we can’t be right,
if we can’t be helpful,
if we can’t be good…

help us at least to be kind.

Amen.

A Prayer for Tuesday, January 31, 2012

2012-01-31T06:40:00.001-05:00

“War & Peace”

O God,

By your grace, help us to come to terms with the conflict in our spirit that leads us into conflict with other people that can ultimately result in ruptured relationships and, on the grand scale, in wars between nations.

By your grace, help us to grow in peace in our spirits, in the knowledge that while we are all conflicted within ourselves and while we are all prone to have conflict with others, your Spirit of peace is working to heal our fractured spirits and our fractured relationships and, on the grand scale, to bring about the time when nations will know war no more.

Amen.

A Prayer for Monday, January 30, 2012

2012-01-30T06:37:00.000-05:00

“Promise & Peril”

Lord,

This week, like all weeks, holds much promise and much peril.

In all of it, help us to trust you.

Help us to journey through this week

not with fear but with faith,
not with presumption but with trust,
not with starry eyes but with clear vision,
not with despair but with hope,
not with defenses up but with arms outstretched,
not with dread but with realism, and
not with frivolity but with joy.

Amen.

A Prayer for Sunday, January 29, 2012

2012-01-29T07:23:00.000-05:00

“The Lord’s Day”

On this Lord’s Day, may we worship you in Spirit and in truth, O God, so that the present reality of the resurrected Lord will be so evident to us that we will live in light of that reality in each moment of every day.

Amen.

A Prayer for Saturday, January 28, 2012

2012-01-28T11:28:00.000-05:00

“Knowledge & Wonder”

We thank you, O God, for these magnificent brains with which you have blessed us. We thank you that we can think, reason, ponder, and understand. We thank you for those who put their brains to work trying to solve the world’s problems and trying to make the world a better place in which to live. We thank you that we can put our brains to work trying to solve our life problems and trying to make our life a better one in which to live.

Help us to see our brains as the great blessing that they are and to use our brains to the greatest extent that we possibly can.

We thank you also, O God, for the awareness that some realities lie beyond the reach of our reasoning abilities. We thank you that you in your grace and love have chosen in the ways that please you to reveal yourself to us that we might know you. We praise you for whatever leaps of faith we have been able to make that have put us in a position to know you better and to experience your love and grace more fully.

We stand in awe of the ways that you empower us to understand.

We stand in awe of the ways in which you enable us to celebrate and to submit to the wonder of it all.

Stunned both by what we know and by what we don't know, we praise you.

Amen.

A Prayer for Friday, January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T07:31:00.000-05:00

“Humility”

Lord God,

Increase our humility that

we will know that you are God and we are not;
we will think of and about others more than we do of and about ourselves;
we will value being loving over being right;

and that

we will live out our humility in humble and not prideful ways.

Lord God,

Increase our humility…

Amen.

A Prayer for Thursday, January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T06:51:00.001-05:00

“Perspective”

O God,

Work on our perspective today.

It is our default setting to think of ourselves as the center of everything; after all, we see the world from inside ourselves and it seems that everything revolves around us.

Remind us that it doesn’t.

Remind us that you alone are the center of the universe.

Remind us that everyone else has the same default setting that we do; they tend to see themselves as the center of it all.

We know that we can’t see the world as you do but we also know that, through your Spirit in us, we can move a lot farther toward such seeing.

Shift our perspective a little bit today that we might become less anxious and more trusting, less selfish and more selfless, less closed and more open, and less frightened and more adventurous.

Amen.

A Prayer for Wednesday, January 25, 2012

2012-01-25T06:50:00.001-05:00

“Remember”

We acknowledge the truth, O Lord, that you are with us in every moment of our lives.

We confess the fact, O Lord, that there are many moments when we forget that truth.

Help us to remember in every moment of this day, O Lord, that you are with us in every moment of this day.

Our minds are active all the time; help us today actively and constantly to practice remembering that you are right here.

Amen.

A Prayer for Tuesday, January 24, 2012

2012-01-24T06:43:00.000-05:00

“Alone & Lonely”

O God,

This world is filled with people who are alone and lonely—even though many of them are surrounded by people; one such alone and lonely person may even be someone that we see every day.

May some of them have a breakthrough today in which they will realize that you are with them and that you can and will commune with them in a personal and consistent way.

May some of them have a breakthrough today in which they take a step toward someone—and in which someone takes a step toward them—that will lead to a real and meaningful relationship.

May we have a breakthrough today in which we become aware of someone around us who is alone and lonely and in which we become an answer to their prayer for someone to care enough to enter into their life.

Amen.

A Prayer for Monday, January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T06:45:00.003-05:00

"This Week"

Chances are good, O God, that this will be a week like most weeks--a week filled with the routine, the regular, and the expected.

Chances are also good, O God, that this will be a week unlike any other week--a week that includes the unexpected, the surprising, and the life-changing.

Help us to look for you, to experience you, and to grow in our knowledge of you through everything that comes to us in this new week.

We thank you in advance for what this week holds even as we ask for your help in embracing it and living fully in it.

Amen.

A Prayer for Sunday, January 22, 2012

2012-01-22T07:16:00.001-05:00

“The Lord’s Day”

May we receive the great gift of this Lord’s Day in hearts and lives that want only to worship you today, our great God.

Amen.

A Prayer for Saturday, January 21, 2012

2012-01-21T19:32:00.000-05:00

“Volatility”

We live in volatile times, O God—things are volatile socially, economically, religiously, and politically.

In these volatile times we pray for three gifts, God.

First, we pray for the gift of peace. Please give us wholeness and soundness that we will not be threatened or otherwise negatively affected by the volatility all around us.

Second, we pray for the gift of passion. Please give us a genuine enthusiasm that grows out of a genuine faith that will lead us to counter the fire of our culture’s volatility with the backfire of genuine care and concern.

Third, we pray for the gift of steadiness. Please give us the desire and ability to move forward slowly but surely—step by step, day by day, moment by moment—in grace and love that we will experience and demonstrate your stability to those who are tottering.

Amen.

A Prayer for Friday, January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T06:59:00.001-05:00

“Response”

Today, O God, may we respond

to your commitment with our commitment,
to your faithfulness with our faithfulness,

and

to your love with our love.

Amen.

