Proper 22 (27)
October 6, 2024
Job 12:1; 2:1-10 or Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 26 or 8
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
Eternal God, we open our collective souls to your presence. We come needing to empty ourselves of the baggage and cares of the week and in some cases of life. May we come with the trust of a child.
Some have had heavy burdens to bear and like Job’s wife wonder about the fairness of life.
Some have seen a glimpse of our fragility and mortality and faced the terror and prospect of losing a dear one and come away grateful the dear one has been spared.
Some have suffered a disappointment.
Some have been walking through the dark valleys and nights of the soul and have been despondent.
Some are facing life-changing decisions.
Lord, empty us of our common cares.
Free us from the demand to hold you to a justice regarding the inequities of life as they apply to us.
Free us from complaining about life’s unfairness.
Free us from the desire and temptation to clutch and hold close our human treasures.
Teach us the wisdom that it is only in losing ourselves in causes and service which transcend ourselves that we truly find ourselves. Enable us to cast all our cares upon you. Enable us to heed again Jesus’ words not to let our hearts be troubled. And fill us with your peace that passes all understanding.
Make us valiant in the service of our world. May we never be discouraged by the difficulty of our Christian vision even though we will never achieve it completely.
Grant us courage and perseverance. Amen
October 6, 2024
Job 12:1; 2:1-10 or Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 26 or 8
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
Eternal God, we open our collective souls to your presence. We come needing to empty ourselves of the baggage and cares of the week and in some cases of life. May we come with the trust of a child.
Some have had heavy burdens to bear and like Job’s wife wonder about the fairness of life.
Some have seen a glimpse of our fragility and mortality and faced the terror and prospect of losing a dear one and come away grateful the dear one has been spared.
Some have suffered a disappointment.
Some have been walking through the dark valleys and nights of the soul and have been despondent.
Some are facing life-changing decisions.
Lord, empty us of our common cares.
Free us from the demand to hold you to a justice regarding the inequities of life as they apply to us.
Free us from complaining about life’s unfairness.
Free us from the desire and temptation to clutch and hold close our human treasures.
Teach us the wisdom that it is only in losing ourselves in causes and service which transcend ourselves that we truly find ourselves. Enable us to cast all our cares upon you. Enable us to heed again Jesus’ words not to let our hearts be troubled. And fill us with your peace that passes all understanding.
Make us valiant in the service of our world. May we never be discouraged by the difficulty of our Christian vision even though we will never achieve it completely.
Grant us courage and perseverance. Amen