September 26: 18^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 21

 Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (Israel kvetches to Moses. Moses kvetches to God. God appoints 70 to help him deal with aforementioned kvetching)

 Psalm 104:27-35 (You give food in due season; your Spirit gives them breath)

      RCL/ELW: Psalm 19:7-14: (God’s perfect law keeps one from sin; let words of mouth, meditation of heart be acceptable in his sight)

 James 5:1-20 (Warning to rich oppressors; patience in suffering; prayers, anointing, and confession; bringing one back from sin a great thing)

     RCL/ELW: James 5:13-20 (omits first 2 things)

 Mark 9:38-50 (Who is not against me is for me; cup of cold water; solemn warning about temptations to sin)

 

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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

Dear Father, thank you for being good to us even when we complain, balk, and act like jerks instead of Jesus. Thank you for giving us little things we can do to show our love for you. Thank you for prayer, anointing, and loving exhortation that calls us away from sin and back to you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You appointed 70 elders to ease Moses’ burden of leadership. Give your Church Spirit-filled pastors, priests, bishops, deacons, and teachers. Keep them obedient to your Word. Make them radiant with the love of Jesus. By their holy care, keep everyone in their charge safe from sin and from the allure of evil.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world. Give them patience in suffering and hope in their darkest night. Help us, who have much, to refresh them with our prayers and with whatever gifts we can share, even if it seems as small as a cup of cold water.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant a spirit of charity and patience to this congregation. Remind us, even when it would be easy to complain, of Jesus’ words, “Whoever is not against Me is for Me!” Help us to work together kindly and willingly. Make us eager to share the gifts you have lavished upon us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for all who struggle against any temptation to sin. Their battle may be long, hard, and hidden from others. Help us deal gently with everyone we meet. Only you know what burdens they bear and what demons they battle.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Remind our earthly leaders that they have been entrusted with a solemn obligation: to care for their people, especially the poor, hungry, and oppressed. Give them grace to think, speak, and act according to your will, for the common good. Help all of us to treat our neighbors with respect, kindness and justice, so that we may live peaceably with one another.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Shield and strengthen all who go into harm’s way in defense of life and liberty. Give them wisdom, integrity, self-control, and sound judgment, even in chaotic situations. Bring them back to their loved ones safely and soon; and establish your peace among us all.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Even a cup of cold water given in your name can be blessed refreshment to one who suffers. Grant this and more to all who are in distress – especially: {List}. Restore them to health and hope. Grant a double portion of your Spirit to all who minister to them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you, Father, for your faithful servants whom you have gathered into your Kingdom. Fill those who mourn with “tidings of comfort and joy.” Fill us all with your steadfast love and mercy. Fill us with the sure hope that through the merits of your dear Son, you will welcome us, with all the redeemed, into your Kingdom, where we will rejoice in your love forever.

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.

September 19: 17^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20

 

Jeremiah 11:18-20 (Jeremiah’s life threatened, like lamb led to slaughter)

 Psalm 54 (Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate my by your might)

 James 3:13-4:10 (Earthly versus heavenly wisdom and friendship)

            RCL/ELW: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (Eliminates “Adulterers! Friendship with world is enmity with God,” and exhortation to lament sin, humble self that God may exalt)

 Mark 9:30-37 (Passion prediction; argument over who is greatest)

 

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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

 

Most holy Father, thank you for Jesus, our spotless and innocent lamb, slain to take away our sin. Thank you that he willingly suffered betrayal, torture, and death for love of us. Thank you for saving us in the strong name of Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Conform your Church to your beloved Son, and not to the world. Make it model his love, forgiveness, and purity to those who scorn or have forgotten such things. Through its words and deeds, lead many to the foot of Jesus’ Cross, there to receive life and salvation.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Help those of us who are comfortable in our Christianity to serve, defend, and provide for your persecuted and suffering Church. Let us never, by scandalous words or selfish deeds, cheapen or debase their faithful witness to their Savior – and ours.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We ask your blessing upon this congregation and all its ministries. Help us to take delight in glorifying your name through self-giving service to one another and to our communities.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Jesus exalts servanthood as an example of his loving obedience to his Father. It’s easy for us to overlook or belittle those who actually are servants in everyday life. Bless them, and adorn their labors with the loveliness of Christ’s labors on our behalf. Help us to notice, honor, and compensate servants, laborers, hired hands, and others who do the work we’d rather not.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Rulers and leaders, celebrities and authorities are used to lording it over others. Give them a teachable spirit and humble heart. Make them eager to use their riches of intellect, authority, and station to serve the people entrusted to their care. Give each of us the grace, wisdom, and kindness to be true friends, neighbors, and servants to those around us.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Raise up pastors and evangelists who boldly preach and tenderly care for people who are starving for your Word. Help us to encourage and provide for them. Bless seminaries as they teach them. Bless spiritual directors and mentors who shape them into your servant leaders.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Thank you for doctors, nurses, therapists, EMT’s, orderlies, and all whose service helps people in deep distress. Give them a double portion of your Spirit. Use their skills and our support and prayers to bring healing and comfort the abused, imprisoned, sick, wounded, lonely, confused, grieving, or dying. Especially we plead on behalf of: {List}.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Father, we thank you for all your good and faithful servants, especially those whose deaths we mourn. Keep us steadfast in faith, firm in hope, constant in love, generous in service, and abundant in joy as we continue our earthly pilgrimage. Lead us in this life “with the Cross of Jesus going on before.” Bring us, through his good work, into the blessed Kingdom where we find our eternal life and joy in union with you and with all whom you have redeemed.

