Faith – Page 4 – Uniquely Cherished

Why Is Life Unfair? (Mark 10:46-52)

December 26, 2015December 29, 2015cmkenlinLeave a comment

As we look at the world around us,
we see much disparity.
Why do some have so much and others so little?
Why are some who practice bad habits, healthy and strong,
while innocent children face illness and pain?
Why does the drunk driver kill someone else other than himself?

Remind us that you are always with us,
but also remind us that our reality is not a litmus test of our faith.
A strong faith does not guarantee us a world full of riches and rainbows,
but our faith will help us get through those dark and lonely nights.
Our faith will help us get through the news that a loved one has cancer,
that a job has been lost, or that our child has made a bad choice.
It is our faith that has brought us to this place, to this community,
to this sacred place.
Our community of believers stand with each other,
supporting one another in times of need,
celebrating our special occasions and individual achievements,
lifting up those who need support,
healing those who are in pain,
and grieving with those who mourn.
That is what you have taught us,
that we are your children,
that we are to be your church.

We follow you, Father, and try to walk in the way of your Son.
He shared your love with us and
we know that we need to share our love with others.
Part of that love is to care for those among us
who have less than they need, for whatever reason.
Open our eyes to the need around us.
Open our ears to the call of those like Bartimaeus who
cry out for assistance.
Open our hearts to your plan, to your desires.
We ask that you use us, that you help us experience your call.
Help us to stand up, to throw off our cloak, and to follow you.

We follow you, Father, and we know that you are with us always.
Your Spirit moves among us, silently urging us in ways we don’t understand
and may never realize.
You are with us, and we ask that you especially be with ___.
Help us to realize that our only privilege in this world is that we are your people.
We are loved by you; we are your children.
While we will always face challenges in our lives, we know that you are always with us.

As Bartimaeus cried out to you, we also cry out to you and we know that we are loved
and that you hear our cries.
As your children, we raise our voices using the words your Son taught us,
“Our Father..”

We Are Loved (Mark 12:28-34)

December 25, 2015December 29, 2015cmkenlinLeave a comment

We believe that you love us, Creator God.
Help us to really and truly understand that love.
Fill us, from head to toe,
with the overwhelming and awe-inspiring knowledge
of that love.
Open our hearts to the truth of that love.
Tear down the barriers we place between ourselves and you.
As a tidal wave washes everything away in its path,
let us see the waves of your love crash
against the walls we have built with fear,
against the gates we have locked with self-doubt, and
against the obstacles we have created with pain.

Let us see that we are enough.
We are good enough.
We are your children.

Believing does not always mean knowing and understanding.
If we truly knew and understood your love,
how would our lives change?

If we truly knew and understood your love,
would we have less fear in our life?

If we truly knew and understood your love,
would we treat each other differently?

If we truly knew and understood your love,
would we prioritize our time in different ways?

If we truly knew and understood your love,
would we chase different dreams?

You love us completely and unconditionally.
You formed us in your image and yet, as humans, we are flawed.
But you love us anyway.
You love us and we should be dancing in the streets with that news.
But we confess sometimes we barely move,
even here in the pews with our fellow believers.
Fill us, from head to toe,
with the overwhelming and awe-inspiring knowledge of your love.
Open our eyes to ways that we can share that love with others.
Show us how to trigger the excitement of your news within ourselves,
and then with others.
Use us as your hands in this world and
give us the strength to make this world, your world.
As we support one another, we ask that you especially be with __ at this time.

We believe that you love us, Creator God.
We ask that you help us to really and truly understand that love.
As a symbol of your love, you sent to us your Son.
He taught us the words we use today,
Our Father…”
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The Lord’s Promise (Hebrews 10:11-25)

December 25, 2015December 29, 2015cmkenlinLeave a comment

We know we can count on your promises, Lord.
Your promises and your teachings bring us here each week
and we keep you in our hearts every hour of every day.
You came to us and shared our humanness
and in doing so, you have given us direct access
to our Father, to You and to the Holy Spirit.

Fill our hearts with the truth of the assurance of faith.
Help us to hold onto the confession of our hope.
For we know that you are with us always,
when we are alone and
when we are with other people.
We know that you are with us
in our celebrations
and in our trials.
As your people, we come together in this holy place.
We come together to learn your teachings.
We come together to support one another and
to build a community of believers.
Help us to encourage one another.
Help us to show love to one another.
Help us to be your people.

We know we can count on your promises, Lord.
As your community of believers,
we come to you with open hearts and open minds.
We ask that you be with those among us who need
you the most. We name ___.
As we move through our lives,
we celebrate our relationships with one another,
we celebrate our relationship with you.
We know that you are with us and we ask for your guidance.
Help us to fulfill your plan here on earth.

We know that we can count on your promises, Lord.
We use the words that you taught us,
“Our Father…”

For God, All Things Are Possible (Mark 10:17-31)

November 20, 2015December 29, 2015cmkenlin1 Comment

For God, all things are possible.
For us, God, we know it is a little more difficult.
We focus on the wrong things.
We may cling to our status
and our possessions a little too tightly.
We try to be right all the time,
even if we’re not.

For God, all things are possible.
For us, God, we still have questions and doubts.
Remind us that the disciples also had questions and doubts.
We come together as your people,
welcoming new members and guests.
We are your community, your followers in this age.
Help us to see how our gifts and treasures can best be used
to make your teachings take life in this age.
Remind us that our bank balances do not define our true worth,
nor do dirty and unwashed clothes diminish the beauty
of the teenage runaway in the homeless shelter.
Remind us what the victims of fire, flood and earthquakes say,
when they are reunited with their loved ones.
They thank you, God, and say,
It doesn’t matter about the house, our things,
it only matters that we are safe and that we are together.
We know where our priorities should lie, but sometimes we forget.

For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, open our hearts to your call.
For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, open our eyes to the needs you see among us.
For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, use our hands to make this world your world.
For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, fill us with new ideas and new possibilities on
how to share your message with others.
For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, make us generous with our treasures and with
our compassion.
For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, to hear in our silence, what is most important to
us at this moment.

For God, all things are possible.
So we ask you, God, to share your grace and your healing touch with
those among us who need your support.
We name ___

In God, and in our community of believers,
we know that all things are possible.
We use the words that your Son taught us,
“Our Father…”