A PRAYER FOR THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER  PENTECOST 

Luke 16:19-25

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.[b] 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 

We have so much O God

Too much

but never it seems enough

We buy and buy and buy

Collect and select

Every new thing

Every new gadget

Every new toy

We build mansions and fortresses

to keep it and store it all

admire and worship it

Glad for what we have

but always wanting more

We build fenced in yards 

and gated communities

to keep the riff raft out

and our things safe

from robbers and thieves 

We don't see

or pretend not to see

all those who have not

have nothing

No home

No bed

No food 

No nothing

We are blinded by fear

arrogance and selfishness 

Not wanting to notice

Not wanting to care

Not wanting to share

O Jesus of the poor

It is you we do not see

It is you we fear

It is you we hide from

O Jesus of the poor

You feed the hungry

You clothe the naked

You heal the sick

You raise the dead

O Jesus of the poor

Help us to see you

Help us to see them

Help us to minister to them

O Jesus of the poor 

Forgive us

Stir us

Embolden us

and send us forth 

To feed

To clothe

To heal 

to raise

Amen

A PRAYER FOR THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

Psalm 79

9 Help us, O God of our salvation,

    for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and forgive our sins,

    for your name’s sake.

10 Why should the nations say,

    “Where is their God?”

Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants

    be known among the nations before our eyes.

11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;

    according to your great power preserve those doomed to die.

12 Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbors

    the taunts with which they taunted you, O Lord!

13 Then we your people, the flock of your pasture,

    will give thanks to you forever;

    from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Every way we turn

violence reigns

creating an atlas of

death and destruction 

Damascus

Baghdad 

Kabul 

Aurora

Sandy Hook

Hear us O God

We cry unto you 

for the killing to end

and wars to cease

Nation turns against nation

Tribe attacks tribe

Neighbor wreaks vengeance 

upon neighbor

Conquering for hatred

fighting for greed

marching for land

reclaiming what we had

and what we want

Hear us O God

We cry unto you 

for the killing to end

and wars to cease

We desire to make

the things that make for peace

turning our plowshares 

and our swords into pruning forks

We want to care and nurture

for those who have bourn 

the burden of violence

The widow and the orphan

the soldier and civilian

Hear us O God

We cry unto you 

for the killing to end

and wars to cease

Lord Jesus 

Gentle Shepherd

Lead us away from

hatred and violence

into green pastures

Lord Jesus

Prince of Peace

Lead us in paths

of righteousness

beside the still waters

Lord Jesus

Giver of Salvation

Forgive us our sins

and teach us to forgive

those who sin against us

Lord Jesus

Lord of all creation

bind us together 

and make us

sisters and brothers

now and forevermore 

Amen

A PRAYER FOR THE 15th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

Jeremiah 2:4-13

4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord:

What wrong did your ancestors find in me

    that they went far from me,

and went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves?

6 They did not say, “Where is the Lord

    who brought us up from the land of Egypt,

who led us in the wilderness,

    in a land of deserts and pits,

in a land of drought and deep darkness,

    in a land that no one passes through,

    where no one lives?”

11 Has a nation changed its gods,

    even though they are no gods?

But my people have changed their glory

    for something that does not profit.

12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this,

    be shocked, be utterly desolate,

says the Lord,

13 for my people have committed two evils:

    they have forsaken me,

the fountain of living water,

    and dug out cisterns for themselves,

cracked cisterns

    that can hold no water.

Why do we need you, God

Look at what we have done

We came to this New World

tamed the wilderness 

carved out towns and cities

burbs and neighborhoods

Rolled up our selves

got to work

planting and plowing

building and creating our New Eden

Why do we need you, God

Look at what we have done

From Bunker Hill to Gettysburg

from Little Big Horn to Wounded Knee

We fought and defeated

liberated and conquered

Til all the enemies of freedom

and progress

were vanquished and overcome

from the Home of the Brave

and the Land of the Free

Why do we need you, God

Look at what we have done

Now we stand astride the globe

arching above all

countries and civilizations

Colossus of the universe

Our arms and armies

protect and defend us

Our riches are the envy 

of all who look upon us

Why do we need you, God

Look at what we have done

11 Has a nation changed its gods,

    even though they are no gods?