A Prayer for Thursday, January 19, 2012

2012-01-19T06:50:00.001-05:00

“Your Presence”

Dear God,

Whether we thought about it or not, you were with us through the night and you will be with us in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and when night comes around again.

Today, cause us to think about your presence.

Today, cause us to celebrate your presence.

Today, cause us to depend on your presence.

Today, cause us to appreciate your presence.

Today, cause us to be influenced by your presence.

Today, cause us to be enlivened by your presence.

Thank you, God, for being with us whether or not we are aware of your presence; cause us today to be aware of it.

Amen.

A Prayer for Wednesday, January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

“I Am With You”

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you always have been, always are, and always will be with us.

Amen.

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)

A Prayer for Tuesday, January 17, 2012

2012-01-17T05:30:00.000-05:00

“Go Therefore”

Give us grace, love, faith, and hope enough, O Lord, that we will live every moment of our lives sharing with others what we have received from you.

Inspire us not to keep these great gifts to ourselves, O Lord, but gladly and willingly to give them away, which gladness and willingness constitute perhaps the greatest evidence that we have received those gifts from you.

They will, after all, know we are Christians by our love.

Amen.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.’” (Matthew 28:18-20a)

A Prayer for Monday, January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T07:12:00.001-05:00

“They Worshiped Him, but Some Doubted”

O Lord, may our experience of you be as real to us as was that of those who were privileged to see you in your resurrected state.

O Lord, may our response to our experience of you be to worship you—to serve you by loving you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

O Lord, may our doubts that come to us even in the midst of our experience of you and of our worship of you serve in the long run to strengthen the real faith that we need in living these real lives in this real world.

Amen.

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:16-17)

A Prayer for Sunday, January 15, 2012

2012-01-15T07:25:00.001-05:00

“This Story is Still Told”

So fill us with the presence of the resurrected Jesus, so fill us with real life, O God, that our lives will continue the true story of his resurrection.

Protect us from the kind of dead and deadening lives, O God, that would make it hard for anyone to believe that we serve a risen Savior.

Amen.

“While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.” (Matthew 28:11-15)

A Prayer for Saturday, January 14, 2012

2012-01-14T10:41:00.000-05:00

“He Is Not Here…There They Will See Me”

On the one hand, we need to focus on the crucified Jesus; he did, after all, give his life for us and he did, after all, teach us by his words and by his life that those who lose their lives will find them.

On the other hand, we need to focus on the resurrected Jesus; he is, after all, not in his grave and he is, after all, alive in and among us where we can and do experience him.

Cause us constantly to remember, O God, that Jesus died and that Jesus lives.

Fill us with the appropriate reverence that we will worship him and with the appropriate joy that we will serve him.

Amen.

“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’” (Matthew 28:5-10)

A Prayer for Friday, January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T06:51:00.000-05:00

“Like Dead Men”

Grant, O God, that we will apprehend and experience your gracious acts of intervention in our world in ways that will make us alive as you intend us to be and not dead as we tend to be.

Thank you for the real life that can be ours through the resurrection of your Son Jesus; help us not to miss it because we are not looking for it or because when we see it we are afraid of it.

Too many people are among the walking and breathing dead, O God; make us so alive with the life of the resurrected Jesus that they can catch it from us.

Amen.

“After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.” (Matthew 28:1-4)

A Prayer for Thursday, January 12, 2012

2012-01-12T06:54:00.001-05:00

“Make It as Secure as You Can”

They used a stone to try to block off the power of the resurrection.

They failed, of course.

Protect us, O God, from the futility of trying to shut ourselves off from the power of the resurrection and from the true life that can be ours in the resurrected Lord.

Protect us from the attempt to secure ourselves from the risk inherent in the resurrected Jesus; lead us instead to secure ourselves in the risk inherent in the resurrected Jesus.

Lead us into the wonderfully dangerous life that is ours through the presence in us of the life of the resurrected Lord.

Amen.

“The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise again.” Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, “He has been raised from the dead,” and the last deception would be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.” (Matthew 27:62-66)

A Prayer for Wednesday, January 11, 2012

2012-01-11T07:01:00.000-05:00

“Went Away…Were There”

Joseph of Arimathea and the two Marys did the best they could do for Jesus after he died; Joseph used his status and his wealth to have Jesus entombed while the two Marys used their compassion and their time to show their respect for Jesus.

Joseph went away from the tomb while the two Marys stayed there; but they all did their best.

Help us to do our best in the face of the reality of the crucifixion of Jesus, O God. As it is appropriate, lead us to go on about our business and about your business; as it is appropriate, lead us to sit, to reflect, and to wait.

Whatever we do, O God, let it be done out of devotion to Jesus; whatever we do, O God, let us live in light of the twin facts that Jesus gave up his life and that Jesus calls us to give up our lives.

Amen.

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:57-61)

A Prayer for Tuesday, January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T06:45:00.000-05:00

“Many Women Were Also There”

Give us the kind of grace and faith that the women at the Cross had, O God—the kind of grace and faith that endures to the end and that follows Jesus wherever he goes, no matter the risk or the cost.

Amen.

“Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.” (Matthew 27:55-56)

A Prayer for Monday, January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T06:52:00.000-05:00

“Truly This Man Was God’s Son”

Keep us attuned, O God, to the ongoing results of and the ongoing effect of the death on the Cross of your Son Jesus.

Keep us aware, O God, of how things have changed and are changing, both in your vast creation and in the lives of people, because of the death of Jesus.

Keep us amazed, O God, at what the Crucifixion shows us about who Jesus was and who Jesus is.

Amen.

“Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” (Matthew 27:50-54)

A Prayer for Sunday, January 8, 2012

2012-01-08T07:25:00.001-05:00

"My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"

It was a heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, and spirit-wrenching prayer that Jesus voiced in the throes of death as he hung on the cross.

It was a prayer that reflected what he was experiencing.

Sometimes, O God, we in our pain cry out in a similar way; may it be an honest prayer when we pray it and not one fueled by our sometimes tendency toward drama and hyperbole.

Sometimes, O God, our pain is so real and our sense of your absence is so real that all we can do is to cry out to you.

Remind us, O God, even as we cry out to you, that joy comes in the morning and that resurrection follows crucifixion.

Amen.

“From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’” (Matthew 27:45-49)

A Prayer for Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012-01-07T13:29:00.004-05:00

"Come Down from the Cross"

"If you are the Son of God," they said to Jesus, "come down from the cross."

Never let us forget, O God, that he did not come down from the cross precisely because he was the Son of God.

Never let us forget, O God, that we are not to give up our cross precisely because we are the children of God, too.

Continuously teach us how it is in being faithful in bearing the cross that we are faithful in following Jesus; continuously teach us how it is giving up our lives that we find them.

Amen.

"Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.' In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 'He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, "I am God’s Son."' The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way." (Matthew 27:38-44)

A Prayer for Friday, January 6, 2012

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

"This Is Jesus"

Grant, O God, that when we think about who Jesus is, we will always think of him hanging on the Cross, giving his all.

Grant, O God, that when we think about what it is to be a follower of Jesus, we will always think of him hanging on the Cross, giving his all.

Amen.

"And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, 'This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.'" (Matthew 27:33-37)

A Prayer for Thursday, January 5, 2012

2012-01-05T06:45:00.001-05:00

“To Carry His Cross”

Compel us, O God, to carry the cross of Jesus Christ as we live in this day.

Compel us, O God, to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Compel us, O God, to live lives so filled with the grace and love of Jesus that we gladly give ourselves away day by day and moment by moment for the sake of that grace and love.

Amen.

“As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.” (Matthew 27:32)

A Prayer for Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

“They…Mocked Him”

The soldiers mocked Jesus by hailing him as “King of the Jews” while treating him as if he was anything but a King; indeed, they treated him as if he was subject to whatever insults and abuses they wished to inflict on him.

Give us courage, O God, to face up to whatever ways, be they obvious or subtle, that we mock Jesus by calling him our King while at the same time behaving in ways or by giving in to motivations that dishonor him.

Give us the grace to think thoughts and to carry out actions that reflect our service to and our following of Jesus Christ our King; give us the grace to mean what we say when we call him “King,” to live lives that match our words, to say words that match our lives, and to have spirits that lead us, when it comes to Jesus, to true words and true actions.

Amen.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27:27-31)

A Prayer for Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

“His Blood Be On Us”

What the people meant when they said “His blood be on us and on our children” was that they were willing to accept the responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus; what Pilate meant when he said “I am innocent of this man’s blood” was that he was not willing to accept responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus.

It is likely that the people didn’t realize the gravity of what they were saying; it is possible that they were caught up in a mob mentality; it is possible that the many in the middle were swayed by the passions of the extremists.

It is likely that Pilate did realize the absurdity of what he was saying; it is possible that he was caught up in political survival mode; it is possible that he was afraid of the situation in which he found himself.

We would never say such a thing as “His blood be on us and on our children” but, dear God, we bear the responsibility nonetheless; after all, it is for our healing that he suffered.

We would never say such a thing as “I am innocent of this man’s blood” although sometimes we try to ignore or to evade our responsibility but, dear God, we bear the responsibility nonetheless; after all, it is for our sins that he died.

There is another sense in which his blood can be on us, O God—your Book teaches us that our sins can be covered by his blood.

“His blood be on us”—cause us to accept our responsibility, O God.

“His blood be on us”—enable us to know your forgiveness, O God.

Amen.

“So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’
So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified." (Matthew 27:24-26)

A Prayer for Monday, January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T11:05:00.000-05:00

“Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man”

While we acknowledge the concern that prompted the message of Pilate’s wife, we must challenge the value of her advice, O Lord, for having nothing to do with that innocent man Jesus was not an option for her husband and it is not an option for us.

While Pilate’s options were to release Jesus or to have him crucified, our options are to (1) try to live a life that ignores him—which won’t work because he’s always there, (2) try to live a life motivated by our self-interest—which won’t work because down that way lies emptiness and frustration, or (3) try to live a life based on following him—which will work but which is at the same time the easiest and the hardest way of all.

Today—again—we choose.

Give us sufficient wisdom, courage, and faith to choose well—and then to live well, knowing that everything has to do with that Innocent Man.

Amen.

”Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.’ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’” (Matthew 27:15-23)

A Prayer for Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012-01-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

“He Gave Him No Answer”

Teach us, O God, that sometimes, no matter what we say, it will make no difference; remind us, O God, that sometimes the minds of people are so made up or so closed or so open that even our truest words will not matter and that the greatest truth will be expressed through silence.

Teach us, O God, of the wisdom of silence; show us, O God, when it is best not to say a thing, even to defend ourselves.

Amen.

“Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” (Matthew 27:11-14)

A Prayer for Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011-12-31T10:52:00.002-05:00

“Blood Money”

We would never betray you, so we tell ourselves, O Lord—and we certainly would not betray you for money.

And yet—

You once said that insofar as we tended to or neglected the needs of those who are hungry, sick, naked, or in prison we tended to or neglected you; it is not a stretch, therefore, to say that insofar as we are faithful to them we are faithful to you and insofar as we betray them we betray you

and you also said that

where our treasure is, there our heart would be, too.

And so—

Give us the willingness to face up to how we are betraying you by betraying others—in particular others who are desperately hurting—through the ways we use our money or the ways we save our money or the ways we invest our money; give us the insight, the compassion, and the courage to investigate how people--even and maybe especially people on the other side of the world and definitely at the other end of the economic ladder--are negatively impacted by the ways that we more affluent Christians spend, save, and invest our money.

Do we hold blood money in our pockets or in our products?

Forgive us, O Lord, for our betrayals of you.

Help us, O Lord, to spend the rest of our lives working at making it right.

Amen.

“When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to it yourself.’ Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.’ After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’” (Matthew 27:3-10)

A Prayer for Friday, December 30, 2011

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

“They…Handed Him Over”

This morning—or this afternoon—or this evening—here you are again and here we are again and here it all is again and so we decide yet again what to do with you, O Lord.

We cannot hand you over or pass you along or wash our hands of you—we must deal with you.

Cause us to see your presence as the miracle of grace that it is; cause us to see you as the gift of love that you are.

Yes, your presence can cause us pain—the kind of pain that comes from seeing ourselves in your bright and revealing light.

But it is worth it, O Lord—it is worth it.

Still, we would hand you over to others so that they can know you and your simultaneously affirming and challenging love, but as we hand you over we keep one hand on you.

Amen.

“When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.”(Matthew 27:1-2)

A Prayer for Thursday, December 29, 2011

2011-12-29T07:41:00.002-05:00

“Wept Bitterly”

How long, O Lord, will we do what we do not want to do? How long, O Lord, will we not do what we want to do? How long, O Lord, will we weep bitterly over our failures that are motivated by our misguided drive for self-preservation? How long, O Lord, will we fail to align ourselves with you in a lifestyle of grace-filled obedience and self-emptying sacrifice?

Sometimes our hearts break over the kind of heart that our actions show we still have; sometimes we are shocked at how far we still have to go.

Help us, O Lord, to face up to where we are and to trust your grace to lead us to where we need to be.

Amen.

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75)

A Prayer for Wednesday, December 28, 2011

2011-12-28T07:22:00.001-05:00

“He Deserves Death”

We praise you, O Lord, that you accepted the suffering and death that you did not deserve because you are the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Son of Man and because you are the One who came to be God With Us, to be the Kingdom of God among us, and to be the Suffering Servant.

We thank you that you showed us that the way to glory is the way of service, sacrifice, and love.

We ask for the grace to live as your followers in ways that bear witness to the Messiah that you are and not to the one that we might want you to be.

Amen.

“Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.’
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?’” (Matthew 26:63b-68)

A Prayer for Tuesday, December 27, 2011

2011-12-27T07:29:00.001-05:00

“Looking for False Testimony”

Work on our hearts, O Lord, that we will look for the truth about you so that we can believe rather than to look for the false about you so that we can not believe.

Protect us from listening to those who hear and repeat your words only in terms of wooden literalism and free us instead to listen to those who have ears to hear, spirits to receive, and mouths to speak the truth of your words.

Help us, O Lord—for you have spoken and we must choose whether and how we will hear.

Amen.

“Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.” ’ The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But Jesus was silent.” (Matthew 26:59-63a)

A Prayer for Monday, December 26, 2011

2011-12-26T11:28:00.000-05:00

“To See How This Would End”

Sometimes, O Lord, we follow you and follow you and follow you…only to decide at some crucial point to sit down and watch to see how it will all turn out.

Give us the desire and the courage to follow and to endure until the end…and beyond.

Amen.

“Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.” (Matthew 26:57-58)

A Prayer for Sunday, December 25, 2011

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

“Put Your Sword Back”

We thank you, O God, that you sent your Son Jesus into this war-torn and conflict-riddled world to be the Prince of Peace.

We thank you that the angel who announced his birth to the shepherds spoke of “peace, good will toward men” (KJV).

We thank you that he, until the very end, responded to fear with faith, to anger with grace, to hate with love, and to conflict with peace.

We thank you that he, although he had a more powerful sword available to him than we could even begin to imagine, kept it sheathed.

Help us, O God, as followers of the Prince of Peace, to keep our pitiful swords put away, too, and instead to use his arsenal of faith, grace, love, and peace.

Amen.

“Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?’ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:51-56)

A Prayer for Saturday, December 24, 2011

2011-12-24T09:01:00.000-05:00

“The One I Will Kiss”

We thank you, O God, that we have the opportunity to have an intimately personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord; on this Christmas Eve we praise you for the Word made flesh and for the Holy Spirit that make that relationship possible.

Help us to develop that relationship in appropriate ways; help us to be obedient, to be faithful, and to be open.

Protect us from trying to use that relationship in inappropriate ways; guard us against attempted manipulation, against sought advantage, and against selfish motives.

Remind us, O God, that a kiss is not just a kiss but that a kiss can reveal any number of motivations and desires. May our expressions of affection to you be legitimate, honest, and appropriate.

Amen.

“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.’ At once he came up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.” (Matthew 26:47-50)

A Prayer for Friday, December 23, 2011

2011-12-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

“Let Us Be Going”

Let us be going, O Lord.

Let us be going, O Lord, to face what we must face as your followers.

Let us be going, O Lord, to drink the cup that we must drink as your followers.

Let us be going, O Lord, to face the opposition we must face as your followers.

Let us be going, O Lord, to live in your difficult and wonderful will as your followers.

Let us be going, O Lord, to grow into the kind of following that we should practice as your followers.

Let us be going, O Lord.

Amen.

“Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’” (Matthew 26:42-46)

A Prayer for Thursday, December 22, 2011

2011-12-22T07:07:00.001-05:00

“The Spirit Indeed is Willing”

We acknowledge, O Lord, that in this life our spirits cannot be separated from our bodies; we cannot experience things spiritual unless we experience them in and through our bodies.

We also acknowledge, though, that sometimes what your Spirit leads us to do we don’t do even if we want to do it and sometimes what your Spirit leads us not to do we do even if we don’t want to do it.

We must acknowledge also, however, that sometimes even our spirit is not willing.

Give us through your Spirit, O Lord, the mind of Christ so that in the totality of our being we want to do your will and in fact try to do your will.

Amen.

“Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” (Matthew 26:40-41)

A Prayer for Wednesday, December 21, 2011

2011-12-21T07:28:00.000-05:00

“What You Want”

We praise you, O God, for the full humanity of Jesus your Son that we see both in his plea to be allowed to avoid his suffering if he might and in his commitment to embrace his suffering if he must.

Cause his life to be so present in ours that we exhibit the same kind of full humanity; may we be honest about our fears concerning the sacrificial life to which you call us even while we are firm in our dedication to live it out no matter what the cost.

“Not what we want but what you want”—this is our prayer, God help us.

Amen.

“And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’” (Matthew 26:39)

A Prayer for Tuesday, December 20, 2011

2011-12-20T07:21:00.000-05:00

“Stay Awake with Me”

Give us insight and courage, O Lord, to understand and to live in light of the fact that we of the Church are the Body of Christ in this world.

Give us insight and courage, O Lord, to understand and to live in light of the fact that the Incarnation, the presence of Christ in this world, continues through us.

Give us insight and courage, O Lord, to understand and to live in light of the fact that we are to be deeply grieved, even to death, over the plight of the people around us.

Give us insight and courage, O Lord, to understand and to live in light of the fact that we are to give ourselves up in obedience to God and for the sake of the people around us.

Give us insight and courage, O Lord, to understand and to live in light of the fact that to stay awake with you in these days is to be your sacrificial presence in these days.

Amen.

