September 5: 15^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18 (Labor Day Weekend)

Isaiah 35:4-7a (Promise of recompense, salvation, healing and joy)

 Psalm 146 (God sets prisoners free, opens eyes of blind, lifts poor from the dust)

 James 2:1-10, 14-18 (Warning against partiality; faith without works is dead)

 Mark 7:24-37 (Syrophoenician woman’s faith; Jesus heals deaf man)

 

THE PRAYERS 

 

Trusting, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the goodness of our heavenly Father, let us pray in Jesus’ name for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Father, thank you for the persistent faith of the Syrophoenician woman. Thank you for James’ blunt words about partiality and judgment, and about faith and works. Thank you for stretching our hearts, minds, and souls as you challenge and enlarge our faith in Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heal and restore your church, purchased with the precious blood of your Son. Drive from it all partiality and false teaching. Fill it with such faith in Jesus that all its words and deeds cause many to hear the Good News, turn to you, and receive forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Give a spirit of trustfulness to your Church when it is persecuted for confessing Christ as Savior. Grant repentance and faith to its foes, until all hearts turn to you in adoration and praise.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give the people of this congregation such confidence in the love of Christ that they trust his holy Word, treasure his life-giving Sacraments, and constantly tell others of his great mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Thank you for the dignity of work, the joy of relaxation, and the opportunity to create. Grant satisfaction and just reward for honest labor of hand and mind. Help us provide relief for those who cannot work, or whose businesses are struggling. Teach us to honor all work that is done with an upright heart.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

You are Lord of all the nations. To you all the rulers of the earth shall bow down and give an account of their deeds. Teach them to act with wisdom and without partiality. Let them care for the widows, widowers, orphans, and destitute. Cause them to seek justice within and peace beyond their borders. Make them examples of integrity and compassion to their citizens.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Protect and guide our military and all who stand in harm’s way. Bring healing to the wounded and give strength and patience to their families. Use their skills, whether here or abroad, to establish the blessings of liberty, justice, and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Grant that all who cry to you for help and healing; for forgiveness and restoration; or for guidance and comfort, may find your grace sufficient for their need. Especially we lift before you: {list}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, we entrust to you all who clung to your promises in this life, and whose death we now mourn. Grant us hope in our Lord Jesus, so our sorrow turns to joy. Help us to encourage and assist each other. Bring us to your house, where we are fed not crumbs under the table, but the rich banquet fare of the Lamb’s high feast. By your gracious Spirit, let us, with all the redeemed, bless and adore you for the majesty and love which shines in the face of your dear Son.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

Wisdom is an applied combination of understanding, knowledge, and finesse.  Those around you do not want to be treated as objects, nor as idiots any more than you want to be treated by others this way.  Sharing the faith is a matter of sharing.  You are selling nothing.  Come then and live into the life that Christ gives you and be leaven in your community.  Live the faith and others will see that you live differently.

Lord, teach me not to be one who is pushing, nor selling, but humbly living the faith You have given me.  Guide me in Your example to be one hundred percent in, but also myself, loving others as You have loved me.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always be guided by You in the hope You give me by grace.  Let the salt in me be salty always.

Lord Jesus, You told us to let our light so shine that others would see what we do and glorify the Father.  Guide me in the way of this hope and promise in order that I may live today doing just that.  Guide me to be consistent in all I do knowing that in You alone is all hope and the promise of eternal life.  In You, Lord, I have a future.  May You season my life with Your presence and purpose.  Amen.