Saturday, March 07, 2009

Prayer for Saturday, March 7

March 7, 2009

Day 10 : Trusting the Spirit

Scripture for reflection: John 16:5-16

Prayer: Holy Creating Spirit, Help me to know what a responsible and faithful lifestyle is. The testing times in which we live demand a rethinking of the way that I relate to your world. I need
your wisdom and guidance. I need your courage and your conviction. I need to
be reminded that it’s not all about me. Thank you for showing me a new way.
Thank you for journeying with me, and for the assurance that I, along with all
humanity, am within your care. Amen.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Prayer for Friday, March 6

March 6, 2009

Day 9 : A tempted people

Scripture for reflection: Hebrews 4:14-16

Prayer: God of grace and love, I give you thanks that Jesus was tempted as I am tempted. Help me not to see temptation as a sign of weakness and defeat but as an opportunity for obedience. Gracious God, strengthen me in the times that temptation comes and grant me the assurance of your forgiveness for those times when I have failed you. May the image of Christ grow in me, that I might faithfully live out the life of discipleship. Amen.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Week 2 of Lent: March 8

This is the second Sunday of Lent. We will continue our themes from Lent Event. This week, the theme is "What Does It Mean to Be Christian?". The Scripture is Mark 8.31-38. To get the full impact of the story, read also Mark 8.27-30.

[Quick Bible study tip: Mark 8.31 starts with the word "Then". Then? When? Read the immediately preceding verses to get the context and to understand why the Bible writer felt that one event connected to another. In this case, "then" tells us that Peter and the disciples had just confessed Jesus as the Christ. In this next section, Jesus foretells his death and Peter begins to rebuke him. Can you see how these two events would seem incongruous next to a confession of the deity of Jesus?]

The worship bulletin is here.

Keep up with your Lent Event resolutions!

Prayer for Thursday, March 5

March 5, 2009

Day 8: Prayer for the people of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

Scripture for reflection: Romans 12:3-15

Prayer: From many languages, centuries-old cultures and an enriching gospel, over
forty years ago you loved into being the United Church of Papua New Guinea.
On strung-out islands, coffee growing hills and among overcrowded settlements
there are people who serve you, love their neighbour and steward your creation.
Cast out powers that privilege some and impoverish others; that under-pay
growers, that extract resources without adequate payment; that limit access
to education, health and basic support; and that deepen conflict. We pray for
safe water and good sanitation for all people in Papua New Guinea and around
the world. Sustain those susceptible to nature’s blessing and cruelty amid the
effects of climate change. Open hearts to people whose land is disappearing
and who are forced to relocate. Convert us to live within the limits of creation,
honouring the earth and valuing the water. We thank you that in Christ you
shorten the distance between us and gather us to eat and drink at the same
Lord’s Table, justly and equitably, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Prayer for Wednesday, March 4

March 4, 2009

Day 7 : A Baptised people

Scripture for reflection: Romans 6:1-14

Prayer: God of new life, You have taken your people through the waters of baptism. The old has died and the new has come. I pray that in my life and in the lives of the baptised
around the world, the fruit of the new life would be seen. In the words of Bishop
Desmond Tutu, remind me every day that ‘Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than
death; victory is ours through him who loved us. May the church be constantly
renewed to live out the values of your kingdom’. Amen.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Prayer for Tuesday, March 3

March 3, 2009

Day 6 : Prayer for creation

Scripture for reflection: Romans 8:18-27

Prayer: Saviour Jesus, You came into this world to save all creation. I pray for the strength to stand with you against the environmental abuse of this world. I look to join with others
who seek a more sustainable pattern of living. Encourage me as I seek ways to
walk more lightly on your earth. Holy Spirit, when I am lost for words, intercede
for me with groans that speak of the fragility of this beautiful world. Despite my
weaknesses, help me never to lose hope. Amen.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Lent Event Prayer and Scripture for Today

Monday March 2, 2009
Day 5 : Prayer for the downtrodden
Scripture for reflection: Matthew 22:1-14

The issue is not what we will give to the poor. It is when will we stop taking
from the poor? Jim Wallis

Prayer: God of mercy,
Many people in this world are trodden down under the weight of our
materialism. I pray today for those who stand on the fringes of the world
economy. I pray that those on the streets will find shelter, that those who
hunger will find room at your banqueting table. Holy Spirit of God, challenge
me to confront and overcome demons of greed. Spirit of God, challenge me
about the areas of my life where I contribute to social injustice. Don’t let me
forget those who are forced to live at the edges, for forgetting is a luxury your
kingdom cannot afford. Amen.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Lent Event Prayer and Scripture for Today

Sunday March 1, 2009 1st Sunday : With whom do we stand? Scripture for reflection: Genesis 9:8-17 Reflection – Covenant The drenching rain lessens− then drizzles to a halt. The sun peeps through the broken clouds and a shot of light bathes the landscape in gold. A rainbow arches across the sky and speaks of the wonder of God. Cockatoos screech into flight while cicadas start their drumming. Frogs are croaking – wallabies go back to their grazing. If you listen carefully you can hear the footsteps of God in this place. If you listen carefully you can hear a whisper on the breeze – ‘Behold, it is very good.’
Prayer for Lent Event project - Papua New Guinea
Scripture for reflection: Revelation 21: 1-6
Prayer: Pure loving God, as we turn a tap, drink from a glass or are massaged by freeflowing shower water, we thank you for the gift of pipes bringing water to homes, the skill of plumbers, infrastructure built up over years and money to pay for it. We remember before you women and children in Papua New Guinea who trudge for hours to fetch poor grade water and whose arms and heads ache from the containers they carry. We celebrate what our connections, a little money and a few basic supplies help achieve: children who can now go to school, mothers who have time to offer community leadership, infants safe from water-borne bugs, and an ecology further protected, through Jesus Christ. Amen.