“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’” (Matthew 26:36-38)

A Prayer for Monday, December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T06:55:00.000-05:00

“I Will Go Ahead of You”

We praise you, O Lord, that even though you know we will fail, you nonetheless plan to meet us on the other side of our failure.

We praise you, O Lord, that even when we do in fact fail, you nonetheless in fact meet us on the other side of our failure.

Still—help us to grow in our commitment and willingness to give up our lives so that we will in our lives and by our lives become less and less likely to fail you and more and more likely to bear bold and honest witness to our relationship with you through our risk-taking and self-denying actions.

Amen.

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ Peter said to him, ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And so said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:31-35)

A Prayer for Sunday, December 18, 2011

2011-12-18T06:30:00.001-05:00

“When I Drink It New”

Thank you, Lord, that when we eat the bread and drink the cup of the Eucharist we are both remembering what you have done and anticipating what you will do.

Thank you, Lord, that in eating the bread and drinking the cup of the Eucharist we both participate in the fellowship we have with you and our other brothers and sisters here and now and anticipate the fellowship we will have with you and our other brothers and sisters there and then.

Amen.

“While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:26-30)

A Prayer for Saturday, December 17, 2011

2011-12-17T10:13:00.001-05:00

“Surely Not I…”

Lord Jesus,

It’s an admittedly fine but nonetheless important distinction: when you said that one of the Twelve would betray you, Judas asked, “Surely not I, Teacher?” while the rest asked “Surely not I, Lord?”

Judas betrayed you.

Of course, the rest denied you by words or by actions or by both.

So even if we acknowledge and serve you as Lord, we will still fail and fall.

Grant though, O Lord, that we will have the kind of submitted and obedient relationship with you that will lead us always to try to stay close to you and always to try to be true to you.

You are a great Teacher and we learn from you.

Be our Lord that we might live in you.

Amen.

“When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26:20-25)

A Prayer for Friday, December 16, 2011

2011-12-16T07:11:00.001-05:00

“Did As Jesus Had Directed Them”

Make us faithful in the small things, O Lord, that we might learn how to be faithful in the big things.

Remind us that we never know to what big things the small things might lead.

Amen.

“On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.” (Matthew 26:17-19)

A Prayer for Thursday, December 15, 2011

2011-12-15T06:49:00.001-05:00

“An Opportunity to Betray Him”

It is unlikely that we will look for an opportunity to betray you, Lord.

It is much more likely that our betrayals will be of the careless and thoughtless variety.

Train us in tending to our relationship with you so that we will by our thoughts, motives, words, and actions display faithfulness to you.

Amen.

“Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

A Prayer for Wednesday, November 14, 2011

2011-12-14T06:49:00.000-05:00

“In Remembrance of Her”

If we are going to be remembered at all, O Lord, let us be remembered for the ways that we gave ourselves away out of love for you and in service to you.

Given that you taught us to see you in other people, especially those who have the greatest need, if we are going to be remembered at all, let us be remembered for the ways that we gave ourselves away for the sake of and in service to other people.

Amen.

“Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’” (Matthew 26:6-13)

A Prayer for Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2011-12-13T09:37:00.000-05:00

“They Conspired”

Are we conspiratorial by nature? Or by training? Or by both? Regardless, we acknowledge and confess that we do like to plot and plan.

Lead us, O God, so that our plotting and planning will be toward a positive end and not a negative one, toward a constructive end and not a destructive one.

Lead us so that our plotting and planning will lead us to a greater acceptance of and following of Jesus and not to the neglect or rejection of Jesus’ claims on our lives.

Grant, O God, that our conspiracies will be conspiracies of love, grace, forgiveness, and kindness rather than conspiracies of hate, revenge, cruelty, and apathy.

Amen.

“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’” (Matthew 26:1-5)

A Prayer for Monday, December 12, 2011

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

“When Was It?”

Lord, give us eyes to see the hurting people who are all around us and give us hearts that care enough to try to help heal their hurts.

Guard us from the kind of calculating self-interest that connects our concern and help with our possible reward.

Help us to see you in those who are oppressed, poor, sick, incarcerated, hungry, thirsty, lonely, and outcast, but not at the cost of failing to see them for who they are.

Grant that our care, concern, and help will come to be as natural to us as our lack of care, concern, and help tends to be.

Amen.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:37-46)

A Prayer for Sunday, December 11, 2011

2011-12-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

“Inherit the Kingdom”

We praise you, O God, that the kingdom is prepared for those who feed the hungry, who give drink to the thirsty, who welcome the strangers, who clothe the naked, who take care of the sick, and who visit the prisoners.

We praise you for it even as we ponder what we spent our time, energy, and other resources doing today and what we spend our time, energy, and other resources doing every day.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, give us the right priorities.

Amen.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’” (Matthew 25:31-36)

A Prayer for Saturday, December 10, 2011

2011-12-10T11:28:00.000-05:00

“Here You Have What Is Yours”

Cause us, O God, to be willing to take risks and to be daring in our use of the gifts that you have given us rather than to hoard them and to play it safe.

Remind us, O God, that you do not want those gifts back unused and unrisked but rather want us to use them to spread the love and grace of your kingdom.

Amen.

“Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 25:24-30)

A Prayer for Friday, December 9, 2011

2011-12-09T08:54:00.000-05:00

“Well Done”

O God, help us to use well those gifts, abilities, and resources with which you bless us; help us to use them to share your grace, love, and mercy with those we encounter.

Help us also to accept with gratitude the always increasing responsibility that becomes ours as we grow in you and in your grace.

Teach us that “Well done” implies “Now do more” rather than “Now take it easy.”

Amen.

“Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 25:20-23)

A Prayer for Thursday, December 8, 2011

2011-12-08T06:53:00.000-05:00

“Settled Accounts with Them”

Remind us, O Lord, that we have the privilege and the responsibility to use and develop the gifts, abilities, and potentialities with which you have blessed us.

Remind us that we will not do so perfectly, thereby sparing us unnecessary frustration.

Remind us also, though, that we will be able to welcome you with joy if we have, with your help, done our best.

Amen.

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:14-19)

A Prayer for Wednesday, December 7, 2011

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

“Those Who Were Ready”

When you come, Lord, we want to be ready; we want to be in a position to receive you and to go with you.

Help us, then, to receive you in every moment, in every thought, in every word, in every action, and in every person; help us, then, to go with you in love, in grace, in mercy, in forgiveness, and in service.

