Prayer Based on Matthew 9
How does confession open us to mercy and new life? Who/What benefits when we neglect this gift? Offer your prayers in the comments.

Based on Matthew 9:12-13
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Christ have mercy on me,
a sinner.

I have failed to love as You Love
I have treated others as objects and obstacles
– less than human
– less than bearing the image of God

I have elevated goals, persons, and things to the throne of my heart
I have procrastinated allowing fear to postpone your good work
I have wasted your precious gifts of time and talent and money

I am proud in unhealthy ways
I am too comfortable peacekeeping rather than peacemaking
I am privileged and have much to learn and unlearn, center and decenter
for my words and actions to actually help

I have raised myself too high
Hid myself too low

Trusting in you and your promises
I call on your Mighty Name for mercy
I ask your forgiveness, Gracious Savior
I surrender to your healing, Great Physician
I claim your resurrection power, Risen One

You are already here
Calling me from the old to the new
Speaking my name
Welcoming me to table
Hallelujah! I will follow…

Prayer Based on Matthew 10
Jesus, you summon and send us
You give us authority over all that is unholy and destructive
You give us power to cast out evil and injustice
to cure and make whole

Jesus, you summon and send us
You call us by name
You give us a voice and a message
Good News! God is near
Good News! God’s kingdom is true and in your midst

Jesus, you summon and send us
You gather us and release us to find what is lost
A mission for this place, this moment
Free us with simplicity
Break the chains of overplanning,
earthly comfort, and mortal securities
Show us what to leave in order to go

Jesus, you summon and send us
Make us wise
Make us innocent
Make us gentle
Make us steadfast
Make us yours
Amen

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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 <><

Christ, Have Mercy (Matthew 9) © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Summon and Send (Matthew 10) © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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