Confession: 1 Kings 19

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by 1 Kings 19.  It was written by Dr. Tom Cheatham.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by 1 Kings 19)

O God, sometimes the journey is too much;

we can’t go on, and we complain that we are all alone.

Nobody cares, not even you.

Our strength is gone, and we are ready to give up.

In those times,

when we are consumed with self-pity

and convinced there is no hope,

send your Spirit into our hearts to remind us of your sustaining grace.

Strengthen us at your Table and by the daily claiming of our baptism,

so we may go confidently on our journeys,

carrying out the mission you have given us.

Through Christ we pray. Amen. 

~ written by Dr. Tom Cheatham, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  He blogs at The Connection blog. http://theconnection08.wordpress.com/

Prayer Reflection: 2 Kings 5: 1-14

Here’s a prayer reflection inspired by 2 Kings 5: 1-14, where the prophet Elisha heals Naaman of leprosy.  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Prayer Reflection: Naaman’s Story

(inspired by 2 Kings 5: 1-14)

a little girl

an army commander

a religious zealot

for one brief moment

difference suspended

doubt superseded

ordinary water

simple ritual

extraordinary presence

May we have the courage of the child

to reach out to even the powerful.

May we have the wisdom of Namaan

to ask for help when we are lost.

May we have the faithfulness of Elisha

to love outside the lines. 

~ written by Katherine Hawker, 2003. Posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/

Prayer of Confession: Proper 9 C

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 9 C (the 7^th Sunday after Pentecost).  It was written by Rev. Heather A. Moody.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 10:1-20, Galatians 6:1-16, and 2 Kings 5:1-14)

O God, we know that Jesus sent out his disciples

without purse, luggage, or sandals. 

All too often, we find ourselves clinging to possessions we don’t need,

looking for safety by avoiding risk,

and bearing heavy burdens that slow us down. 

Forgive us for our reluctance to travel lightly and heal us of our pain and guilt.

Forgive us and heal us, O God.

Holy One, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Galatians not to grow weary,

but to use every opportunity to work for the good of all. 

And yet, hectic schedules, competing demands, cynicism, and doubt

erode our commitment and leave us feeling burned out. 

Forgive us for any hollow excuses we are tempted to make

and heal us of our exhaustion.

Forgive us and heal us, O God.

O God, we confess that, like the warrior Naaman,

we sometimes think you only perform great complicated acts

in flashy and dramatic ways. 

We then fail to see how you are at work

in the simple tasks and ordinary experiences of everyday life. 

Forgive us for our misunderstanding and heal us of our sightlessness.

Forgive us and heal us, O God.

Silent Prayer

Assurance of Pardon

There is no pain that God cannot heal. 

There is no wrong that God cannot forgive. 

Come, immerse yourselves in the healing waters of God’s forgiveness. 

Come and be restored.  Let God make you whole.

Thanks be to God!  Amen.

~ from A Harvest of Joy, Healing, and Peace: Service Prayers for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost was written by Rev. Heather A. Moody. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Readers' Theatre: Galatians 6: 1-16

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Galatians 6: 1-16.  It is set for two voices.

Readers’ Theatre: Galatians 6: 1-16

One:     Dear brothers and sisters,

if another believer is overcome by some sin,

you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person

back onto the right path.

Two:     And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 

One      Share each other’s burdens,

and in this way obey the law of Christ. 

Two:     If you think you are too important to help someone,

you are only fooling yourself.

One:     You are not that important.

Two:     Pay careful attention to your own work,

for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done,

and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

One;     For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Two:     Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers,

sharing all good things with them.

One:     Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God.

You will always harvest what you plant. 

Two:     Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature

will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.

One:     But those who live to please the Spirit

will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 

Two:     So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing

if we don’t give up. 

One:     Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity,

we should do good to everyone—

Two:     especially to those in the family of faith.

One:     Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised

want to look good to others.

They don’t want to be persecuted

for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 

Two:     And even those who advocate circumcision

don’t keep the whole law themselves.

They only want you to be circumcised

so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

One:     As for me,

may I never boast about anything

except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Two:     Because of that cross,

my interest in this world has been crucified,

and the world’s interest in me has also died. 

One:     It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not.

What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 

Two:     May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle;

            they are the new people of God.

Prayer: Not Losing Heart

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Galatians 6:9.  It comes from the Reformed Worship website.

Prayer

(inspired by Galatians 6: 9)

“Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.” Galatians 6: 9

Teach us to pray always and not to lose heart.
We pray for the millions of children who are living in poverty.
We pray that they may receive the basic necessities of life.
We pray for orphans and children alone and lonely.
Give them comfort and love.

We pray for men and women
whose hard labor is without reward or joy.
We pray for women
who bear the greatest burden for their families,
who face the greatest obstacles to freedom.
We pray for their support and encouragement.

We pray for those in positions of power and leadership.
We pray for compassion, wisdom, justice, and mercy.
We pray for community development workers,

for educators, bureaucrats, administrators, social workers,
deacons, preachers, and health workers.

We pray that you will establish the work of our hands. 

~ from Promise and Pain: Service for World Hunger, posted on Reformed Worship. http://www.reformedworship.org/