Help us, in other words, to receive you and to go with you all the time so that when you come at the end we’ll be ready to go with you one more time.

Amen.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:1-13)

A Prayer for Tuesday, December 6, 2011

2011-12-06T06:45:00.000-05:00

“The Faithful and Wise Slave”

During these days between your first and second Advents, O Lord, help us to be faithful and wise servants who take our responsibilities seriously, who enjoy our lives fully, who treat others ethically, and who watch for you expectantly.
Amen.

“Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:45-51)

A Prayer for Monday, December 5, 2011

2011-12-05T06:39:00.000-05:00

“Keep Awake”

We affirm the twin truths, O Lord, that (1) you are coming and (2) we don’t know when or how you are coming.

Motivate us, therefore, to keep awake.

Help us to pay close attention to our lives rather than being lulled to sleep by their routineness. Help us to take advantage of the wait for your coming by doing your will and sharing your love rather than being lulled to sleep by the passage of time.

Whenever you come to us and however you come to us, O Lord, help us to be found ready and awake; help us to be found actively pursuing a life of love, grace, mercy, and service.

Amen.

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Matthew 24:36-44)

A Prayer for Sunday, December 4, 2011

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“He Is Near”

Help us to live, O Lord, in light of the fact that you are near to us—in fact, that you are present with us—all the time.

Help us to live, O Lord, in light of the fact that you are near to us—in fact, that you are right on the verge of coming back—at any time.

Amen.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:32-35)

A Prayer for Saturday, December 3, 2011

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“They Will Gather His Elect”

Inspire us, O God, to look forward to that time when we will be gathered home.

Remind us, O God, that here and now you make your home with us and so in a very real sense we are already gathered home.

Help us, O God, as your people to move toward being one people in these days even as we will be one people when the Great Day comes.

Amen.

“Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31)

A Prayer for Friday, December 2, 2011

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“Do Not Believe It”

When times get tough, O God, do not let us out of desperation grasp at straws, no matter how compelling or attractive those straws happen to look or sound.

Cause us instead to maintain a quiet, steady, vibrant trust in you, in your purposes, and in your timing.

Amen.

“So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’ —do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. (Matthew 24:15-28)

A Prayer for Thursday, December 1, 2011

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“Love…Will Grow Cold”

First, Lord, strengthen and help those followers of yours who live in places where persecution is real and danger is all around. Help them to endure and cause us to intercede for them.

Second, Lord, inspire those of us who live in places where persecution is absent and danger is for the most part imagined to be open to your love and to be disciplined in the ways that we stay open to it and practice it. Make your love for us and our love for each other so warm that nothing that comes can make it grow cold.

Amen.

“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:9-14)

A Prayer for Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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“Beware that No One Leads You Astray”

We confess, O God, that Jesus the Christ will one day come again to usher in your new age and to fulfill your purposes.

We affirm, O God, that along the way bad and even terrible things have happened, do happen, and will happen.

As we navigate the events of life while looking toward the fulfillment of all things, give us insight without haughtiness, trust without complacency, and seriousness without fear.

Give us the wisdom to follow Jesus who after all is the Messiah and to pay heed only to teachers and leaders who display appropriate humility and guardedness when it comes to their own role in your kingdom and who bear witness in their spirit to having the Spirit of Christ.

Amen.

“When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” (Matthew 24:3-8)

A Prayer for Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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“All Will Be Thrown Down”

We know that things change, O God, but knowing it and accepting it are two different things.

Help us to accept it.

Help us not to put too much trust in things that appear permanent but in fact are not.

Help us rather to put our trust in you whose faithfulness endures through all generations and whose purpose will be fulfilled for all eternity.

Amen.

“As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’” (Matthew 24:1-2)

A Prayer for Monday, November 28, 2011

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“You Were Not Willing”

Lord Jesus, how can we not be drawn to you by your indescribably great love and compassion?

And yet, we so often would rather go our own way than live in your grace.

Forgive us. Help us. Don’t give up on us.

We know that you want to gather us, to hold us, and to protect us.

Help us to let you.

Amen.

“‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’” (Matthew 23:37-39)

A Prayer for Sunday, November 27, 2011

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“If We Had Lived in the Days”

Guard us, O God, against over-confident assertions about how we would have been and what we would have done in a time and place other than ours.

Keep us focused instead on our character and on our actions in the time and place in which we do live.

Today’s trouble, after all, is sufficient for today.

Amen.

“‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous bloodshed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.” (Matthew 23:29-36)

A Prayer for Saturday, November 26, 2011

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“Whitewashed Tombs”

It’s not so hard to look good to people, Lord.

It’s not so easy to have hearts that match our sterling reputations.

Form us a little more each day into people of integrity; change us on the inside so that we will truly be who you have made us to be.

Amen.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28)

A Prayer for Friday, November 25, 2011

2011-11-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

“Clean the Inside of the Cup”

Clean us up from the inside out, O God, so that our actions will be right because they are fueled by a right heart.

Amen.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.” (Matthew 23:25-26)

A Prayer for Thursday, November 24, 2011

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“The Weightier Matters”

Forgive us, Lord, when we do good things but neglect the best things.

Forgive us, Lord, when we follow rules but neglect people.

Forgive us, Lord, when we do the best we can but fail to trust you.

Help us, Lord, to practice the weightier matters, the things that matter the most to you: justice, mercy, and faith.

Amen.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!” (Matthew 23:23-24)

A Prayer for Wednesday, November 23, 2011

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“Whoever Swears”

Cause us to remember, O God, that everything is yours and that you are the source of everything.

Cause us to remember, O God, that everything we say we are saying as a commitment to you.

Cause us to guard our words, God; cause us to be people of integrity whose “Yes” is “Yes” and whose “No” is “No” and whose word is our bond to you and to others.

Amen.

“‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.” (Matthew 23:16-22)

A Prayer for Tuesday, November 22, 2011

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“You Lock People Out of the Kingdom of Heaven”

First of all, O God, let those of us who are leaders and teachers count on nothing but your grace to bring us into your kingdom.

Second of all, O God, let those of us who are leaders and teachers live so close to Christ that we think, talk, and act in ways that his followers ought to think, talk, and act.

Third of all, O God, let those of us who are leaders and teachers lead and teach others the truth of who you are and the truth about following a grace-filled and love-filled Lord.

