Proper 13 (18)
August 3, 2025
Hosea 11:1-11 or Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 107:1-9, 43 or Psalm 49:1-12
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Our gracious, eternal God, we bow to you who are from everlasting to everlasting. We thank you for that seed of uneasiness which you have placed within us which causes us to hunger and thirst for an inner peace which endures. Yet we often wander on life’s journey and fail to find peace. And we know that our lack of peace is due to the many ways in which we misdirect our inner discontent.
We set our sights on money and would figuratively build bigger and better barns.
We keep our eye upon those who are more successful and we become consumed by envy.
We carry resentment that someone else has more than we and we rail against life’s unfairness.
We long for a security which money might bring but fail to see that there is no way money can cure our inner discontent.
Bend your ear to us this day. Provide your healing touch and help us to redirect our search for security and peace.
Help us always to remember that it is you who lend us life and that life is a gift.
Help us to remember that the purpose of life is always greater than knowing that we have enough for tomorrow.
Help us to remember that our resources also are only a gift and that we are only caretakers with a responsibility for the well being of our sisters and brothers.
Help us to remember that true riches do not lie in abundance but in being rich toward you who alone offer a peace which passes all understanding.
O God, we ask that you would transform us and provide us victory over all greed and avarice. Amen
August 3, 2025
Hosea 11:1-11 or Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 107:1-9, 43 or Psalm 49:1-12
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Our gracious, eternal God, we bow to you who are from everlasting to everlasting. We thank you for that seed of uneasiness which you have placed within us which causes us to hunger and thirst for an inner peace which endures. Yet we often wander on life’s journey and fail to find peace. And we know that our lack of peace is due to the many ways in which we misdirect our inner discontent.
We set our sights on money and would figuratively build bigger and better barns.
We keep our eye upon those who are more successful and we become consumed by envy.
We carry resentment that someone else has more than we and we rail against life’s unfairness.
We long for a security which money might bring but fail to see that there is no way money can cure our inner discontent.
Bend your ear to us this day. Provide your healing touch and help us to redirect our search for security and peace.
Help us always to remember that it is you who lend us life and that life is a gift.
Help us to remember that the purpose of life is always greater than knowing that we have enough for tomorrow.
Help us to remember that our resources also are only a gift and that we are only caretakers with a responsibility for the well being of our sisters and brothers.
Help us to remember that true riches do not lie in abundance but in being rich toward you who alone offer a peace which passes all understanding.
O God, we ask that you would transform us and provide us victory over all greed and avarice. Amen