Gospel Reflection: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here’s a reflection on Matthew 25: 14-30, the suggested gospel reading for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A).  It was written by Katherine Hawker, and posted on her Liturgies Outside the Box website.

A Call to Prayer
(Gospel Reflection based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

we have talent
precious metal
protected, hoarded.

we have talent
symbolic worth
invested, growing

we have talent
opportunity unfolding
sharing, giving

— Copyright © Katherine Hawker, 2002.  Posted on her Liturgies Outside the Box website.

Prayer of Commitment: Matthew 25: 14-30

Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.

O God,
it is your nature.
You give us yourself

In freedom we have received your Spirit.
Help us to freely give it away,
then receive it
back.

We want to say with the servant,
“You gave me two talents.
I have made two
more!”

Let us take part in your Spirit,
and to share in your
eternal
joy.


— A. Osdieck. Copyright © 2011, The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University. Visit that site for other good lectionary-based prayers for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).

Pastoral Prayer: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here’s a pastoral prayer based on Matthew 25: 14-30, one of the suggested readings for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A). It was written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild and posted on his Kir-shalom website.  

Pastoral Prayer
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

Let us pray.

Lord God - we give you thanks for all your gifts to us – for daily food - for health - for each breath we take - for freedom to choose - and for the gifts of your word, your power, and your love.  Our hearts are truly overwhelmed, O God, when we consider all that you are and how you have entrusted so much to us.  May we be worthy of that trust - may we be a people who are unafraid to live as fully and as richly as you want us to live....   Lord hear our prayer....

Help us O God, as followers of Jesus, to multiply all that you given us, to risk spreading your word and perhaps see it misunderstood, to gamble by loving those whom others think worthy only of hate, to take chances by doing good to those who have not done good to us.  Help us be faith filled and to desire to
increase your glory and your goodness in this world.  Make us ones who share in both word and deed that which you have given to us.  Lord hear our prayer....

We pray, O God, for the church here today - that it may encourage all its members to discover, develop, and use all their gifts, those of nature and those of grace...  Lord hear our prayer...

We pray for those who are poor in body or in spirit...  for those who are oppressed and heavy laden....  for those who are sick or in despair...  Minister O God by your Spirit, and by us, to all those for whom we have prayed - and help us walk faithfully in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ - he who taught us to pray
together as one family, saying. Our Father….

— copyright © Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, and posted on his Kir-Shalom website. Visit his site for other good lectionary-based worship resources and sermons.

Call to Worship: Psalm 123

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 123, one of the suggested scripture readings for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).  It was written by Joan Stott, as part of her “Timeless Psalms” collection on the Geelong City Parish UCA website.


Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 123)


Great and Glorious God, we gather to worship you.
We lift our eyes to you, in reverent awe before your majesty.
Great is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised!

Generous and Merciful God, we come to worship you.
We lift our eyes to you, giving thanks for your compassion.
Gracious is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised!

Welcoming and Empowering God, we worship you.
We lift our eyes to you, and we celebrate your faithfulness.
Holy is the Lord our God, and greatly to be praised!
We lift our eyes, seeking to worship and praise our God. Amen.

— Copyright Joan Stott.  If used in shared worship, please provide the following acknowledgement: © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.

Pastoral Prayer: November 13, 2011

Here is a pastoral prayer based on Matthew 25: 14-30, the gospel reading for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A).  It was written by Nancy Townley, on the Ministry Matters website. 

Pastoral Prayer
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

Wise and Patient God, we know what you want us to do, but we are far too often hesitant to follow through for you. You give us multiple blessings and ask that we develop these gifts and use them to help others. In times of great crisis we come through, we mobilize. But in the intermediate times, we hold back. We develop a "let someone else do it" attitude. We often think of our gifts, our talents as things that are less than worthy. In this country in which competition is the ruling code, we don’t want to compete with others, because we feel we just don’t have the right "stuff".

How blind we are, Lord! To each one of us you have given gifts which can be used to help others. Each gift and talent is precious in your sight. Rather than compete with others to see who has the greater talent, let us use the gifts we have been given joyfully.

One of the greatest gifts is the gift of prayer. And we have brought before you, Lord, the concerns which have been weighing on our hearts. Touch the lives of all these people and situations with you healing love. Give each one a sense of your powerful presence. Flood their lives with hope and peace. Help each one of us to be workers for you. Help us to trust in your abiding presence and love for us. Challenge us to use the gifts and to honor the giver, for we ask these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— written by Nancy C. Townley, and posted on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website. Visit there for other great suggestions for worship on November 13, 2011.

Gospel Reflection: My Talents?

