Prayer Based on Matthew 14
Jesus grieved the unjust murder of his relative, John the Baptist. What rose up in him was not bitterness, revenge, isolation, or despair. What rose up in him was compassion, generosity, and hope- the power and glory of our Great God rising in the midst of cruelty and death. May this same power and glory rise in our world today.

Broken
So much broken
Then and now

Jesus,
In your heartbreak
In our heartbreak
You gather
Broken bodies
Broken systems
Broken bits of bread and fish
You gather it and redeem it all

This is your truth
This is your way
Compassion
Generosity
Hope
Blessed be your name

Prayer Based on Matthew 15
Based on the story of the Canaanite woman’s faith, Matthew 15:21-28. In this story, I hear the voices of immigrants and refugees, the poor, those who cannot get the help and justice they long for.

They come begging, “Take pity on me, Son of David.”
They kneel desperate, “Lord, help me. Lord, have mercy.”

Look at their faces
Look at their faith
Yet, we send them away

Their hopes and dreams are the same as ours
Their needs are the same as ours
Their answer is the same as ours
Jesus

Jesus, give us eyes to see
Ears to hear
Hearts and arms to embrace

Lord, give us faith to trust there is enough

It’s not Us and Them
It’s only Us
You saving, healing, and loving Us

_________________________

For the next few months, I’m reading a chapter from the Gospels each day. This is part of the Summer in the Scriptures reading plan sponsored by the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Click Here for the reading plan.

You’re most welcome to read along and to join the Facebook discussion group, Summer in the Scriptures. You don’t need to be a Methodist or attend a Methodist church. All are welcome and all means all.

As part of the Facebook group, I’ve been supplying prayers based on the day’s reading. Feel free to post your prayers and observations based on the readings here or there as well.

May the grace of the Gospels, the challenge, and the call, inspire us to great faith and great good works in Jesus’ name. – Lisa <><

Broken (Matthew 14) © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Only Us (Matthew 15) © 2017, 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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