Prayers of the People: The Unexpected Hour, 12th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, August 7, 2016, 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Ps 50: 1-8, 23-24; Hebs 11:1-3, 8-16; Lk 12:32-40

...seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. [Isaiah 1:17]

...for I am God, your God...Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God. [Ps 50:7b, 24]

      Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...For he looked forward to the city that has foundations; whose architect and builder is God...they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. [Hebrews 11: 1,10, 16a]

       Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit...You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. [Luke 12: 33b-35, 40]

       Again this week we are reminded that earthly life is very short, yet there is much to do to be ready for the return of the Son of Man. While it seems on the one hand that we are always being called to give up every thing, on the other, this is more about arranging our lives around what is truly important, placing less emphasis on the material and much more on the spiritual, the unfailing treasure in heaven. There is no difficulty in understanding and recognizing the truth of the statement that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Paul reminds us of the strength of the faith of Abraham ~ even when he didn't live long enough to receive all that was promised, or, perhaps it was his soul that was gifted and served by God through his faithfulness. 

       This faith work seems especially hard in these days and times with so many delicious and even frustrating distractions that keep us from centering ourselves on our soul's vocation: Full-Time Faithful Followers of Christ. 

       One key is simplicity in reducing the accumulation of unnecessary things, activities, and diversions. Another is to begin and end each day in prayer and find moments throughout the day to offer thanks in between asking for help. Another is genuine, unplugged (electronically and otherwise ) Sabbath time. Let us keep ourselves in God's way. Yes, yes, I know, I'm working on it, I'll get to it as soon as I finish writing this, cleaning that, paying the bills, checking on-line bargains, texting and driving (which may actually bring one quickly to that unexpected hour and encounter with Jesus or cause it for another)... Part-time Christianity isn't what God has in mind. Our Heavenly Broker is all about Vocation Vocation Vocation - using our life's work as preparation for the unexpected hour when we will be called to the City of God. Be dressed for action. Don't let the time to be ready slip by unnoticed.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our God, let us continually honor You with our thanksgivings and always keep in Your Way to be worthy of Your eternal Salvation. Guide us to seek our heart's unfailing treasure in You.

                                                O Lord Most High

RESPONSE:             Guide us home to Your Heavenly Country

~ O God, our God, fill us with conviction in faith to stand among all who lead in this world, this nation, and our community, and seek the assurance of things hoped for our neighbors and ourselves - justice, the rescue of the oppressed, and the defense of those made helpless through war, poverty, and greed. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord Most High

                                                Guide us to Your Heavenly Country

                                               

~ O God, our God, gather into Your Heart those most vulnerable in sickness and despair, and bring them comfort in the form of loving helpers. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…

add your own petitions

                                                O Lord Most High

                                                Guide us to Your Heavenly Country

                                                           

~ O God, our God, we are blessed in our sorrow by the joyful reunion of those alive again in our glorious Homeland with You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord Most High

                                                Guide us to Your Heavenly Country

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

                                                O Lord Most High

                                                Guide us to Your Heavenly Country

           

~ O God, our God, delight again the souls of those You have called to gather Your flock, that together we may radiate the impending bliss of divine and unfailing treasure. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                O Lord Most High

                                                Guide us to Your Heavenly Country

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Almighty Creator, you are Architect and Builder of all that is, seen and unseen. Keep us ever mindful of our short sojourn on this temporal planet, and urge us to be prepared for the unexpected hour when the Son of Man returns. We ask in the name of Christ Jesus, the Living Word, and the Holy Spirit, the Revealer of Truth, who together with You are one God, infinitely, eternally, forever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: The Stuff That's Left, 11th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, July 31, 2016, 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Hosea: 11:1-11, Ps 107:1-9, 43; Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21

       I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love.  [Hosea 11:4a]

       Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his mercy endures forever...He put their feet on a straight path...For he satisfies the the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Whoever is wise will ponder these things and consider well the mercies of the LORD.  [Psalm 107: 1, 7, 9, 43]

      Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God...Christ is all and in all!  [Colossians 3:1-11]

       But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God. [ Luke 12:20-21]

