Sundays after Easter
Prayer
Pastoral Prayers For All Seasons
Object:
Dear Lord, as you know, we respond in very different ways to rain. When it fails to appear over a long period of time, we watch in frustration as our lawns turn brown, our gardens stop growing, and our exposed soil rises in clouds of dust.
Then when the rains come we are so grateful. After a long cool drink, we can scarcely wait for the sun and the heat to return that we might see greener lawns and more productive gardens.
But when the rains stay too long, when the temperature drops, when the air is muggy, when stored items begin to show mildew and the earth squishes beneath our feet -- then we become frustrated again. We lament postponed picnics, concerts, sports activities, and we fret because we can't mow our lawns.
God, Father of our Savior, you also know that we respond to you in very different ways. When your love comes knocking at our door, how delighted we are to let you in. You restore us to joy, place our feet on solid ground, and cancel out the guilt of sin that looms above our heads.
Sometimes we try to hide from your presence. We grouse because you ask for excellence when we would just as soon muddle along. We're fearful that you will punish us for our sin, cause us to follow a narrow path, and set us to tasks that we don't want to undertake.
This brings us to the moment of saying no to ourselves and yes to you. This is a very difficult choice. Our future will be imprisoned or set free by the decision we make. The quality of our lives is challenged. The words "yes" or "no" come with agony to our lips. O Lord, grant us the courage to clasp you to our hearts. Help us to move past the temptation of living only for ourselves. May the bravery of saying "yes" to you, bring us to a certain triumph and a redemptive joy in our tomorrows.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Then when the rains come we are so grateful. After a long cool drink, we can scarcely wait for the sun and the heat to return that we might see greener lawns and more productive gardens.
But when the rains stay too long, when the temperature drops, when the air is muggy, when stored items begin to show mildew and the earth squishes beneath our feet -- then we become frustrated again. We lament postponed picnics, concerts, sports activities, and we fret because we can't mow our lawns.
God, Father of our Savior, you also know that we respond to you in very different ways. When your love comes knocking at our door, how delighted we are to let you in. You restore us to joy, place our feet on solid ground, and cancel out the guilt of sin that looms above our heads.
Sometimes we try to hide from your presence. We grouse because you ask for excellence when we would just as soon muddle along. We're fearful that you will punish us for our sin, cause us to follow a narrow path, and set us to tasks that we don't want to undertake.
This brings us to the moment of saying no to ourselves and yes to you. This is a very difficult choice. Our future will be imprisoned or set free by the decision we make. The quality of our lives is challenged. The words "yes" or "no" come with agony to our lips. O Lord, grant us the courage to clasp you to our hearts. Help us to move past the temptation of living only for ourselves. May the bravery of saying "yes" to you, bring us to a certain triumph and a redemptive joy in our tomorrows.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
