A PRAYER FOR THE 21st SUNDAY AFTER Pentecost
Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus[a] was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers[b] approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’[c] feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
We are always begging, Lord Jesus
Begging to be healed
Begging to be cleansed
Begging to be forgiven
Begging to be loved
We live with hurt and pains
illnesses and surgeries
going for this treatment
and that procedure
We beg to be healed
Free of pain and distress
Healthy and whole
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
We live with addictions
cravings for pleasure
becoming enslaved
to bottle and poll
We beg to be cured
Freed from their control
Cleansed in body and soul
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
We live sinfully and selfishly
guilty of the many wrongs we do
the angry and hurtful word we utter
our own unforgiving nature
We beg to be forgiven
Pardoned to live freely
Forgiven and forgivers
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
We try so hard to be liked
Accepted by peers and colleagues
Admired and applauded
for our life and accomplishments
We beg to be loved
Cherished for who you created us to be
Precious in your sight
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Heal us
Cleanse us
Forgive us
Love us
Amen
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