People's Prayers

Monday, March 5, 2018

Prayers of the People: Amazing Antidote 4th Sunday in Lent '18 Yr B

For Sunday, March 11, 2018, 4^th Sunday in Lent, Year B, Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22;
Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

The Israelites set out by the way to the Red Sea...but the people became impatient...[and] spoke against God and against Moses...Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents...many Israelites died...So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live." [Numbers 21:4-5a, 6, 7b-8]

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever...Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. [Psalm 107:1, 19]

But God, who is rich in mercy...made us alive together with Christ...For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast. [Ephesians 2:4a,b; 8-9]

Jesus said, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life...the light has come into the world...those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God." [John 3:14, 19a, 21]

Even God gets tired of grumbling apparently. After all the grand displays of glory - pillars of cloud and fire, parting of seas, manna, and more, the Israelites still had no confidence in the eventuality of God's deliverance. So, God sends poisonous snakes that kill, and, suddenly chastened, the people begged Moses to pray and intervene for them, he did. God delivers - not an end to the dangers, but relief. Moses, on God's orders, made a bronze snake to hang on a pole. All the Israelites had to do is look up at the snake on the pole when bitten and they lived. God is not predictable, but God is faithful. And, Paul tells us, we are saved by God's grace.

We ALL have God's grace. We don't have to work for it - no one does - it comes to us by faith. Yet how have we harnessed it, especially after we have all been bitten by our own trespassing behavior or that of someone else's? How do we respond? Have you ever thought or said that old expression: there but for the grace of God go I? It is mostly well-intended, I believe, but thought-less and even care-less. "There's that poor guy who was run over in the same intersection I just crossed" - but what you are unconsciously saying (and maybe unconsciously believe) is: "I have more grace than that guy." Hopefully you don't really mean that at all! It's generally a reaction to reduce our own fear and comfort ourselves against the dangers of life as in: Whew! Dodged that!

As we are in the deep of Lent, let us work to be more conscious, aware of even our most random thoughts and reactions. God is "rich in mercy" and understands each of us as only our Creator could, certainly better than we understand ourselves. Our lives are filled with danger, there are all sorts and conditions of "snakes" that trap us; the poison of sin can be quite tempting as well as lethal to our souls. God doesn't promise our earthly life will be easy or safe and John 3:16 isn't magic or just for football games, but for us in every day, so that everyone who believes in Christ "may not perish but may have eternal life."

We are to be true within the Light of Christ and be steadfast and faith-filled, our conscious acts are clearly to be of and in God. As the Israelites were directed to look up to the pole, Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man is also to be lifted up. We are called to look to Christ in faith for our salvation, and realize the grace of God flows through us. With prayer and practice, over time even our unconscious thoughts and actions may be less poisonous to ourselves and others! And, maybe, we could even stop grumbling quite so much. Meanwhile let us strive to grow in faith, to accept, and then feel the infusion of the Grace that is an amazing antidote to the darkness of sin.

T'was Grace that taught...

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Enduring Mercy, awaken us to see the snakes we have invited into the wilderness of our own making, by impatient striving for only the things of earth. Open the eyes of our souls to the light of Christ that stems the poison of sin and lifts our desire for eternal salvation.

Lord of Abiding Goodness

RESPONSE: By our faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, amplify our voices to all who hold power on this Planet, in this Nation, and this Community, as we clamor against ordinary and catastrophic injustice toward all who are endangered by the darkness of deliberate human trespass. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Lord of Abiding Goodness

By our faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, shelter the hearts of those suffering through illness, addiction, or homelessness, and give rest to all who provide support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

Lord of Abiding Goodness

By our faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, we give You thanks and praise for all who are now delivered from their earthly distress through the glory of new and eternal life with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Lord of Abiding Goodness

By our faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

Lord of Abiding Goodness

By our faith we accept Your grace

~ O God of Enduring Mercy, guide the souls, the minds, and the hearts of all who bring us Your Word and Sacraments that make us alive together through Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Lord of Abiding Goodness

By our faith we accept Your grace

The Celebrant adds: God of Glory, Lord of All Life, invigorate our faith and inspire us in our repentance to acknowledge and accept Your free gift of Grace, not to perish in sin but for our souls to thrive within Your everlasting Light. We ask through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and with the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit who live and reign with You as One God, now and forever.

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Monday, February 26, 2018

Prayers of the People: Making Change 3rd Sunday in Lent '18 Yr B

For Sunday, March 4, 2018, 3^rd Sunday in Lent, Year B, Readings: Exodus 20:1-7, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25,

John 2:13-22

I am the LORD your God...you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy...But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God... [Exodus 20:2a, 4, 8, 10a]

The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul...The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes... Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight... [Psalm 19:7a, 8, 14]

For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

[1 Corinthians 1:25]

In the temple [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables…Making a whip of cords he drove all of them out of the temple...poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables..."Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"...Jesus answered [the Jews], "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"...But he was speaking of the temple of his body. [John 2:14-15, 16b, 19, 21]