Here’s a reflection on the gospel text for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A), the parable of the Talents.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Gospel Reflection
(Matthew 25:14-30)

How much wealth
has the master given
to my trust?
Where best
can it be put to work
at a profit
as faith must?

How many gifts
are now employed
for his gain?
Where best
to use each aptitude
though it may bring
cost and pain?

How much time
have I to spend
sharing love?
Before
the master comes again
with expectation
on his face?

—Copyright B.D. Prewer, 2001.  Posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage.

Benediction: Proper 28A

Here’s a commission and benediction based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11, one of the suggested texts for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33), written by Nathan Nettleton and posted on his Laughingbird.net website.

Commission & Benediction
(based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11) 

Go now, and live as children of the light.
Put on the breastplate of faith and love,
and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
Make the most of all God has given you
and encourage one another in Christ.

And may God’s hand be open to you in kindness;
May Christ Jesus welcome you into his joy;
And may the Holy Spirit fill you with courage, vigilance and faithfulness.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
........In the name of Christ. Amen.

© 2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Gathering & Confession: Proper 28A

Here are words for the opening of worship—Gathering, Confession, and Words of Assurance—based on the scripture texts for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A).  They were written by the Rev. Kaji R. Spellman, a United Church of Christ Pastor serving as a pastor of Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in New York City, and posted on the United Church of Christ website. Visit that site for other good prayers and resources for worship.

Gathering Prayer

There is a richness here –
a richness that greets and grows and holds and challenges and keeps.
There is a richness here –
a richness that surrounds and brings and delivers and gives.
The richness holds us in our weakness,
fills us in our hunger,
finds us when we’re lost.
So here, richly blessed, we have come, and we have been found.
Let this time together inspire us in richness and grace. Amen.

Confession

There is a richness here –
a gorgeous, flowing richness of unending abundance.
But that doesn’t mean that it guides us.
Our ways – within and beyond our control –
speak of something different:
of lack,
of fear,
of something other than
an acknowledgement of
God’s endless and beautiful
river of grace.
But how do we step into that river?
Do we step into it with trust?
Do we trust the current of God’s generous gifts?
Or do we run from the river?
For when we run,
when we turn away from God’s gifts in distrust,
We lose the refreshment and joy of that richness…
And something else reigns.
Then, what’s left?
Now is the time – now is the time to consider
     just how we distrust God’s abundance.
Now is the time – now is the time to begin something new.
Now is the time – now is them time to trust … differently.

Silence

Assurance of Pardon

Let us pray:
We haven’t always trusted, God.
But now we do.
We acknowledge the richness of your blessings
We see your flowing river of love
And we wade into your grace.
There is a richness – a richness that says “yes” – eternally –
even in the face of our behavioral “no”s.
There is a richness that penetrates distrust and offers so much more.
This richness forgives and gives even more.
We know this forgiveness.
And we thank you, God.

—from The Time of Richness: Service Prayers for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost was written by the Rev. Kaji R. Spellman, and posted on the United Church of Christ website.

Opening Prayer: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here’s an opening prayer based on Matthew 25: 14-30, one of the suggested texts for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A). It would also be appropriate to use as a prayer of commitment.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray that we may respond
to God's trust in us.

(pause)

God, our kind and loving Father,
you no longer call us servants but friends.
There is so much you have entrusted to us,
even the future of your kingdom of justice and love.
Give us the grace to work out with you
the growth of mercy and goodness in this world,
to be united with all Christians
and with all who seek you with a sincere heart
in bringing reconciliation and joy to everyone.
Let us go together the way to you,
our living and loving God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Offering Prayer: Proper 28A


Here’s a prayer for the offering based on Matthew 25: 14-30, the parable of the talents.  It’s the gospel reading for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A).

Offering Prayer
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

Thank you, Lord,
for all the gifts you have entrusted to us.
Help us to remember
that all we have comes from you
and is to be used to serve you.
Make us faithful and trustworthy servants,
always ready for your return.
Amen.


— from Sunday by Sunday, on the Lutheran Church of Australia website.

Children's Drama: Matthew 25: 14-30

Carolyn Brown, on her excellent Worshipping with Children website, suggests the following approach to the reading of Matthew 25: 14-30 (the gospel text for November 13, 2011—Proper 28A).

She writes: “All the coming and going in this parable makes it ideal for younger children to act out during worship.  You need a minimum of four children, but can add others as the family of the master/mistress.  They will need to rehearse before worship with the reader. Costumes as simple as head scarves and head ties are grand additions for both the actors and the watching congregation.”

