Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Prayers for the
Seventh Week of Pentecost

We read the watchword for the week together: Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance. Psalm 89:15

Unto you, O God, we lift our praise.

Your ways are marvelous, and we seek to walk in your path.

This day gives us the chance to honor you,

To share with others your never ending love.

Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18


1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
4 "I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.' "
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;

16 they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.


Let us confess our Sins:

We, in our human frailty, have a hard time understanding your steadfast love O God. We confess that too often our love comes with strings attached, and is based on what can be gained from sharing it. We, in our human frailty, have a hard time understanding how you can honor your covenants forever. We confess that too often we break the promises we have made to you, and to those that we love. Gracious God, forgive our lack of understanding, forgive our shortsightedness, and forgive our unfaithfulness. Guide us to walk in your ways, to sing your praise, and to share your love freely.
(Pause for silent reflection on the confession of sin. Ponder the words that seem to catch you as you pray today. When you are ready you may continue with the prayer.)

We give thanks that God’s love for each of us is not based on our faithfulness but rather on God’s steadfast love. Know that your sins are forgiven, go therefore and walk in the light of the Lord, and give praise:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.


Read today's Daily Text here

(If you are sharing this prayer in a group, this is a time to continue in intercessory prayer. If you are praying this in solitude, lift up to God those things that are on your heart or take time to contemplate the Daily Text readings for today by pondering what part of your life the texts are speaking to. You might want to journal some of the thoughts that come to you during this time. When you are ready you can proceed with the prayers that follows.)

O Lord, hear us now as we brothers and sisters in Christ pray together.

Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy, and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world that surrounds us. May the bread that we need for today be made available for us and all who are hungry; and may you forgive us, just as we are able to forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world; take from us the self-centeredness of our society. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find who we truly are as we walk in your light. Amen.

Romans 6:12-14, 17-18, 23b (TEV)

12Sin must no longer rule in your mortal bodies, so that you obey the desires of your natural self.
13 Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.
14 Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.
17 But thanks be to God! For though at one time you were slaves to sin,
you have obeyed with all your heart the truths found in the teaching you received.
18 You were set free from sin and became the slaves of righteousness.
23 God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.

Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us, O God, and ways in which we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those that we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.
You may freely use these prayers publicly as you feel led, I only ask that you acknowledge me as the author, let me know that you are using them, and that you use them as they are. I don't want to take either the credit or the blame for any adaptation that you might make. I do hope that you find the prayers helpful to your fellowship with God. Thanks!

3 comments:

Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson said...

Chris--
Thank you for posting these prayers that I know you pen every day for the people in your workplace. It's gracious of you to share them with the rest of us.

Your Sister in Christ and in blogging,

Chris Johnson

Unknown said...

Hi Chris,

I am really thankful for this initiative. My very limited and somewhat diminishing memory tells me that the great moments of revival in our church has always been predicated on prayer. In this always possible means of communication with God there is no limit as to what is possible. Please keep it going.

Another Johnson here...Michael from John Hus in New York

Unknown said...

Hi Chris,

I am really thankful for this initiative. My very limited and somewhat diminishing memory tells me that the great moments of revival in our church has always been predicated on prayer. In this always possible means of communication with God there is no limit as to what is possible. Please keep it going.

Another Johnson here...Michael from John Hus in New York