But my people have changed their glory

    for something that does not profit.

Forgive us, God of all nations

bend our pride to your glory

Remind us we are not the owners

but the stewards

of the good Earth

Forgive us, God of all creation

For all that we are

and all that we have

are gifts of your grace

held forever in your hands

Forgive us, God of all peoples

from the genocide we committed

against the Native people of this land

and the enslavement of millions

for our profit and gain

Forgive us, God above all Gods

for we have worshipped the gods

of riches and avarice 

bowed down to gods of might 

coveting swords and spears

Forgive us, God the giver

who sent his Son Jesus

to save and redeem us

who sends the Spirit

to comfort and guide us

Amen

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A PRAYER FOR THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

LUKE 15

17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[d] 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

Are you running to me Jesus?

Maybe you should stop now

I'm not sure I am worth running to

I have made a mess of everything 

My life 

My body

My family

My work 

Everything

Are you running to me Jesus?

Maybe you should slow down

Run to someone else

I have screwed everything up

Been too selfish

Wanting all for me

Working and grabbing and hoarding

Never enough

Wanting every new toy and gadget

Are you running to me Jesus?

Maybe you should stop

Catch your breath

I have a lot to confess

So much I haven't given thanks for

So much I have taken for granted

So much I have thrown away...

wasted... abused

Are you running to me Jesus?

Thank God you are

You always do

You grab me up and hold me

Hold me as I shake from brief and anger

Hold me til the stress and pain subside

Hold me until I feel safe once more

Safe in your arms

Are you running to me Jesus?

You always do

You forgive me before I ask

Cleansing me of all my sins

Cleansing me of my guilt 

Lifting up all my burdens

Lifting me up so I can stand

Are you running to me Jesus?

I'm glad you're here

I'm glad you give me your hand

I'm glad you walk by my side

I'm glad you feed and care for me

Are you running to me Jesus?

Thank God you are!

Amen

A PRAYER FOR THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

A PRAYER FOR THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER  PENTECOST 

Psalm 1

1 Happy are those

    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or take the path that sinners tread,

    or sit in the seat of scoffers;

2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and on his law they meditate day and night.

3 They are like trees

    planted by streams of water,

which yield their fruit in its season,

    and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper.

4 The wicked are not so,

    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked will perish.

We want to be strong trees, Lord

but too often we are like the chaff

We want to do right

be right, live right

We want to make good choices

but often we make poor ones 

We want to be generous

give and share and sacrifice 

Too often we are seduced

by greed and wanting and getting

We want to be strong trees, Lord

but too often we are like the chaff

We want to be kind to our neighbors

friendly to strangers, warm to outcasts

Yet we shrink away in fear

hide from encountering the different 

We want to live in hope 

believe that You, God, are in charge

But we strike out for control

out of fear and pessimism

We want to be strong trees, Lord

but too often we are like the chaff

We want to at peace with all nations

helping and healing in harmony

But we war against the weak

conquering, raping, and rebuilding 

We desire to walk humble upon the earth

appreciating gratefully our time and place

Yet we long to be known and admired

proud, profane, and eternal

We want to be strong trees, Lord

but too often we are like the chaff

Forgive us, God of grace

Plant us like trees

by streams of water

Teach us to choose the right paths

and forsake the wrong

be givers and forgivers

loving and cherishing

every person and race

Forgive us, God of grace

Plant us like trees

by streams of water

Show us the ways of peace

and give us the strength

of humility and quietness

sharing our wealth and bounty

to all who are lonely, forsaken, alone

Forgive us, God of grace

Plant us like trees

by streams of water

Guide our steps in the morning

restore us at the noontime

grant us rest in our night

May our days be to your delight

and our works be to your glory

Amen