Setting the stage:
Draw “$$$$” in green marker on 15 brown paper lunch sacks.  Pile 8 of them in one stack to one side for the master to give the servants.  Pile 5 in a second pile and 2 in a third pile.  (These could be in place at the beginning of worship or the reader could take the role of the stage manager putting props in place, briefly explaining what is in each bag, and introducing the actors before going to the lectern to read the story.)

The action:
The master or mistress or master’s family stands by the big pile with the servants in a line before him/her/them as verses 14-15 are read.  He/she/they give the bags to the servants, then move to the edge of the stage.

The first servant takes his/her bags to the pile of 5, adds them, stands behind the pile folding arms across chest and smiling broadly.  (verse 16)

The second adds the two talents to the pile of two and strikes the same happy pose.  (verse 17)

The third sneaks that bag off to one side, covers it with a square of brown cloth or an inverted flower pot, sits in front of it as if to hide it, folds arms over chest with a frown on his/her face.  (verse 18)

When the master/mistress/family returns…

He/she/they go to the first servant, put hands on hips and look at the servant for an explanation (verse 19).  The servant waves one hand over the big pile of bags with a smile.  The master/mistress/family shake the servant’s hand (verses 20-21). 

The process repeats with the second servant (verses 22-23). 

When the master/mistress/family comes to the third servant, that servant does not even stand, but sits scowling as verses 24-27 are read.  The master/mistress then takes the one bag (maybe dusting it off) from the third servant and gives it to the first servant (verse 28-29), then shoos the third servant off the stage (verse 30) and stands between the two servants a hand on each one’s shoulder smiling broadly.

— Carolyn Brown, on her site Worshiping with Children.

Confession: Parable of the Talents

Here’s a prayer of confession based on Matthew 25: 14-30, the gospel reading suggested for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A). It was written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild and posted on his Kir-shalom website. 

Prayer of Confession
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

Lord God, we confess to you our sin: those things which have
hurt others and which have offended thee.

Forgive us for not investing your gifts wisely.  We have been
negligent with the time and energy you give us - often
spending it all on ourselves while others have had to do more
than their share of helping and caring.

............... (silent prayer) ...............

We confess, O Lord, that through fear, greed, or ignorance,
we have not always used in a faithful and responsible manner
the wealth you give us.

Forgive us for being satisfied with sharing so little with
those who are in need, while spending so much, not only on
our needs, but also on our desires.

............... (silent prayer) ...............

We confess, O Lord, that we are prone to forget the purpose
behind what you do for us.   We forget that you judge us by
what we do with your gifts.

Forgive us for when we have buried the talents and failed to
work with all the things you give us.

Gracious God - forgive us.

Touch us and make us whole.  Amen

— copyright © Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, and posted on his Kir-Shalom website. Visit his site for other good lectionary-based worship resources and sermons.

Prayer: Love in Action

Your love, O God,
is an active love:
engaged,
involved,
immersed.

Your love, O God,
is seen in what you do, not just in what you say:
in the blessing of children,
in the meals with outcasts,
in the touching of the untouchable,
in your presence,
and your self-giving,
in your opening of the way to life
to all who will come;

And your love, O God,
is expressed through people like us:
as we share our wealth in simplicity and generosity;
as we share wholeness in care and healing
of the sick and broken;
as we share hospitality by being truly present
to the lonely, the imprisoned and the marginalised;
as we share peace in kindness, listening and acceptance
with those who challenge us, confront us and threaten us.

As you have loved us in incarnate action, O God,
may we learn to be little incarnations
through whom your love is expressed and experienced
in action.

Amen.

— Written by John van de Laar, and posted on his excellent website, Sacredise.com.  Visit his site for other good lectionary-based prayers and worship resources.

Prayer of Confession: Proper 28A

Here’s an act of confession based on the suggested scripture texts for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).  It was written by Thom Shuman and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website. 

Call to Reconciliation
When we remember all the mistakes we have made, all the careless words we have spoken, all the contempt we have given to those around us, we have trouble looking God in the eye. But God gazes at us with mercy and love, waiting to forgive us, even as we hesitate to speak of the brokenness of our hearts.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Again we must confess, Master of the Universe,
our struggles to be faithful disciples.
Entrusted with all your gifts,
we become fearful once again of misusing them,
missing the chance to be a blessing to others.
Invited to dance in the light of your love,
we stand against the wall once again,
keeping company with our old friend, sin.
Called to be emptied for those who struggle in life,
we fill ourselves once again, with scorn
for the poor choices they make.

Have mercy, Journeying God, have mercy on us.
Once again, open our eyes to your kingdom in our midst, so we might discover that your day of hope and grace has already come in Jesus Christ, our Lord and

Savior.Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
This is the good news: God intends for us to find life, to embrace hope, to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Servant.
The end of our journey is not rejection and emptiness, but the fullness of grace and hope in our God. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.

