Prayer Based on Matthew 6
Matthew 6:7-8
Jesus said, “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

I hide in a cave of well-worn words
Prattle prayers echo in the dark
Empty phrases, stale clichés
Trying to barricade the entrance

You meet me there anyway
Inviting me again to what is deeper and true

Help me come to you honest and real
nothing veiled, nothing hidden
Help me come to you present and fresh
new every morning, new every moment

Prayer Based on Matthew 7
Matthew 7:1-2
Jesus said, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.”

Father of heirs and orphans
Sustainer of rich and poor
Wisdom of educated and ignorant
Salvation of saint and sinner
Lord of the Nations
Lord of All

Forgive me for judging
labeling
presuming
excluding

Change my heart and ways to match yours
No partiality, only welcome

Prayer Based on Matthew 8
Matthew 8:8
The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Jesus, only speak the word
Speak peace and the storm is calmed
Speak go and souls are made whole
Speak life and the new is born, and it is good

Jesus, only speak the word
Speak justice and the oppressed are freed
Speak truth and the mask of hypocrisy falls
Speak grace and the path of peacemaking appears

Jesus, only speak the word
Speak light and we are light
Speak our names and we are found
Speak welcome and we are home

Jesus, speak
We are listening
We trust in you

_________________________

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 <><

A Heap of Empty Words (Matthew 6) © 2019 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
No Partiality (Matthew 7) © 2013 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Jesus, Only Speak the Word (Matthew 8) © 2017 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.