Sunday, August 25, 2013


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








(no title)

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

Monday, August 12, 2013

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