— written by Thom Shuman, and posted on his excellent Lectionary Liturgies website. Visit that site for other great lectionary-based worship resources for this and other Sundays.

For more worship resources related to the texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other resources related to confession, click on Confession or words of assurance in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page, or see this Confession & Assurance index.

Prayer of Confession: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here’s a prayer of confession based on Matthew 25: 14-30, the Parable of the Talents. It was written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on her Liturgies Online website.

Introduction to Prayer of Confession:
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had been entrusted with spreading the Word of God but Jesus criticises them for neglecting to share this special gift fully with the people.  Much has been entrusted to us - especially the good news of the Word made flesh - Jesus Christ.   The more industrious we are in sharing this good news with others, the more opportunity there is for faith to increase in the lives of those who hear and respond to our witness.

Let us pray: 
Merciful God, forgive us when we invest our energies into increasing our personal prosperity rather than enriching people’s lives with the good news of Jesus Christ and when we squander our gifts by failing to use them to build people up.

Forgive us when we conceal the wideness of your mercy by our lack of compassionate behaviour.

Forgive us when we fail to be adventurous in spreading the gospel around. Increase our capacity to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed even if this means taking risks and expending whatever energy we may have.

Help us to hear Jesus’ words addressed to us about being eager to share the spiritual treasure that we have, knowing that as we do, more, much more, will  be given.   This we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness:
“God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...” (1 Thess. 5:9-11) in the knowledge that in Jesus Christ we are enriched, we are loved, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God!

— Copyright © Moira Laidlaw, posted on her Liturgies Online website. Visit that site for other great lectionary-based resources. 

For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other resources related to confession, click on Confession or words of assurance in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page, or see this Confession & Assurance index.

Call to Worship: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here’s a call to worship based on Matthew 25: 14-30, the suggested gospel reading for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).  It was written by Nancy C. Townley, and posted on the Ministry Matters website. 

Call to Worship
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

The time for harvest is close at hand.
What have you done with the gifts God has given you?
We have brought our gifts to the house of the Lord.
Praise God for the gifts and for opportunities for service that they represent.
We praise God for all the ways in which our lives have been blessed.
Generous God, accept our gifts and our lives this day.
Loving God, accept our praise and gratitude. AMEN.

— written by Nancy C. Townley, and posted on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website. Visit there for other great suggestions for worship on November 13, 2011.

Benediction: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here’s a closing benediction based on Matthew 25: 14-30, the gospel reading for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).  It was written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild and posted on his Kir-Shalom website.  

Benediction
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

Go in peace; love and care for one another in Christ's name,
   and may God bless you with every gift needful for His work,
   may the Spirit grant you the willingness to risk yourself
      completely for the sake of the gospel,
   and may the love and the compassion and the hope and the faith
      of Jesus dwell richly within you till the time of his coming.
         both now and forevermore.  Amen

— copyright © Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, and posted on his Kir-Shalom website. Visit his site for other good lectionary-based worship resources and sermons.

For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other benedictions, click on Benedictions in the list of “Labels” at the right, or see this Benediction index. 


Blessing: Matthew 25: 14-30

Here are some parting words of blessing based on Matthew 25: 14-30, one of the suggested readings for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A).  Revised slightly, they could also be used as an invitation to the offering.

Blessing
(based on Matthew 25: 14-30)

Our life with all that we are and have
is not ours to possess,
for it is a trust from God.
It is a loan from him,
not to kept safely in a "hole in the ground"
but to work with as best as we can,
each according to his ability.
May almighty God give you the courage
to serve him and people
with all that is in you, and may he bless you:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ
and be his good and faithful servants.
Thanks be to God.


For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other benedictions, click on Benedictions in the list of “Labels” at the right, or see this Benediction index. 


Prayer after Communion: 1 Thess. 5: 1-11

Here’s a prayer following communion based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11, one of the suggested scripture readings for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A). 

Prayer after Communion
(based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11)

Lord Jesus Christ,
as we have proclaimed your death
by eating this bread and drinking this cup,
help us to wait for you,
to wish for you,
and to watch for you,
so that when you come again
you will find us ready.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

— from Sunday by Sunday, on the Lutheran Church of Australia website. 

For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.


Prayer of Thanksgiving: Proper 28A

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A, Ordinary 33A) written by Nathan Nettleton and posted on his Laughingbird.net website.