Fourth of all, O God, let those of us who are leaders and teachers lead and teach others in such a way that it is you and not us that they are in fact following.

Amen.

“‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:13-15)

A Prayer for Monday, November 21, 2011

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“The Greatest Among You Will Be Your Servant”

O God,

Forgive us and lead us away from shallowness that accepts evaluation by appearances, whether it is our evaluation of someone else or someone else’s evaluation of us.

Inspire us to the kind of humble service that befits followers of the One who came not to be served but to serve.

And please…protect us from that most insidious kind of pride—the kind that comes from our concluding that we really are, compared with most other folks, rather humble.

Amen.

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12)

A Prayer for Sunday, November 20, 2011

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“How Is It Then?”

Protect us, O God, from relying too much on our assumptions and our traditions in our thinking about you and in the development of our relationship with you.

Open us up to whatever the truth about you is that we can grasp and bear.

Empower us to live with whatever incompleteness and mystery we must.

Give us a vital and growing faith; deliver us from a stagnant life.

Amen.

“Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet’”?
If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:41-46)

A Prayer for Saturday, November 19, 2011

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“These Two Commandments”

O Lord, the love to which you call us and that you command us to practice is so simple and so deep, so easy and so hard, so basic and so complex.

Forgive us for when we too easily assume that we love you as we should and that we love others as we should.

Inspire us by the example of the crucified Christ and by the presence in our lives of the crucified and resurrected Christ to live out in our lives his kind of love for you and for others.

Fill us so much with the love of Christ that loving with his love is all that we want to do and all that we can do.

Amen.

“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” (Matthew 22:34-40)

A Prayer for Friday, November 18, 2011

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“God…of the Living”

Fill us so much with your life, O God, that we are fully alive now even as we will be fully alive for eternity.

Fill us so much with the life of the resurrected Lord, O God, that we will live the resurrected life now as surely as we will live it after our own resurrection.

We praise you, O God, that you are God of the living…that you are our God and that we truly live in you!

Amen.

“Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.’ And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.” (Matthew 22:29-33)

A Prayer for Thursday, November 17, 2011

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“In the Resurrection”

Teach us, O God, to ask important and meaningful questions about important and meaningful subjects.

Teach us, O God, not to ask tangential questions about matters that go to the heart of the meaning of our lives under you.

Teach us, O God, not to focus on the trivial and fleeting at the cost of focusing on the essential and eternal.

Teach us, O God, to ask important and meaningful questions about important and meaningful subjects.

Amen.

“The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said, “If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.” Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman herself died. In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.’” (Matthew 22:23-28)

A Prayer for Wednesday, November 16, 2011

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

“The Things that Are God’s”

Keep us vigilant, O God, in rendering appropriate allegiance to the various loyalties and obligations in our lives, but keep us especially vigilant in rendering utter and ultimate allegiance to you and you alone.

Amen.

“’Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.” (Matthew 22:19-22)

A Prayer for Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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“Why Are You Putting Me to the Test?”

Help us, O Lord, to grow in character so that we will ask whatever we ask you and seek whatever we seek from you out of hearts filled with sincerity and out of lives filled with integrity.

Protect us from speaking as if we have more respect for you than we do or as if we practice greater submission to you than we do.

Guard us from seeking loopholes, exceptions, or other ways out of our responsibilities.

Help us, O Lord, to grow into the kind of people who ask whatever we ask you because we really want to know and who seek whatever we seek from you because we truly want to do your will.

Amen.

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:15-18)

A Prayer for Monday, November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T06:32:00.000-05:00

“Without a Wedding Robe”

Open our eyes to any ignorance or insolence we may have that causes us to presume that we belong where we don’t or that we have a status that we don’t.

Open our lives to your grace that is finally all we need to belong.

Amen.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’ (Matthew 22:11-14)

A Prayer for Sunday, November 13, 2011

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“So the Wedding Hall Was Filled with Guests”

We praise you, O God, that when all is said and done your banquet hall will be filled.

We acknowledge, O God, that some of us may be surprised by who fills it.

We implore you, O God, not to let us be so blind to your great grace that we ignore or despise the invitation to be part of what you in your great grace are doing and a part of those whom you in your great grace are inviting.

Amen.

“Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” (Matthew 22:1-10)

A Prayer for Saturday, November 12, 2011

2011-11-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

“He Was Speaking About Them”

Help us to realize, O Lord, when and how you speak about us; keep us open to the challenging nature of your words.

When your words challenge, convict, and even condemn us, O Lord, keep us open to them.

Cause us to accept and to assimilate such words rather than to try to get around or away from them.

Amen.

“When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.” (Matthew 21:45-46)

A Prayer for Friday, November 11, 2011

2011-11-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

“This Was the Lord’s Doing”

We have read the scriptures, O Lord; we have read about who Jesus is, what Jesus did, and what Jesus reveals about what you require of those who are your people.

We confess that Jesus, who was rejected by many of those who were the most religious people of his day, is the foundation and basis of your will and way for us; we confess furthermore that the fact that you revealed your will and way—indeed, yourself—in one who was despised and rejected by those who should have known better is a most amazing thing.

We confess that we are the religious people of our day and that if we are not careful we will by our attitudes and actions reject the one who was despised and rejected.

Fill us, O God, with the knowledge that the life and way of Jesus were your doing and that, when we receive and follow him to the point that we are willing to be so different, so sacrificial, so gracious, and so loving that we might be despised and rejected, we are on our way to being who you have made and called us to be.

Amen.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes”?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’” (Matthew 21:42-44)

A Prayer for Thursday, November 10, 2011

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

“Other Tenants”

Help us, O God, to be people who receive your good gifts with much gratitude; help us especially to be people who receive your best gift—the gift of your Son—with much gratitude.

Grant that we will produce the kind of fruit in our lives for which you made us and in the production of which you are looking for us to grow, fruit such as trust, grace, love, mercy, and peace—the kind of fruit that your Son produced and that our grateful receiving of him enables us to produce.

Amen.

“‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’” (Matthew 21:33-41)

A Prayer for Wednesday, November 9, 2011

2011-11-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

“Which Did the Will of His Father”

Always remind us, O God, that the past is the past and that what is done is done.

Always remind us, O God, that it is right now and only right now that we can love you like we should, that we can obey like you like we should, and that we can follow you like we should.

