Prayers Based on Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

Prayer: Good Bridegroom
Jesus, Good Bridegroom
Prepare us
for the long night of enduring
Fill our lamps for active waiting
and trusting
Light the fire when the time is right
to respond to your call

Reveal our true readiness, Good Bridegroom
Your truth is grace
Your delay is grace
So all may prepare
So none may be lost

Hymn Text: Ten Maidens
Meter 88.88 LM with Refrain
Suggested Tune- HE LEADETH ME (United Methodist Hymnal #128)

Ten maidens step into the night,
the bridegroom still beyond their sight.
They watch and wait till caught by sleep,
for he’s delayed their time to meet.

Refrain: Good Bridegroom we await your day.
Help us to watch. Help us to pray.
We know not when the hour will be
to join you in your majesty

At midnight comes the rousing shout!
The Bridegroom comes without a doubt.
Five foolish ones have not prepared.
They seek more oil as he appears. (Refrain)

The Groom, Christ comes, His hour draws near,
the unprepared will gaze in fear,
to see the banquet door closed fast,
the time to enter long since past. (Refrain)

Refine my soul, renew my mind
Reveal each fault that you may find
Expose my heart, make my life true
So at that time, I’m known to you (Refrain)

______________

For the next few months, I’ll be posting prayers to accompany Bishop Ken Carter’s Bible Study on Facebook. Each week, Bishop Carter will bring in a guest to speak about the passage. We’ll be walking through the last chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. 

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

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

Good Bridegroom © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Ten Maidens © 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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