Prayer of Thanksgiving
(based on Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11, Matthew 25: 14-30)

We give you all thanks and praise, O God,
for you have destined us for salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

You created the earth
and entrusted it into our hands.
You called a people to be your own,
and when they were cruelly oppressed
you raised up your prophet, Deborah,
and spoke through her of the day of deliverance.

You have spoken to us through your child, Jesus,
teaching us to look to you and trust in your kindness,
and to be faithful stewards of your gifts.
He was scorned and mocked
and died for us, but was raised by you.
You have promised a day of judgment and deliverance,
when Christ will come
as unexpectedly as a thief in the night,
to reveal the children of light
and gather all who have been trustworthy
with what you have given
into his kingdom of joy.

Therefore, with our hearts lifted high,
we offer you thanks and praise at all times
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

© 2002 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net
For more worship resources related to the texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.


Offering Prayer: Faith

Here’s an invitation to the offering and prayer of dedication which would work well with Matthew 25: 14-30 (the parable of the talents), one of the suggested scripture readings for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A).  It was written by Carol Penner, and posted on her Leading in Worship blog. 

Faith Offering Prayer


Before the offering:

We don’t always know how much money we have,
or how much we will need;
in precarious economic times we are tempted
to hoard our money for ourselves.
In this offering we have the opportunity to show our faith,
that our God will supply all our needs.

After the offering:
We walk by faith,
we live by faith,
we give by faith.
God of great gifts,
you have given us so much,
accept these gifts from our hands,
our faithful response to your abundant grace.  Amen.

— Carol Penner, Leading in Worship

For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other offering prayers, click on Offering in the list of “Labels” at the right.  For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.


Call to Worship: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11

Here’s a call to worship based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11, one of the suggested texts for November 13, 2011 (Proper 28A). It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Call to Worship
(based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11)

We come before God not fearfully but adoringly,
we worship not as a slavish duty but with delight.
God has not marked us for punishment
bit for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lift up your eyes beyond anxieties and ills
to God whose glory exceeds the starry skies,
building each other up in faith and joy.

— written by Bruce Prewer, on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage.  

For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for November 13, 2011 (the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 28A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For more calls to worship, click on Calls to worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see this Call to Worship index 


Prayer for Others: November 6, 2011

 
Here’s a prayer of intercession written by Bruce Prewer.

For other suggested prayers of intercession suitable for use on November 6 (or other occasions), see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index, or see these other blog posts. 


Prayer of Intercession

We pray for the people around us in this world, and then for ourselves.

Holy Friend, in theory we know you love each one of us. Teach our hearts how much you really do love every other sinner on this planet; not just the believers but also the unbelievers, not just good folk but also the very bad.

Receive our prayers for the many kindly people we meet each week: At work and in the street, at sport and at the theatre, in service organisations, committees, and agencies that fight for the rights of the needy and exploited.
Bless them with the love they need,
and deliver us all from evil.

Receive our prayers for the many awkward people we meet: The painfully shy, the prickly characters, those who are always complaining, the quick tempered and those who don’t seem to be aware when their words and actions hurt others.
Bless them with the love they need,
and deliver us all from evil.

Receive our prayers for the people we thoroughly dislike: The manipulators who try to use us, the loud-mouthed whose language disgusts us, the greedy who are out to cheat us, the strong who try to bully us, the cruel whose deeds horrify us, and the “low-life” whose life-style revolts us.
Bless them with the love they need,
and deliver us all from evil.

Receive our prayers for the people who are easy to like and love: The generous ones, the folk who keep their good humour when under pressure, those who volunteer for the difficult tasks, those who bear no grudges and all who maintain integrity when others are being devious.
Bless them with the love they need,
and deliver us all from evil.

Receive our prayers for those who dislike us: One-time friends who turn against us, folk at work who make things unpleasant, relatives who try to put us down, neighbours who make a nuisance of themselves, and those types who go out of their way to ridicule Christians.
Bless them with the love they need,
and deliver us all from evil.

Receive our prayers for all who are miserable today: Any who suffer from depression or acute anxiety, any who have just received bad news about their health, people who have been spurned by a loved one, the many who are hungry or homeless, those imprisoned for crimes they did not commit, the drug addicts who can’t break free, the dying and the grieving who have no one to comfort them.
Bless them with the love they need,
and deliver us all from evil.

Holy Friend, please may the hands of Christ be upon of all these people, and on the millions whose misery is far beyond our knowledge. Lead this world away from all that is maimed and maiming, from all that is degraded and degrading. Hasten the day when we shall walk in the Promised Land where Christ’s love and joy is everywhere. In his name and for your glory.  Amen!

— written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s HomepageVisit his site for other wonderful lectionary-based worship resources.

For more worship resources for November 6, 2011 (the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 27A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.