What Does It Mean To Pray?

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

God of justice and mercy, you have never abandoned us. We thank you for loving us even when we have failed to love you or one another. Put your persistent Spirit within us so that we may work tirelessly, until your will is done across all of creation. We seek your wisdom, yearn for your justice, and abide in your blessing, for our sake and the sake of creation. Amen.

Eternal God, you remain patient with us even as we struggle not to judge one another.

We thank you for all who have taught us the faith and all who teach us still, this faith that is a firm foundation for our lives together. We pray that you will continue to guide and bless the church in yet another time of change and reformation. Help us to trust in you so strongly that we are willing to take risks for the story of your love, even if, in risking, we grow uncomfortable or afraid of uncertainty and newness. Keep us moving in concert with the Holy Spirit. Give your church wisdom to discern sound teaching. Never let us be satisfied with easy answers that do not follow your way.

We bring to you the concerns and cares of the world around us. Especially, we pray for those who long for justice and freedom, safety and sustenance.

We pray for those who work to overturn laws that oppress, and those who work to restrain military might that threatens human dignity.

We pray for people being caught in unjust systems; those being denied education and healthcare; victims of human trafficking; exiles who wander, lonely for home.

We pray for all who live daily with food insecurity, and income insecurity, and peace insecurity. We pray fervently for an end to war and violence among us.

We pray for an end to hunger and for an increase in generosity as we share the world’s resources.

We pray for all who are in harm’s way today, whether the threat is from natural disaster or a disaster of our own contriving.

We bring you the cares and joys of our lives. We rejoice with those among us who celebrate a time of newness and renewal; for a new addition to the family; for a new relationship bringing a sense of happiness and fun; for meaningful work to do and good colleagues; for new members and visitors among us who bring energy, and ideas, and faith stories that enrich our life together; for healing and hope after a difficult time.

We pray too for those in the midst of struggle and pain; those who are contending with illness; ones in need of the comfort and peace that only you can provide, O God. We pray for those living with the anxiety of loss — whether that loss is income, or memory, or stability of home or friendship. Heal us of our diseases; strengthen us in our frailties; and empower us for change.

We do not cry out in desperation, but in hope; for you are with us in all circumstances and you reveal your love for us when we call upon you. Amen.

Speak to us by the power of your Holy Spirit and equip us to be agents of your life-altering, world-changing, blessing-filled love. Through the Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³ In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸ I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

If we think of ourselves as the widow in this parable, then few of us have her stamina in the hard exhausting work of seeking justice on behalf of the powerless. Perhaps this is the reason Jesus asks the closing question of the parable. … when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Will he find faith in us — persistent, tireless faith seeking justice? Where are you working toward justice in the world around us? What more might you do to bring God’s justice to the margins of our society?

(playing his own original song combined with the classic hymn)

My siblings, our ministry is most fully carried out when our hearts are full — full of love, justice, and generosity in sharing what we have with others. Equipped for every good work, we now present ourselves and our offerings before God.

Eternal God, may these gifts be signs of your grace, and may our lives show forth the coming kin-dom. Amen.

May the Love of God dwell in your heart; may the grace of Christ uphold your strength; may the Holy Spirit equip you for the work of justice that is yours to do. And may the love of God, the way of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit sustain us until we meet again. Amen.