A Prayer for the Second Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 10

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

But say the word, and my servant will be healed

We don't know how to act, Jesus

We're not sure we deserve your grace

We try to do our best

We strive to make it on our own

run our businesses

take charge of our lives

raise our families to be winners

better, stronger, smarter, richer

You come, Jesus, and turn us upside down

by your gift of grace

reminding us that not by our efforts

or successes or achievements

but through your grace that we have life

and life abundantly

But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

We don't know how to act, Jesus

We're not sure we deserve your forgiveness

We make so many mistakes

mess so many things up

we confess that we fail to do our part

in healing the world's pain

too often focusing on our own hurts

remaining selfish and greedy

You come, Jesus, and turn us upside down

by your acts of forgiveness

You take away our sins and debts and trespasses

and wipe our blemishes

giving us a life free to live

and live abundant

But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

We don't know how to act, Jesus

We're not sure we deserve your love

We really don' know how to love

love others or love ourselves

We know how to use and abuse

manipulate people for our rewards

We build walls to hide behind

letting no one and nothing

You come, Jesus, and turn everything upside down

You love us unconditionally

wrapping your arms around us

instilling your Spirit with us

freeing us to live life to the fullest

and live it abundantly

Thank you, Lord Jesus

Thank you for your grace

Thank you for your forgiveness

Thank you for your love

Amen