Pastor’s Prayers

Jesus, though you were of one age, you spoke to the ages.

Jesus, though you lived long ago, you spoke words that continue to move, motivate, mature, and transfigured us.

Jesus, though you were of Palestinian color and culture, you spoke to all cultures and colors.

We thank you for your timeliness and timelessness.  May the church that bears your name continue to reach out with love and compassion toward other members of the human family, no matter what age, culture, color, or context.

–Leonard Sweet

Christ, Good Shepherd, bread

Divine, show us to your mercy sign.

Feed us still, still keep us thine

That we may see your glory shine

In the kingdom of the good.

Source of all we have or know,

Come and guide us here below,

Make us, at your table seated,

By your saints as friends be greeted,

Co-heirs at the feast of love.

–St. Thomas Aquinas

“Let nothing disturb you.

Let nothing frighten you.

All things pass away; God never changes.

Patience obtains all things.

Those who have God find they lack nothing;

God alone suffices.”

Teresa of Avila (1515-82)

Take hold of me Lord. 

Accept this offering of freedom, of memory, of mind, of will. 

These I cling and count as my own. 

All are your gifts, Lord; now I am returning them. 

They are yours.  Do as you will.

Give me only your free gift of love.

In this you give all;  in this you give all.

–Ignatius’ “Prayer for Generosity”

God, I want to give you my best, even when I don’t strive as hard as I might. My heart’s desire is to show you my love with my preaching. But I balk and halt sometimes . . . What will people say? What will you say? What if it’s not good enough? What if I’m not good enough? 

May I find comfort and courage from the woman who anointed you by pouring out a fortune in perfume all over your body just before your crucifixion. She did so in love and humility amid insults and judgments. Yet you received her and loved her and defended her. In humility and love, I bring to you my fortune in words and images and stories. Please receive my gift as an expression of my love and devotion. Amen.

O God, help me to open those doors where you are knocking, and to stop propping up those walls you are knocking down.  Tear down all walls built around some spaces and places in my life where I’ve said to you, “I made you Lord of my life except here.”  Table your presence in my life that I may come to know myself as I know Christ and make Christ known to all who will listen.  Amen.