Trust and Act, a prayer inspired by the boy who shared his food, John 6.1-21

Posted on April 11, 2023 by revlisad

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes (La multiplication des pains) by James Tissot

Trust and Act by Lisa Degrenia
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” – John 6:9 (NRSV)

Miraculous One,
Our own needs and the needs of our world overwhelm us
We question if anything can be done
We become paralyzed with despair and fear
We numb and do nothing

Thank you for the nameless child
He trusts and acts
He has little, but in your hands, it’s honored
it’s more than enough

Grant us his generosity and willingness
Help us trust you beyond what we can see or imagine

We ask this in your strong name, Jesus
You are the one who makes all things possible
and all things new. Amen.

************

I’m posting prayers based on the Gospel of John throughout the seasons of Lent and Easter this year. Thanks for coming along with me on the journey. – Lisa <><

John 6:1-21 is read on Year B — Season after Pentecost — Proper 12 (17)

Trust and Act © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog, etc.

Midweek Devotion- Matthew 20.1-16

Posted on October 14, 2020 by revlisad

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:1-16

SONGS:
‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Bind Us Together

BREATH PRAYERS:
IN: Jesus
OUT: I trust your ________________

IN: Jesus I receive
OUT: Life and rest, joy and peace

IN:
OUT: O for grace to trust you more

You’re encouraged to use the following process as you read scripture.
We use this process together on Wednesdays at 8:00AM EST.

STILLNESS: Spend 5-20 minutes in silence looking to God and listening for God.

ATTENTION: Read or listen to the Scripture. What word, phrase or verse captures your attention? Underline it or copy it onto a piece of paper.

CONNECTION: What connections do you see to other scriptures? To your own experience or current situation? Or, to the character or promises of God?

ACTION: What is God inviting you to trust, say, or do? How will your life be different because of this scripture?

PRAY: Talk to God about what you just experienced or anything else on your heart.

Recorded 9/16/2020

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Text: Louisa M. R. Stead
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick
Public Domain

Bind Us Together
CCLI Song # 1228
Bob Gillman © 1977
Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 686715

_______________________________________
Midweek Devotion- Matthew 20:1-16 © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Prayers based on Matthew 20.1-16

Posted on September 18, 2020 by revlisad

sept 16 Prayers Based on Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus teaches on God’s generosity

Prayer of the Unemployed
My hope rises with the sun
I want to be hired, to be useful
I need the work

The day is passing
I need to be hired
I need to work
I have responsibilities and debts
I need to work to care for myself and my loved ones

The day is nearly gone
I have skills to offer, yet no one sees them
Why am I not valued?
Why am I not wanted?
The idleness eats my soul

The day is nearly done, as is my hope
Yet, you see me
You want me
You come for me

I give you what I have
The sweat of my brow
The labor of my limbs
The dreams of my heart
The weight of my needs
The hole of my soul

Help me to trust you in this lean time
Help me to trust worthy work is coming soon
With a boss as generous and honorable as you
Help me trust there is work to be done
all are wanted
all are needed
all are chosen

Help me hold on to hope
Stay here soul
Stay here

Prayer: Abundance, Provision, and Plenty
You are the God of ⁠
Abundance, Provision, and Plenty⁠
⁠
Yet⁠
So many do not have enough⁠
So many are burdened by far too much⁠
So many squander what they have⁠
So many do evil to get more⁠
⁠
The “many” include me⁠
Lord, have mercy
⁠
You are the God of ⁠
Abundance, Provision, and Plenty⁠
Increase the common good
Increase opportunity and stability
Increase your grace and goodness
in me and through me

Help me choose ⁠
Collaboration over competition
Gratitude over greed ⁠
Rest over hustle
Generosity over fear ⁠
⁠
Help me choose You and Your ways⁠
Your ways, always. Amen

______________

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 <

Prayer for the Unemployed © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Abundance, Provision, Plenty © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Two Prayers Based on John 12-13

Posted on August 20, 2020 by revlisad

Summer in the Scriptures John (10)
Prayer based on John 12:1-8, Mary Anoints Jesus
I was struck by the motivational differences between Mary and Judas. Mary is humble, genuine, sacrificial, and intimate in expressing her love and thanks to Jesus. Judas is scheming, hypocritical, distancing, and self-serving. Mary is whole-hearted while Judas is two-faced.

Do Judas’ actions sour the moment for Jesus? Steal the joy of the blessing? I hope not.

Blessed Jesus,
We see the beauty of you alive in Mary

Her gift
inspires us to love you sacrificially and extravagantly

Her actions
motivate us to thank you deeply and publically

Her heart
moves us to nurture an intimate and authentic relationship with you

Reveal any falsehood at work in us
so we may leave it behind
so more and more of your grace comes forth
Amen

Summer in the Scriptures John (11)
Based on John 13:33-35
Jesus said, “Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”

Son of God
Savior
Sacrifice

Your love is Fierce and Forever
Abounding and Intimate
Generous, Goodness, and Grace

Fill me with your Spirit
Make me your love

It is your command
It is your way
It is your gift
It is You and your work

Yes, make me your witness
And yes, make me your will
But first and always, make me your love

Pause in silence to receive

_______________

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 <

Mary’s Witness © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Make Me Your Love © 2019 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Breath Prayers Based on Luke 19-20

Posted on August 3, 2020 by revlisad

Silently pray the phrase after IN on your breath in. Then silently pray the phrase after OUT on your breath out. Take your time. Breathe deeply. Choose one, a few, or all of them as is most helpful to you. ⁠

Breath Prayers based on Luke 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus

IN: Jesus, I long to see you
OUT:

IN: Jesus, I long to know you
OUT:

IN: I rejoice in your welcome
OUT:

IN: You show me my riches
OUT:

IN: You show me my poverty
OUT:

IN: Jesus
OUT: I repent of my graft and greed

IN: Jesus
OUT: here is my gift for the poor

IN: Jesus
OUT: help me right my wrongs

IN: Today salvation
OUT: has come to this house

Breath Prayers based on Luke 20:9-19
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

IN: Jesus, open my ears
OUT: to your messengers

IN: I confess my greedy ways
OUT: Forgive me

IN: I confess my controlling ways
OUT: Forgive me

IN: I confess the violence in my heart and hands
OUT: Forgive me

IN: All that I have is yours
OUT:

IN: Help me honor
OUT: all you entrust to me

IN: Make me generous
OUT: Ready to share

IN: You are the Cornerstone
OUT: I receive you and bless you

_______________

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 <

Breath Prayers based on Luke 19-20 © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

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Christian Practices with Rev. Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Tag Archives: generosity

Trust and Act, a prayer inspired by the boy who shared his food, John 6.1-21

Midweek Devotion- Matthew 20.1-16

Prayers based on Matthew 20.1-16

Two Prayers Based on John 12-13