Here we are at about the halfway point in this Lent, and the first of the appointed readings for this week presents us with the Ten Commandments. While we all think we know them, and perhaps even memorized them as children, it's a good opportunity to look at the list again and re-think our relationship with them. By digging through some archaic vocabulary and translating it into current expressions, we may very well discover a fresh perspective. Jesus later gave us what seems to be a simplified version when answering a question by saying that we are to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Yet to me, there is nothing simplistic in the words of Jesus when we consider the entire list - that is, if I truly Love God, and Love my neighbor as myself, then presumably I won't create idols, misuse God's name or covet anything of anyone, as well as all the other dictates including sabbath. But it's always useful to revisit the original and consider how ~ or if ~ they are informing our thoughts and actions. We may not use the term generally, but a question to explore for myself might be, "what are the idols that get in my way of an active and conscious commitment to God?" Electronic devices, streaming services, social networking? When does wanting something become coveting? Why is my sabbath time not spent resting with God?
I'm quite taken with the Psalmist's language this time - not unusual as they often speak to me - I could put every word down in this space and just bathe in the imagery of a day and a night telling tales and imparting knowledge to one another without words but yet sounds that travel to all lands. The law of the Lord revives the soul and gives light to the eyes; cleanse me from my secret faults. Just sliding into a sabbath reverie with these words is resting with God and keeping a holy time.
As Paul is writing to the Corinthians in this first letter I was struck by the ending note of this small piece that God's foolishness is wiser that human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. It's an unusual construct to think of God with foolishness and weakness but Paul makes it clear that we are definitely not in God's league! Yet Christ is the power and the wisdom of God.
But the real surprise is Jesus with a whip - wow - turning the tables in more ways than one! Bad day at the Temple for those livestock sellers and money changers. Such activity was forbidden in the temple and the authorities who were present were clearly looking the other way as this was, no doubt, a convenience for worshipers, and financially viable for maintaining the temple. Surely the Jews who approached him were confused when Jesus said if the temple was destroyed he would raise it in three days! But wait, "he was speaking of the temple of his body." I remember my grandmother telling me that my body is a temple of God and I should treat it with holiness. When was the last time I thought of that? A conscious relationship with my body and my mind might just be a way to consciously live into those pesky Commandments. A regular attempt at a holy Sabbath could well do more than expected, especially in these days of violence, hate-mongering, and distress as well as the idols of human (ok, my) excess. I might find that I need God for more than just a dashed off prayer when the thought occurs. Yes, it's time for making change.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God of Power and Wisdom, from the covenant given to us through Moses, Your Divine Commands give us each clear direction for our daily lives. Embolden us to change our unfaithful ways, choose our desire to love You above all else in this life, and actively seek to fulfill our spiritual destiny in the next.

Most Holy Lord

RESPONSE: Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, quicken our determination to be heard by every political leader on this Earth, in this Nation, and throughout this Community. Grant us the words and vitality to inspire and require positive, life-giving action on behalf of all Your people, especially those beset and beleaguered by poverty, violence, and discrimination. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Holy Lord

Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, restore hope in all who are lost in the illness of body or despair of mind, and give comfort to all who provide others with care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

Most Holy Lord

Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, help our hearts rejoice as the doors of Heaven open wide to receive those we love, now alive again in Christ forever. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Holy Lord

Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

Most Holy Lord

Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, excite and enlighten the words and meditations of those who lead us in Your Church, that we may be drawn, through them, to willingly and joyfully follow the path You have set for us. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Most Holy Lord

Revive and Strengthen our Souls

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, You created each of us as a living temple to embody the love of You, our neighbors, and ourselves. Shield us from the lure of idols in the distractions of earthly life, lift our hearts and give light to our eyes, as we rejoice in Your steadfast Presence and eternal love for us all. We ask through the power and wisdom of Jesus our Christ, and the faith-filled fire of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, reign as One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Prayers of the People: Witness Protection ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent '18 Yr B

For Sunday, February 25, 2018, 2^nd Sunday in Lent, Year B, Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared...and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. ...No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham...And I will make my covenant between me and you...to be God to you and to your offspring after you. [Genesis 17:1-2a, 5a, 10a]

My praise is of him in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him...My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the LORD'S for ever. [Psalm 22:24, 29]

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith...[Abraham] grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God...For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all...who share the faith of Abraham. [Romans 4:13, 16, 20b]

But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things...For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? [Mark 8:33, 36]

In this second week of Lent, Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah, and the Psalmist instructs us in the praise of God and the reasons for it. Paul is explaining Abraham's righteousness of faith. In other words, his moral and virtuous faithfulness in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. [I underlined because I like that image of God!] Paul then says that Abraham, hoping against hope, believed what God told him about all that was to come. Swiss theologian Heinrich Emil Brunner [1899-1966] once said that “What oxygen is for lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.” And so with hope in place, Abraham and Sarah, with a few hiccups along the way, yet giving glory to God, journeyed on. Abraham, giving witness to his faith repeatedly, and hope and meaning to all our lives, has ultimately become the patriarch of the three Abrahamic religions. For Christians, he is the prototype of faith in the God that brings us to Jesus.

In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus gets serious with the disciples about his imminent future. Peter decides to challenge these notions of the suffering and death to come and Jesus, in a stunning and stern moment, rebukes Peter, calling him Satan! We also are reminded by this that we all go about setting our minds on human things and not divine in everyday life, and this is a direct cue to stop for a moment and think about the words of Jesus: For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Because we are so tied to “this” life, losing it for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of the Gospel is neither comfortable nor comforting. Speaking of our faith publicly ~ as in witnessing ~ is even more difficult for many of us. But, our human sojourn is brief, and we know not the day or the hour that it will end, no matter who we are or who we think we are.

The gift of Lent is the time to reflect, repent, and re-start our true and faithful life. As disciples of Christ in our own day, we are called to bear witness to the glory of God in Jesus and live out our days by and for the sake of the Gospel. If we do, we are the recipients of the full protection of God’s everlasting covenant. Otherwise we can try to take our treasures with us when we go but, well, good luck with that...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God Almighty, fill us with the faithfulness of Abraham and guide us to seek the names You give to our souls. Open us to receive, and accept, the bond of Your everlasting covenant, as we give witness to Your saving deeds with praise and action.