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, August 18, 2014

Prayers of the People: Catch the Wave and Let Loose, 11th Sunday after Pentecost

for August 24, 2014, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Ex 1:8 – 2:10, Ps 124, Romans 12: 1-8, Mt 16:13-20 [NRSV]


         From Noah's Ark to Moses' basket to Jesus and his most famous walk, our history with God is flooded with watery stories. Water is required for life and yet, as with many things, too much is deadly.  In this week's reading the Egyptians try to drown the baby boys to keep the unwanted population from growing, but the kindness and compassion of the midwives and Pharaoh's daughter transform the lives of the Hebrews and Egyptians alike. 
          Paul says to get out of what is of the world - renew our minds and transform ourselves to discover God's will. With the gifts we've each been given by God's grace, there is something for us all to do as individuals who are members of the Body of Christ. And Jesus puts it together - in giving us the keys to the Kingdom our actions on earth will be bound in heaven and what we let loose here, will be let loose in heaven.   
         So let's catch the wave of the Living Water, and let loose some grace-filled transformation. 


LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Living God, through the waters that birth us, that Moses was drawn from, that nourish the Earth and sometimes drown it, we often struggle to navigate our lives between the raging and the calm. Let us not drift aimlessly through tide and torrent, but by Your mercy, steer toward the Light of Christ, our Messiah, the Incarnation of Your Holy Will for us.
                                Our help is in the name of the LORD
RESPONSE:     Who made the heavens and the earth

~ Living God, so many of Your sons and daughters in our earthly home are being thrown into the rivers of despair, brutality, and war. Give us the key and courage to transform the attitudes and actions of the political leaders of this world, our country, and our community, from bitter strife to vigorous compassion. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Our help is in the name of the LORD
                            Who made the heavens and the earth

~ Living God, help us to be Your rock of hope, faith, and love for those who are lost in the grip of addiction, depression, and/or illness of body, mind, or spirit. Let us also give comfort to all who give their strength in care for those they love.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Our help is in the name of the LORD
                            Who made the heavens and the earth

~ Living God, give solace and rest to the sorrowful as they mourn, and open wide the gates of heaven, as You receive in joy, those we now commend to the bliss of eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Our help is in the name of the LORD
                            Who made the heavens and the earth

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

                            Our help is in the name of the LORD
                            Who made the heavens and the earth

~ Living God, we give special thanksgivings for those helping us through teaching, preaching, and guiding, to discover what is our holy and acceptable spiritual worship of You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                            Our help is in the name of the LORD
                            Who made the heavens and the earth

The Celebrant adds:  Transcendent, Immortal, and Holy God, we offer the grace-filled gifts You bestowed upon us, in service to Your Supreme will. Let us, as the Body of Christ, renew our minds, transform our souls, and escape the snares of conforming to all that is of this world. We ask through Jesus, Son of Man, our Blessed Messiah; and the Holy Spirit, Your Divine Breath, who together with You are one God, omnipotent, eternal, and everlasting.   Amen.





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