Tomorrow's Offering

The cold/flu bug is beginning to break and I am THANKFUL. I can actually breathe without hearing snap, crackle, and pop in my lungs.

Tomorrow's sermon still needs work, but will focus on Peter, Andrew, James, and John and their response to Jesus. Their lives were changed in amazing ways because they responded to his call.

Anyway, here is tomorrow's prayer.

Prayers of the Church for Grandview
January 27, 2008

Timeless God, living in darkness, we have seen a great light; living in the land of the shadow of death your light has dawned. Your kingdom rises like the sun. We see your light refracted through the lives of saints who have bent their purposes to yours; who have dismantled their vain idols and offered you the throne of their hearts.

Your kingdom rises on the harmonies and melodies of songs offered to you, upon prayers uttered from the depths of our souls, upon greetings exchanged in your name, and upon every act of worship by your people.

Your kingdom rises in the healing of the sick, the comfort of the grieving, the hope of the downtrodden, the freeing of the captive. Let your kingdom come in the lives of those on our prayer list this morning. Let them experience your power in magnificent ways.

Your kingdom rises when, by the power of your Spirit, we finally offer ourselves to you; releasing to you our hopes, visions, dreams, and every last corpuscle of our being. Forgive us when we cling to our idols, be they worthless idols or idols of great value. What difference should their value make when we stand in your presence? Forgive us when we work so hard and keep so busy that we don’t hear your voice.

Help our minds to grow quiet and to focus upon you in the silence.

(silence)

Please continue to bless Grandview. You have gathered many gifts into this room. Help us to use them for you. You have gathered many people into this room, some are lonely, some are exhausted from the pace of life, some are struggling with the same sin day after day yearning to experience the freedom that only you can give. Some are filled with peace, experiencing times of great joy and health. Lord, out of our various difficulties and circumstances, make us into at least a ray of that bright and shining light that is your kingdom.

We don’t just pray that you would bless us. We humbly ask you to bless all bodies of believers who call upon your name. Give them great joy in your service. Bless all the churches who are gathering this morning in this city, on this continent, and around the world.

Lastly, we don’t just pray that you would bless those who call upon your name. By the power of your Spirit and by our trust in your ability to work your will upon earth, we pray that you would bless our enemies.

With one voice, O God, we pray as you have taught us: