Proper 20 (25)
September 22, 2024
Proverbs 31:10-31 or Wis. Of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22
Psalm 1 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 or Psalm 54
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Our gracious eternal God, we praise you today for gracing our lives with consistently sunny, warm, and beautiful days. You have caused us to dwell in a beautiful place with mountains which are breathtaking. We thank you.
Though we are followers of Jesus we are a long way from being remade and we struggle with self and ego issues. Like the disciples we bring our insecurity. Like the disciples we want to be the best and the greatest. Like the disciples we claw for power and influence.
We love to be recognized and to be accorded places of honour.
We love to be recognized as leaders and to receive praise for what we do.
We love to be considered the greatest.
We love to have power and influence while at the same time hating power games and struggles.
We love, in the power games of life, to win and to come out on top.
We pray that you would save us from our destructive and selfish selves. Give us a vision of service to the community and the world. Give us a cooperative spirit so that the gifts of all may be utilized for good.
Transform our power hungry egos into servant egos where we strive only to work your will. Change our jealous natures into generous ones where we seek to work hand in hand with colleagues in the faith and where we seek to build others up. Help us to build community and not worry about who gets credit.
Help us to develop humility of heart. Amen
September 22, 2024
Proverbs 31:10-31 or Wis. Of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22
Psalm 1 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 or Psalm 54
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
Our gracious eternal God, we praise you today for gracing our lives with consistently sunny, warm, and beautiful days. You have caused us to dwell in a beautiful place with mountains which are breathtaking. We thank you.
Though we are followers of Jesus we are a long way from being remade and we struggle with self and ego issues. Like the disciples we bring our insecurity. Like the disciples we want to be the best and the greatest. Like the disciples we claw for power and influence.
We love to be recognized and to be accorded places of honour.
We love to be recognized as leaders and to receive praise for what we do.
We love to be considered the greatest.
We love to have power and influence while at the same time hating power games and struggles.
We love, in the power games of life, to win and to come out on top.
We pray that you would save us from our destructive and selfish selves. Give us a vision of service to the community and the world. Give us a cooperative spirit so that the gifts of all may be utilized for good.
Transform our power hungry egos into servant egos where we strive only to work your will. Change our jealous natures into generous ones where we seek to work hand in hand with colleagues in the faith and where we seek to build others up. Help us to build community and not worry about who gets credit.
Help us to develop humility of heart. Amen