 

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.

September 12: 16^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19

 

Isaiah 50:4-10 (Suffering Servant’s humiliation and vindication)

            RCL/ELW: Isaiah 50:4-9a (eliminates punishment of Suffering Servant’s accusers, and also the verse about obeying God while walking in darkness)

Psalm 116:1-9 (You deliver soul from death, eyes from tears, feet from stumbling)

 James 3:1-12 (Taming the tongue)

 Mark 9:14-29 (Jesus heals the boy with epilepsy)

            RCL/ELW: Mark 8:27-38 (Peter’s confession, Jesus’ rebuke, following him involves self-denial)

 

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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 delivering our souls from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from stumbling. Thank you for your Son, who took on our stumbling, tears, sins, and death, and who gives us his holy and lovely life in return. Thank you for healing us so that we can follow Jesus and share him with the whole world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that your Church always proclaims Christ crucified and raised from the dead. Let it constantly confess Jesus as your only-begotten Son and beloved Servant, who bears and heals the world’s sin, sorrow, and suffering.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Persecuted Christians throughout the world bear their cross in faithful obedience to Jesus. Sustain, protect, bless, and provide for them. Help us, whose crosses are lighter, to bear their burdens however we can.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Increase the faith of everyone in this congregation, dear Lord. Conform our worship and works to Christ. Use us to bring his healing, forgiveness, and salvation to those who need it most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Most church programs start now. Bless and prosper all that glorifies you and builds up the Body of Christ. Increase our love of learning, zeal for service, and warmth of spirit. Especially we pray for teachers, discipleship guides, choirs, committees, and all who shine the love of Jesus upon those who do not know him well.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Grant humility and wisdom to the leaders of nations and captains of industry, the giants of culture and icons of sport, the legislators and judges, the researchers, teachers, philosophers, and others who shape our world. Remind them that all they have is from you, given in trust for the benefit of all people. Give everyone the desire and ability to live justly and kindly with each other, despite our differences.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We reflect on the 20^th anniversary of 9-11, and pray that never again shall hatred and evil ideology cause such harm anywhere on this poor suffering earth. Beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning-hooks. Soften every heart to receive, cherish, and share your pure, holy love for us, for we are all created in your image and offered forgiveness and salvation through the death and resurrection of your Son.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Sometimes as we pray for loved ones in distress, we are like the father who cried out to you, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!” Keep us steadfast in faith as we pray for all who suffer. Remind us all that Jesus has indeed “borne our sickness and carried our infirmity.” In his name we pray for: {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy God, keep in your tender care our beloved dead. Help us to encourage one another in prayer, holy living, faith, and love. Receive us into the glorious company of all the redeemed, who with angels and archangels and all the hosts of heaven, praise and adore you forever – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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.

“Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

This does not say you must be worthy, it says to walk in a manner as though you were worthy.  We are all walking the path toward being like Christ, but would any dare say they are already there?  The Lord is calling you forward and has empowered you in Christ to accomplish what He intends.  Come then in the exhortations you have received and walk with and in Him always.

Lord, I still have much to learn.  You have sent those who would help me in this life.  Help me to remember all of the good things I have received that I might continue in the life of faith You have given me by grace.  Guide me always to walk according to Your goodness, leading me to the place where I live as Your child.  Whatever it takes, keep me moving in that direction, dear Lord.

Lord Jesus, You knew the price You would have to pay in order to enable each one of us to journey in the direction of becoming like You.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life in order that I would now and forever walk according to the precepts You have given all of us.  Lead me to be steadfast, learning how to walk in the way which is worthy of the calling I have received by grace through faith.  Amen.