Prayers of the People: Divine Interruptions, 6th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, June 26, 2016, 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Ps 77: 1-2, 11-20; Gal 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

   

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1906-1945
German, Lutheran Pastor
Author of "The Cost of Discipleship" and other books
Murdered by the Nazis shortly before their surrender

      Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing..."  [2 Kings 2:8-10a]

          [T]he whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. [Galatians 5:15]

        To another  [Jesus] said: "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." [Luke 9:59-60]

          What is the cost of the freedom "you were called to" [Galatians 5:13] by Christ? What is the going rate for discipleship? In terms of earthly self-indulgence, or inconvenience, the cost may be very high indeed. But how do we measure short-term pleasures or the criticism and misunderstandings by others against eternal life and salvation? Of course we're quick to cry and pray when all is going wrong, yet often we're considerably slower in thanksgiving for all things - small and big - that go well. But sometimes there is that little nagging, goading, prodding something that calls you to take a second look at a person in need, give extra change to someone in the grocery line, or (with a heavy sigh), go out of your way to help someone. Divine interruption? Perhaps; maybe an unconscious moment of discipleship, loving your neighbor as yourself. The Gifts of the Spirit are available as easily as the works of the flesh. The price is simple and tax free, merely a commitment to be the hands of Christ on earth. In asking for the help to find our own path of least resistance, we'll find that the waters will part. Step across and don't look back. Christ is made our sure foundation, all we need to do is Follow.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Living God, we seek You in the time of trouble, and cry aloud for You to hear us. Interrupt our daily plans, thoughts, and actions to remind us to seek You also in the ordinary and mundane, in joy and satisfaction as well as in sorrow, fear, or frustration. Bestow an extra measure of Your Spirit upon us and keep us from measuring the cost of discipleship in anything other than the promise of everlasting salvation.

                                                 Holy and Giving Lord

RESPONSE:         Help us to walk in Your Ways

~ Living God, fill us with the wisdom and the courage to care, stand, and speak on behalf of those who have no voice, no justice, and no hope before the governments and dictatorships in this world, this nation, and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Giving Lord

Help us to walk in Your Ways                                       

~  Living God, relieve the anguish of those in constant pain or the grip of depression and bolster the energies of those who provide care and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Holy and Giving Lord

Help us to walk in Your Ways                                                   

~  Living God, attend all hearts who are in the depths of mourning as You lift the souls of those, beloved on earth, to the light of new life in Your everlasting Presence. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Giving Lord

Help us to walk in Your Ways                                       

                       

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

Holy and Giving Lord

Help us to walk in Your Ways                                                               

~ Living God, enhance and enlighten the faith of all who are called as today’s prophets in Your church, that they may continue to encourage and guide our pilgrimage in this life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Giving Lord

Help us to walk in Your Ways                                       

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: O God our Fortress and our Strength, as You constantly part the waters of the sea of our resistance, rouse us from complacency and self-indulgence, to cross over to wholly accept and live by the Fruit of the Spirit, looking only forward to the fullness of Your Kingdom.  We ask through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Revealer of Truth, who together with You are One God, now and forever.  Amen.

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