for Sunday, June 22, 2014, Readings: Gen 21:8-21; Ps 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1-11, Mt 10:24-39
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father...So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. [Mt 10:29,31]
In an age where obedience is an alien and archaic concept, we are yet called three times in these readings to be obedient without ever seeing the word itself. Abraham is the icon of radical obedience, following and doing on complete trust and faith in God.
Paul lets us know that we must die to sin to live in Christ which requires an obedience to the promises of our Baptism. Jesus tells us that we will be held greater than the beloved sparrows when we acknowledge (and obey) him above all others. To obey or not? There are significant consequences either way. But, we still have our free will. Our choice to follow Christ in all things must be voluntary.
All we have to do is choose - intentionally, deliberately, mindfully. So, what is there to be afraid of?
All we have to do is choose - intentionally, deliberately, mindfully. So, what is there to be afraid of?
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ God of Mercy, God of Favor, You have called each of
us out of a life in sin to the newness of life in Christ. Help us to attain the
pure faith of Your servant Abraham and trust that You will always hear our
voices, even from the wilderness we make for ourselves.
O Lord, in Your great
compassion
Response: Hear
our prayer
~ God of Mercy, God of Favor,
strengthen our resolve to frequently remind the political leaders in our state,
in our country, and in the world, of the imperative for the fulfillment of
justice, mercy, and basic human needs. No one in Your Creation is beneath
another in importance. We pray especially for:
add your own petitions
O Lord, in Your great compassion
Hear our prayer
~ God of Mercy, God of Favor,
send healing comfort to those who are wearied of illness in body, mind, or
spirit, and soothe the hearts of those who attend to their needs. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord, in Your great
compassion
Hear our prayer
~ God of Mercy, God of Favor,
we commend to Your loving care those we have loved who have left this mortal life,
and we ask Your shelter for all who grieve. We pray especially for:
O Lord, in Your great
compassion
Hear our prayer
~ God of Mercy, God of Favor,
lay Your hands again upon those who have been called by You to accompany us on
our life-long journey to You. Impart Your wisdom and grant them strength of
soul and character. We pray especially
for:
O Lord, in Your great
compassion
Hear our prayer
The Celebrant adds: Wondrous God of Heaven and Earth, help us to clearly know that Your
promise to care for us, is as constantly fulfilled and renewed as it was for Sarah’s
Isaac, Hagar’s Ishmael, and all who are the offspring of Abraham. Mold us again
in Your image that we may be Your compassion in the world. We ask this through
Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Comforter who
live and reign with You as our One God in Three Persons. Amen.
Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. If you would like the weekly Prayers of the People prior to its appearance on the blog, please send me an email. Personal prayer requestors will remain anonymous.
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