       As the saying goes, "You can't take it with you" though heaven, and those left behind, know how hard we try. What we do take with us, is the baggage of sin, error, and, mostly, foolish neglect of God. As we build our un-noble barns to store up earthly materials, we are unaware of the ticking clock and unknowing what hour the chime will toll for us. Be sure to take a look around the world and in our own country and see what treasures others cling to and are desperate for - clean water, food, mosquito nets, basic shelter, health care. Google the after effects of hurricanes such as the infamous Katrina or the Asian tsunamis, tornadoes, catastrophic floods, and wild fires and see the loss of possessions measured against the loss of life.
      Check out a local estate sale and see a lifetime of collections, clothing, furniture, and just plain stuff that's left, offered for sale ~ at a bargain ~ to be collected by others and then ultimately left again for sale or other disposal. The U-Haul won't accompany the hearse. (If you've never heard, or it's been awhile, look up George Carlin's comedy piece on "Stuff" on YouTube - get the censored version if the language might offend, but it is a classic riff on shallow values.)
      How are you prepared this very night? And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?  It's less about downsizing than upsizing - start storing up spiritual treasures with God. Be filled with human kindness and bands of love; life is short and no amount of stuff will make it last longer. Whoever is wise will ponder these things...Set your minds on things that are above... 
      

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, release us from the human desire for all things unnecessary to a full life in the Spirit. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts and lead us on the straight pathway to You.

                                                 God of Eternal Life

RESPONSE:               Set our minds on Christ

~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, awaken the souls of all who govern by merit or by force in the nations of this world and in our local communities. Grant them the wisdom to ponder well that no amount of wealth or power determines the length of one’s earthly span. Their good and sincere service to benefit all Your children in this life will also benefit themselves in the next. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Eternal Life

                                                Set our minds on Christ                                                                                           

~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, free all whose spirits languish in the face of physical or emotional pain, hunger, or fear, and refresh the energy of those who try to help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                God of Eternal Life

                                                Set our minds on Christ

           

~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, liberate the hearts that grieve with the joy that all whom we have loved now rise to live again, in the newness and glory of Christ our Lord. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Eternal Life

                                                Set our minds on Christ                                                                                           

~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…

                                                God of Eternal Life

                                                Set our minds on Christ

           

~ LORD of Enduring Mercy, for all You have called to lead us in Your church with cords of human kindness and bands of love, we give You thanks. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                God of Eternal Life

                                                Set our minds on Christ

The Celebrant adds:  Compassionate Lord, as the longest life on this Earth is but a moment in Your time, keep us from foolishness that we may present ourselves to You, in our designated time, ready and worthy to ascend to heaven’s highest height. We ask through Jesus, our constant Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our eternal Advocate, who together with You are One God, now, always, and forever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: A.S.K., repeat, A.S.K., repeat... 10th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, July 24, 2016, 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13

       ...and in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it shall be said to them, "Children of the living God."
[Hosea 1:10b]

        Mercy and truth have met together...righteousness shall go before him, and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. [Ps 85:10a, 13]

        See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition...and not according to Christ. [ Colossians 2:8]

        I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened....how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" [Luke 11:9-10, 13b]

     I don't like to ask for things, for favors, or even help, sometimes to my own detriment. I am getting better mostly because there have been moments where I had no choice, but it goes against the in-bred grain of self-sufficiency. I am fortunate to have family and friends nearby who remind me often that they are as available to me as I am to them, in all times, good and bad, and especially in times of need. Yet, more often than not, I cave to my self-imposed notion of "bothering" them. 

    The parable Jesus tells us in this week's reading makes many of us in western culture a bit squirmy and, perhaps silently, critical of the friend who would knock at midnight and be told to go away only to continue until the door is opened and the request fulfilled. RUDE! is what we would say (or worse). But the code of hospitality and community is so strong in other cultures that despite the inconvenience, one asks and the other aids. Jesus explains and reinforces the expectation of God that we are to continually Ask of, Search for, and Knock on God's eternal door to be given, to find, and to have opened. The idea is simple, who of us would even think of feeding a snake or a scorpion to children who ask for fish and eggs, therefore, how much greater will we receive from the Holy Spirit if we but merely ask. It sounds a lot harder than it is, but less difficult if we do it together. Persistence is the key and Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us, "That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed but that our power to do is increased." A.S.K, repeat...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O LORD of Righteousness and Peace, restore our hearts to the certainty of Your mercy and truth, and protect us from captivity in false teaching and empty deceit.  

