A moment of contemplation for yourself or on behalf of others on everything from the life-altering to the mundane.


Prayer: A conversation with The Higher Other who lives within each of us. An invitation to vent, to re-think, to ask, and to rest.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Prayers of the People: With Last Week's Yeast, 8th Sunday after Pentecost

for August 3, 2014, 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Gen 32: 22-31; Ps 17: 1-7, 16; Romans 9:1-5; Mt 14:13-21


Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and all the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled...               ~ Matthew 14:19b-20a

            In last week's Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus used several parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven to the disciples. In one he likened the Kingdom to "...yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." [Mt 13:33] Is it too much to presume that the bread broken and blessed by Jesus and served by the disciples was made by one or more women? The Gospel this week tells us that "those who ate were about 5,000 men, besides women and children."  [Mt: 14:21, emphasis added]
           On July 29, 2014, the Episcopal Church in the USA remembered and celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of the first 11 courageous and barrier-shattering women. Besides all the men who have gone before and come after, let us also remember and celebrate the overlooked women in this Gospel, in the Church, in everyday life, who are the bread-makers, the child-bearers, the mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, aunts, grandmothers, and, priests to us all. Let us use the yeast we are given to leaven the world, especially the children, and raise everyone to new heights of health, education, prosperity, and, love. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Abundance, when we wrestle with all the issues, ideas, and dilemmas of everyday life, You feed our souls through the words and actions of Jesus. If only we will listen, learn, and let our actions reflect Your message.

                               Jesus, Bread of Life
RESPONSE:   Help us to incline our ears to You and heed Your words

~ O God of Abundance, on this Earth with ample prosperity to feed, heal, and care for its people, why are so many without so much? Help us find ways to reach the conscience of the political and corporate leaders of the world, of our country, and our community, so they fix their eyes on justice, and turn from the menace of war to the humanity of peace. Let us work most particularly for the health and safety of all of the world’s children. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Jesus, Bread of Life
                        Help us to incline our ears to You and heed Your words

~ O God of Abundance, sustain the hope for all among us who suffer from chronic illness, injury, and anxiety, and bolster the energy of their care providers. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Jesus, Bread of Life
                        Help us to incline our ears to You and heed Your words

~ O God of Abundance, soften the pain of those who, in sorrow, commend their loved ones to Your eternal care. We are soothed by knowing that You receive with joy and open arms those we have newly sent ahead. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Jesus, Bread of Life
                        Help us to incline our ears to You and heed Your words

~ O God of Abundance, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                        Jesus, Bread of Life
                        Help us to incline our ears to You and heed Your words

~ O God of Abundance, we ask Your special blessings upon those who are chosen to feed our souls through Your Word and Sacraments. Let them experience Your loving embrace and support as they lead us ever closer to knowing You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        Jesus, Bread of Life
                        Help us to incline our ears to You and heed Your words

The Celebrant adds: Lord of Compassion and Sustenance, we come together in this community seeking our spiritual fill from the broken pieces of the Eucharist. As we receive this sacred Gift, grant us wisdom, courage, and fortitude to carry You with us into our lives and the lives of all we meet. We ask for these blessings through Jesus, Bread of Life; the Holy Spirit, Breath of Souls; who together with You, Creator of Life and Souls, are the One God, forever and eternally.  Amen.




Please feel free to request a prayer or meditation to be composed for a particular person, 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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