Prayers of the People: Fired Up, Again! 12th Sunday after Pentecost

for August 31, 2014, 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Ex 3:1-15; Ps 105: 1-6, 23-26, 44-45; Romans 12:9-21; Mt 16:21-28 [NRSV]

       Moses was called from out of the fire to free the Hebrews from the horrors of their existence in the ancient world. The world of today is being consumed by the fires of our own making through political animosity, corporate greed, senseless killings, war, ethnic and racial hatred, suffering, misery, tragedy - thank heavens we live in modern times!
       It would be so easy to wander lost in the wilderness of despair or apathy or cling to the false god of profit and power to save us from ourselves.  Paul, for one, won't let us be still and gives us a rapid-fire list of how to begin to be the Living Sacrifice that Jesus calls us to be:  Let love be genuine, hate evil, hold fast to good, love one another, outdo, don't lag, rejoice, be patient, persevere, contribute, extend, bless, rejoice, weep, live, associate, and don't claim to be wiser than you are, etc., etc., etc. 
       I'm nearly exhausted at the thought of it all yet Jesus reminds us that all that has been done will be repaid. The time is now, the place is here, there is much to do so, let's get fired up, again.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, Your Divine Fire sanctifies our faith, transforms our souls, and guides us to find our footing on Your holy ground, this bounteous Earth, our island home. Keep our faces turned toward You, that we may not be consumed by human things, but set our minds on all that is Holy.

                              We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

RESPONSE:    As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, kindle in us the ardor of spirit that will prevail upon the leaders of this world, our country, and our community, to renounce the actions of repaying evil with evil. We must employ honor and zeal to overcome malevolence with the humane. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, You know the sufferings of Your people, give us the listening ear and helping hand to care for those who are caught in a cycle of addiction, physical or mental illness, or homelessness, and for those who are struggling to meet their needs.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, we also weep with those who weep for the loss of their loved ones who are now in Your everlasting care.  Bless those now at rest who are free of misery and tears.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

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

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

~ O God of the Past, the Present, and the Eternal, for those among us who, like Moses and Peter, are reluctant but willing to take on Your mantle of leadership and ministry on our behalf, we ask Your enduring grace as we offer our humble gratitude. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                        We seek the LORD’S continual presence and strength

                        As we each say, “LORD, Here I am!”

The Celebrant adds:  Most Divine God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, grant us a hunger, not for the superficial milk and honey of this life, but for the finding of the peace in eternity as the ultimate reward for our living sacrifice. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, the fervor in our hearts, who reign together with You as one Living and Eternal God. Amen.

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