                                                  Holy and Living God

RESPONSE:           Deliver us from evil; renew us in hope

~ O LORD of Righteousness and Peace, transform and enlighten the leaders of this Earth, our nation, and our community. Allay our fears and grief for the tragedies in this world, and keep us rooted in the Gospel of Jesus. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Living God

Deliver us from evil; renew us through hope

                                               

~ O LORD of Righteousness and Peace, soften the pain and anguish of all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and grant patience to all who give care and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Holy and Living God

Deliver us from evil; renew us through hope

           

~ O LORD of Righteousness and Peace, calm the sorrow and tears of those who mourn as You grant to all of our faithful departed the glory of everlasting life in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Living God

Deliver us from evil; renew us through hope

                       

~ O LORD of Righteousness and Peace, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

Holy and Living God

Deliver us from evil; renew us through hope

           

~ O LORD of Righteousness and Peace, may those ordained and anointed to pastor us in wellness and in ill health, in joy and in sorrow, in preaching and in teaching, be further enriched in wisdom and in grace to Your glory and the salvation of us all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy and Living God

Deliver us from evil; renew us through hope

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious God, endow us with the persistence to ask often for Your Presence in our lives, search for help to forgive others as we are forgiven, and knock constantly on the door to Eternal Life. Turn us from the human pathways of trespass and trial into the fullness of Christ our Savior. We ask through Jesus, the Bread of Life, and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.    

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Busy is as Busy Doesn't, 9th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, July 17, 2016, 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Amos 8:1-12, Ps 52, Col 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

       This is what the Lord GOD showed me ~ a basket of summer fruit...Then the LORD said to me, "The end has come upon my people, Israel..." [Amos 8:1, 2b]

        But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will give you thanks for what you have done and declare the goodness of your name in the presence of the godly.  [Psalm 52: 8-9]

        And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death...provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith... [Colossians 1:21-22, 23a]

        But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her. [Luke 10:41-42]

        We're all so very busy despite all sorts and conditions of modern technology  in our western culture that is supposed to encourage and allow more leisure time. Yet even our vacations are busy before, during, and after, to the point of exhaustion; and, in everyday life there is always so much more to be done. At home, at work, at Church - organize, plan, prepare, meet, discuss, re-organize, re-plan. Think: Christmas and Easter - oh the lists, the shopping, the food, the interminable interruptions of the other parts of life such as weddings, births, sickness, and those always inconvenient deaths. And if you have children or teens at home, there are a thousand other things to do. Naturally we know that once everything settles down, we can get on with the business of the God and faith stuff. Well, except that as a volunteer, ministry participant, committee chair, or by just showing up on Sunday, God's business does get done, but where is the living in faith in all of that?        

        Yes, we try to do good work in God's name which is all well and fine as long as we remember to do what we do, and occasionally mention, that it is all in God's name. So, as soon as time permits, I'll remember to trust in the mercy of God and give thanks, and declare the goodness of God's name, and be securely established and steadfast in the faith in the midst of all that the Marthas in my life and I think I should be doing. 

        I saw a sign today that said, "Someday is not on the calendar." Busy may accomplish earth-bound tasks in the life where someday never arrives. But being merely busy doesn't draw us closer to Christ. Let us choose the better part of the God-given life we have, a Mary-er life in faith.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Fullness and Refuge, help us to be as constant and vigorous as a green olive tree, securely established in living the truth of the Gospel, and not be turned and wilted as quickly as a basket of summer fruit, in the heat of difficult times.