Always remind us, O God, that it is never too late unless we choose for it to be.

Amen.

“‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-32)

A Prayer for Tuesday, November 8, 2011

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

“By What Authority”

Sometimes, O God, the challenging of authority is right and necessary, although we recognize that such challenges must be mounted judiciously.

Give us grace, though, not to be so arrogant as to challenge the authority of Jesus; lead us rather to submit to his authority over our lives.

In our submission, though, lead us to do the hard and daily work of trying to ascertain his way for us and then to live in that way with much commitment and with great joy.

Grant that our acceptance of Jesus’ authority will show itself in our lifestyle as well as in our words.

Amen.

“When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Matthew 21:23-27)

A Prayer for Monday, November 7, 2011

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“Whatever You Ask for in Prayer with Faith”

Teach us, O Lord, to have great faith and to pray great prayers.

We don’t need to move literal mountains but it sure would help if we could get some of the metaphorical ones out of the way—or at least learn to climb them or to go around them.

Make our faith and our prayers not only great but appropriate—appropriate to your kingdom and appropriate to our witness.

Amen.

“In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:18-22)

A Prayer for Sunday, November 6, 2011

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“He Left Them”

O God, sometimes the best thing we can do—the necessary thing we must do—is to withdraw, to rest, and to get ready.

Give us wisdom to know when such times are at hand and the discipline to make effective use of them.

Amen.

“He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.” (Matthew 21:17)

A Prayer for Saturday, November 5, 2011

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“Out of the Mouths of Infants”

We thank you, O God, for the privilege of maturity, for the gift of knowledge, and for the blessing of experience.

At the same time, O God, we ask you to keep us from losing or from disparaging the insights of simple, child-like trust in you.

Please guard us from letting our maturity, knowledge, and experience degenerate into cynicism; cause them instead to lead us to see the need for and value of simple faith.

Amen.

“But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself”?’” (Matthew 21:15-16)

A Prayer for Friday, November 4, 2011

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“He Cured Them”

The Church is the Body of Christ; the Church is the Temple of the Lord.

And so people come to us in their needs and with their hurts.

Show us, O God, how we can offer healing to them by your grace, by your love, by your Spirit, and by your power.

Amen.

“The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them.” (Matthew 21:14)

A Prayer for Thursday, November 3, 2011

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“A House of Prayer”

We confess, O Lord, that sometimes our priorities get way out of whack; we confess that sometimes we get way too caught up in the “business” of the church and give far too little attention to our relationships with you and with others.

As we conduct that business that is necessary in the church, help us to do so honestly and ethically and with a view toward bearing witness to the ways of Jesus.

Mainly, though, help us to give the vast, vast, vast majority of our attention to prayer—to the developing of our relationship with you—so that we will in all aspects of our church life be who we are supposed to be and will act as we are supposed to act.

Amen.

“Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.’” (Matthew 21:12-13)

A Prayer for Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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“In Turmoil”

Forgive us, O God, for the ways in which we stir up turmoil because of our fear, our pride, our envy, or our selfishness.

Forgive us also, O God, for the ways in which we trivialize, domesticate, and ignore the realities brought about by Jesus Christ that would, were we to give ourselves over to them, create turmoil in ways that would move us more toward you and your ways.

Forgive us our shakiness. And shake us up.

Amen.

“When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:10-11)

A Prayer for Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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“Blessed Is the One Who Comes”

Today, and all days, may our recognition of, praise of, and dedication to Jesus show itself in our attitudes and our actions as well as in our words, O God.

Amen.

“The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:6-9)

A Prayer for Monday, October 31, 2011

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“To Fulfill”

Thank you, God, that in the life, death, resurrection, and words of Jesus Christ we see and experience what we really need to know about you and about your ways.

Thank you that through Jesus you teach us of the value you place on humility, service, and sacrifice.

Grant that our lives will show that each day we are learning that lesson more and more.

Amen.

“This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, Look your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” (Matthew 21:4-5)

A Prayer for Sunday, October 30, 2011

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“The Lord Needs Them”

What do we have that you need, Lord?

Here it is—take it and use it for your glory.

Amen.

“When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” (Matthew 21:1-3)

A Prayer for Saturday, October 29, 2011

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“Moved with Compassion”

Thank you, Lord, that you are moved with compassion to touch us in our wounded places and to make us whole.

Thank you, Lord, that we, having been touched by you, have the privilege to follow you.

Help us to respond to your compassion and to your touch with our following.

Amen.

“Jesus stood still and called them, saying, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20:32-34)

A Prayer for Friday, October 28, 2011

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“Have Mercy on Us”

Lord, have mercy on us.

You know how badly in need of your mercy we all are.

Give us awareness and acceptance of those places in our lives where we need your mercy.

Give us persistence and passion to keep on asking for your mercy even over the objections of those who think and say that we should not be asking you for what we need.

Give us grace and insight always to be aware of the ways in which we have received and are receiving your mercy.

You know how badly in need of your mercy we all are.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Amen.

“As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’ The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!’” (Matthew 20:29-31)

A Prayer for Thursday, October 27, 2011

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“To Serve….To Give”

Empower us to live upside-down and backwards lives, O God—the kind of lives in which we do things in Jesus’ way rather than in our way.

Empower us to want to give for others rather than have others give for us.

Empower us to want to serve others rather than have others serve us.

Empower us to live lives that are based on the greatness of smallness, on the power of humility, on the gain of loss, and on the reward of sacrifice.

Amen.

“When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:24-28)

A Prayer for Wednesday, October 26, 2011

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“Are You Able?”

Teach us, O Lord, what it means to drink your cup; teach us that it means to share in your life which in turn means to share in your service, in your sacrifice, and in your suffering.

Guard us from arrogant thoughtlessness that would lead us to make claims of an ability to drink your cup that we do not in fact possess.

Guard us from timid reticence that would lead us to shrink from a humble willingness to at least be always moving toward an ability to drink your cup.

Guard us from selfish seeking that would lead us to draw the inspiration for our willingness to drink your cup from the hope of reward for doing so.

Give us, O Lord, minds, hearts, and spirits like yours so that we will want to drink your cup, so that we will want to share in your life which in turn means to share in your service, in your sacrifice, and in your suffering—because it is what we truly want to do.

Amen.

“But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’” (Matthew 20:22-23)