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

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.

<silent 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…”

God Loves Us (Mark 12:28-34)

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…”