                                                Lord, in Your Mercy

RESPONSE:         Keep us steadfast in our faith

~  God of Fullness and Refuge, strengthen our resolve to reveal Your Word to all dominions, rulers, and powers, in every corner of this world, great and small, that the hearts and minds of all earthly leaders are reconciled to You for the sake of all Your peoples. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord, in Your Mercy

                                                Keep us steadfast in our faith

                                               

~  God of Fullness and Refuge, restore the health and hope of those burdened with chronic pain in body, mind, or spirit, and refresh all who bring them comfort and care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Lord, in Your Mercy

                                                Keep us steadfast in our faith

           

~  God of Fullness and Refuge, we give You thanks and praise for the joy of eternal life in glory now bestowed on those we have loved in this life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord, in Your Mercy

                                                Keep us steadfast in our faith

                       

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

                                                Lord, in Your Mercy

                                                Keep us steadfast in our faith

           

~ God of Fullness and Refuge, look with favor upon those who serve You in Your Church and shepherd our souls to follow in the footsteps of Christ together. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord, in Your Mercy

                                                Keep us steadfast in our faith

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Lord God, of Promise and Presence, free us from the traps of worry, busyness, and distraction we set for ourselves, estranging us from You. Infuse us with the wisdom to choose the better and everlasting part of the life you have given us to live. We ask through Jesus, Firstborn of All Creation, and the Holy Spirit, our Wonderful Counselor, who together with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Plumbing the Depths, 8th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, July 10, 2016, 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Amos 7:7-17, Ps 82, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37

Thy Republican Neighbor, Thy Democrat Neighbor,
Thy Libertarian Neighbor, Thy Liberal Neighbor,
Thy Conservative Neighbor, Thy Hindu Neighbor, 
Thy Buddhist Neighbor, Thy Annoying Neighbor,
Thy Cranky Neighbor, Thy Gossipy Neighbor,
Thy Neighbor's Terrible Children, Thy Old Neighbor,
Love All Thy Neighbors as Thyself

         This is what the Lord God showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel..." [Amos 7:7-17]

         Rescue the weak and the poor;
deliver them from the power of the wicked. 
[ Ps 82:4]

         May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from [God's] glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience... [Colossians 1:11] 

         "Teacher", he said, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" [Jesus] said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" [The lawyer] answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all our soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." [Jesus] said, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live. [Luke 10:25-28]

        Amos saw God with a plumb line, a cord with a heavy weight at the bottom used to determine if a vertical wall is perpendicular ~ straight and "true" in its construction. It can also determine depth. In this reading, God, not finding a good measure of plumb, decided to do some reconstruction, or perhaps more accurately, some demolition. And the lawyer in this passage from Luke speaks words that are so familiar we could recite them yet don't we still find them difficult to live? This was a shocking parable in its time and if we use a substitute for Samaritan such as Satanist, and something like "contagious" for the man beset by robbers on the road, perhaps we can understand the apprehension of those who passed by without helping [and also the "Law" that forbade touching the "unclean"] and the amazement that he would be helped by so unlikely a person. In the words of a popular tv show, What would you do? Now is a good time to plumb the depths of our own faith, to do some reconstruction (and demolition if necessary), to hear, understand, and accept that to love our neighbors IS to love ourselves and God; and, that everyone whether liked, unliked, feared, mistrusted, dangerous, annoying, etc., IS our neighbor. Paul prayed, as we must, for our strength, endurance, and patience from God. The Samaritan showed mercy ~ above and beyond ~ let us go and do likewise.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Almighty and Abiding God, in such difficult times as these when our fear and mistrust of those unlike ourselves is rising, fill us with knowledge and understanding of Your will, that our love for our neighbors and ourselves will be a true measure of our love for and faith in Christ.

                                                Holy Creator

RESPONSE:         Grant us wisdom, patience, and strength

~  Almighty and Abiding God, help us to support the upright and honorable people who serve in governments in every nation, state, and locale, who uphold the principles of integrity, compassion, and mercy, on this, Your Earth. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy Creator

Grant us wisdom, patience, and strength                                     

~  Almighty and Abiding God, rescue the poor, the weak, and the sick with Your healing mercy, and give comfort and endurance to all who assist them. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

Holy Creator

Grant us wisdom, patience, and strength      

~  Almighty and Abiding God, deliver all who are lost in the darkness of grief into the joy of knowing, that those who have died, now live on in the eternal light of Christ’s heavenly peace. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

Holy Creator

Grant us wisdom, patience, and strength      

                       

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

Holy Creator

Grant us wisdom, patience, and strength      

                       

~ Almighty and Abiding God, as we look to our faithful ministers of Your Word and Sacraments as our guides of truth in action, endow them with steadfastness and endurance to urge us along the right pathways and share in the inheritance of the saints. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy Creator

Grant us wisdom, patience, and strength      

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  O God, Source of all Being, help us to plumb the depths of our faith to reset our grounding in You, and seek to share the love and mercy for others that we each have in You. We ask through Jesus, the Incarnation of Love, and the Holy Spirit, the Fount of Wisdom, who together with You, are One God, forever and always.  Amen.

