For Sunday, May
8, 2016, 7th Sunday after Easter, Year C, Readings: Acts
16:16-34, Ps 97, Revelation 22:12-14; 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26
...Then [the jailer] said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."...He and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God. [Acts 16: 30-31, 34b]
It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
[Revelation 22:16]
Jesus...looked up to heaven and said... "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they all may be one...so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. [John 17: 1a, 20-21a, 26b]
Faith is the primary element of Christianity and prayer is the backbone of faith. Of course we must have faith as without it, Christian becomes a mere empty label. Paul shows the power of faith to others and the prisoners stayed and the jailer rejoiced in his own new faith. Yet without prayer, faith itself is unfulfilled, it has limited direction and action. The whole of John 17 is Jesus' prayer before he leaves the disciples to carry on without him but it isn't just about himself or the disciples at hand. It is also about us, Jesus speaks of those who will believe in me through their word.
Now, in this Easter season, is an excellent time for me to examine the state of my faith and how I pray. Do I simply repeat familiar syllables in the liturgical rituals, is prayer only a way to call out for help when I want or need something for myself or someone else? Or, do I thoughtfully, and intentionally, make time to truly and sincerely pray in faith to build my relationship with God? There are innumerable volumes of books written on various forms of prayer, many worth exploring if prayer seems difficult, intimidating, or mysterious. But a simple way to begin again is to think of prayer as an intimate conversation with God, your closest confidante - the Person who knows you better than you know yourself. There are no right words, no correct procedures, just sincerity and faith, even if you think sometimes that your faith is wavering or weak. The mere impulse to pray is proof that a mustard seed amount of faith exists within.
Jesus shows us the way of prayer - it strengthens faith, draws us together in community, and gives us blessings and hope. Prayer is, quite simply, the most perfect conversation we can ever have. Any time, any place, any way - aloud, silently, written, poetic, scattered, rambling. There is always an interested non-judgmental Listener. Prayer is the opportunity, in faith, to place cares, woes, hopes, dreams, thanksgivings, contrition, in the Heart of God. Let us pray without ceasing [1 Thessalonians 5:17].
Jesus shows us the way of prayer - it strengthens faith, draws us together in community, and gives us blessings and hope. Prayer is, quite simply, the most perfect conversation we can ever have. Any time, any place, any way - aloud, silently, written, poetic, scattered, rambling. There is always an interested non-judgmental Listener. Prayer is the opportunity, in faith, to place cares, woes, hopes, dreams, thanksgivings, contrition, in the Heart of God. Let us pray without ceasing [1 Thessalonians 5:17].
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Savior Christ, You are the bright morning star
of Creation, loved from before the world was founded. Draw us into the prayer
of faith that binds us to You and to each other, to all be as one, complete in
the eternal love of God.
Jesus,
Root of the Tree of Life
RESPONSE: Let our prayer come to You
~
O Savior Christ, teach us the words to make God known in the hearts of those
who lead the nations and all the people of the Earth, to ensure justice, peace,
and the necessities of human life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Root
of the Tree of Life
Let
our prayer come to You
~ O Savior Christ, hear the prayers and heal the
bodies and minds of all who suffer through illness, anxiety, or hopelessness,
and fill those who support them with compassion. We now join our voices to pray aloud
for those in need… add your own petitions
Jesus, Root
of the Tree of Life
Let
our prayer come to You
~
O Savior Christ, shine the light of Your Presence on all grieving hearts, as
those we have sent ahead now enter the gates of heavenly peace and life
everlasting. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Root
of the Tree of Life
Let
our prayer come to You
~
O Savior Christ, we pause in this
moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or
silently… add your own petitions
Jesus, Root
of the Tree of Life
Let
our prayer come to You
~
O Savior Christ, as you prayed for the disciples of Your own time, pray without
ceasing for us, the disciples of this time, especially those ordained to serve
in Your Church to bring us Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Root
of the Tree of Life
Let
our prayer come to You
The Celebrant adds: Jesus, Alpha and Omega, as
the Word made Flesh You are in God, with God, and of God. Quench our spiritual
thirst with the flowing water of eternal life that we may see Your glory and
live forever in You. We ask through the Almighty Father in Christ, and the Holy
Spirit, the Mother of Wisdom who together with You are One God, now and through
eternity. Amen.
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