How, when one is the
adored [or feared] King with unlimited power and significant human appetites,
possessing or immediately acquiring everything desired, even the life or death
of another within finger-snapping distance, does one keep that power in check,
the appetites moderated, and the ego from attempting to control the world? If
you're King David, apparently not very well. But God was watching... and every human
reign ends.
Reckless and wanton disregard for the lives of others, as the psalmist
describes corrupt and abominable acts, may ultimately be forgiven
by God, though not without consequences and only IF the self-serving seek after
God’s love and mercy. Otherwise they will tremble with fear, because
God is in the company of the righteous.
Paul's prayer from prison reminds us, that God has the power to grant us inner
strength when we seek God and are rooted and grounded in the
love of Christ through faith. Although the faith exhibited by the disciples who
followed Jesus wasn't always perfect, as ours is also far from perfection, the
people knew by the signs of his actions who Jesus was. The available 2 fish and
5 loaves of bread were all Jesus needed to satisfy the hunger of a large crowd.
Imagine how faith in Christ, as the Bread of Life, could satisfy
our spiritual hunger and deepest soul needs. And, after all that had
happened on that day alone, as Jesus walked across the water to the boat -
he still had to tell the disciples not to be afraid. How
many of us are fearful, anxious, and worried even as we proclaim our faith?
All of us falter or fail in how we live our faith, some fail with
ego-moderating, and others with the suppression of various appetites, others
just fall away. Even Jesus got angry - righteously so, perhaps, but still, in
his human nature, he really was angry at times. And God is watching,
knowing our hearts even more than we do at times, and loving us anyway. Stop,
breathe, and pray, every now and then, to be rooted and grounded in
love, to try and understand in some small way what is the breadth and length
and height and depth [Ephesians 3:18] of our Creator's gift of
this life and the next. Whether feeding the 5,000 on the mountainside or
strolling across the Sea of Galilee on foot, God through Jesus and the Holy
Spirit, by the power of the work within us is able to accomplish
abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine [Ephesians 3:20] from the
heavens to the universe, on land and at sea. Let us be fed by faith, in
strength or weakness, for spiritual and eternal satisfaction, for courage and
comfort in the rough seas of life. When we step out together, no matter how
fearful we are, we find courage and support with the knowledge and trust in the
wealth of Christ’s divine bounty in our hearts, our minds, and our souls.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God, our Refuge and our
Strength, as You look upon us and know us deep in our hearts, fortify our inner
beings that we may be rooted in faith, fed by Your limitless love, and express
the eternal fullness of You in our everyday lives.
Faithful, Merciful
God
RESPONSE:
Turn our fear into courage
~ O God, our Refuge and our Strength, equip us to transform the
minds and hearts of all who govern on this Earth, in our Country, and in our
Community. Grant us the energy and determination to release all of Your
people from bigotry, poverty, and dread. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
Faithful, Merciful God
Turn
our fear into courage
~ O God, our Refuge and our Strength, give rest and hope to all
who suffer from serious illness in body, mind, or spirit, and relief to all who
give them care. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need…add your
own petitions
Faithful, Merciful God
Turn
our fear into courage
~ O God, our Refuge and our Strength, comfort all who mourn as
you lift the precious souls of our loved ones to the bliss and beauty of
everlasting life in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Faithful, Merciful God
Turn our fear into courage
~ O God, our Refuge and our Strength, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions
Faithful, Merciful God
Turn our fear into courage
~ O God, our Refuge and our Strength, enrich and enhance the
wisdom and vision of all who lead us in Your Church, as we sail together on the
unpredictable waters of life on our journey to You. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Faithful, Merciful God
Turn our fear into courage
The Celebrant adds: Gracious, Loving Lord,
endow us with spiritual insight to know and experience the miraculous breadth,
and length, and height, and depth of Your nourishing presence in our lives.
Grant us the gifts and willingness we need us to bring You into the life of
this world. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Teacher and Healer; and the Holy
Spirit, our Comforter in Affliction; who together with You live and reign as
One God now and forever. Amen.
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