         

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Dusty Lambs, 7th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, July 3, 2016, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Ps 30, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

    But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, 'Wash and be clean'?  So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. [2 Kings 5:1-14]

      Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow...if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life...let us not grow weary in doing what is right...So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. [Galatians 6:7, 8b-9a, 10]

        [The Lord] said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few...Go on  your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves...Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone...shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not it will return to you...But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you...say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against  you.' [Luke 10:2a, 3, 5-7, 10-11a]

       The world is a fearsome place. Far away and close to home there is turmoil, anger, mistrust, and violence. Political agenda spirals seemingly out of control in the failing attempt to exert more long-term control over local power and personal wealth and prestige. Misinformation, disinformation, and deliberate manipulation fuel the fires of those who act impulsively with nothing more than looping 10 second soundbites, self-aggrandizing opinion and deliberate lies disguised as broadcast journalism, and clever but deceptive tabloid headlines to inform. Wars, extreme weather, other catastrophes destroy life and property daily. In short, there is nothing new happening in the world. We are but sheep in the fields of history and humanity. Yet despite superficial evidence to the contrary we are no worse off than at any other time since the world began. But there are more of us now and we "know" more with the increasing rapidity of the broken "breaking news." It is all happening in our time, not our parents', grandparents', or the annals of past civilizations which raises the level of anxiety that results in chaotic response, ambivalence, or apathy. We all seek to find some level ground to rest upon, to think, to plan, to understand. And the place of busy resting is in Jesus. 

       Paul tells us we reap what we sow and we are not to grow weary in doing what is right. Of course if everyone believes that what they are doing is "right" how can we decide what really is?  Naaman was reminded by servants that he might have agreed to the healing ritual that Elisha prescribed if the activity had been more difficult. Perhaps we, too, feel that living into our faith must be too difficult for us mere mortals so we escape into checklists of giving money and attending church services as doing our duty, fearful of the wolves who will mock us, or worse, and the commitment required if we live the life we are called to live. But let's try, together, in the Family of Faith, to walk the Gospel path, offer Peace to all and accept what returns. Let us shake the dust of complacency from ourselves, as Christ's lambs, and labor in the fields of God. Not a promise of ease in life to be sure, but a sure Promise of eternal life with joy.   

       

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord our God, arouse and provoke us in heart and in mind to labor in Your fields for the good of all, sow to the Spirit, and reap the plentiful harvest of the Family of Faith.

                                                Lord with Your Favor

RESPONSE:           We will do what is right

~  O Lord our God, spare the lambs of Your pasture from the wolves of unbridled self-interest lurking in governments now, and in those to come, throughout this world, in our own nation, and our local communities. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord with Your Favor

                                    We will do what is right

                                               

~  O Lord our God, lift the spirits of those who have fallen through chronic sickness, poverty, and depression, and lighten the load for all who give support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Lord with Your Favor

                                    We will do what is right

           

~  O Lord our God, shelter all who are in the depths of grief, and infuse a spark of joy that grows into rejoicing, to know the ones we have sent to You are a new creation of life, love, and peace for all eternity.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord with Your Favor

                                    We will do what is right           

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

                                                Lord with Your Favor

                                    We will do what is right

                       

~ O Lord our God, grant infectious energy and contagious inspiration to those You have appointed to lead us on the path to everlasting life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Lord with Your Favor

                                    We will do what is right

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  God of Benevolence and Strength, impel our desire to shake off the dust of our own complacency, immerse ourselves in the healing elements of prayer, and turn our lives to Your service in the spirit of gentleness. We ask through Jesus, our Teacher, and the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, who together with You are One God, infinite and eternal. Amen. 

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