Abstract
Proper 17: September 1
Call to prayer: ‘The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.’ (Sirach 10:12)
Humble God, We come before you, ashamed of our pride. We have forsaken you to strive and grasp after All manner of things for our own self-importance, our own satisfaction. Yet you are the fount of living water. You are the source of life. Forgive us when we puff ourselves up in relation to others and miss the point that our significance is in relation to you. Our honour consists in being your children, Created, redeemed and loved by you. We thank you for pursuing us through history That we might delight in you, And find room to honour others, our fellow human beings, Your children, our brothers and sisters. We thank you that you came among us As one of us, in Christ Jesus, Who was born in a stable, Lived among us in simplicity, A king with no palace, His only crown a crown of thorns. He befriended the low-esteemed and the hated, Stood in solidarity with the broken-hearted and oppressed, Offered hospitality to friends and strangers, And on the night he was betrayed, offered communion to his betrayer. Who are we, then, to puff ourselves up? On what grounds are we self-important? Humble God, Forgive us when we forget That you are our Maker our source of life. Our honour is in being yours Our calling is to be like you With delight and in all humility. Amen
Proper 19: September 15
Call to prayer: ‘To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Tim 1:17)
Merciful God, Your love and faithfulness draw praise from our lips. You have never given up on us Though we have turned from you, Have been faithless, ignorant, distracted, Neglectful, oppressive and violent. We have caused you anger and grief. We are truly sorry. We praise you for your faithfulness. You have pursued us like a shepherd Searching for a lost sheep, A woman for a lost coin. You have a cheer squad in heaven, ready, For when even one of us returns to you in repentance and humility. Your mercy draws our praise. We thank you that your delight is our restoration, The cleansing of our hearts and spirits, Our returning home to you. May we grieve you no more. Praise to you, the immortal, invisible, only God. To you be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen
Proper 20: September 22
Compassionate God, You desire all to be saved and to live in your truth. As your people, draw us out of ourselves and towards others, in our lives and in our prayers. We pray for those in grief, whose joy has left them. For those who mourn the loss of a loved one who has moved away or died, be their comforter. For those who grieve the loss of innocence, the lack of respect or dignity, be their hope. For those suffering injustice or war, stir our leaders to act for justice and peace. Give us the courage to grieve with those who suffer, and to act with your compassion in this crying world. Move us with your Spirit to renounce our own comforts, to sigh and groan to you on their behalf, and to accept the ministry of others when we are full of sorrow. For you lived among us and shared our suffering. You gave from your true wealth, that we might have life in abundance. Teach us the meaning of true wealth, Of what an honour it is to serve and be served Beyond all pretensions and falsities, Human beings together, all of whom you desire to save and to be true. We thank you for those who live from your humble love and care, who are moved by the needs of others who mediate on their behalf. We offer our supplications and prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for others, in the name of Christ who mediated between God and humankind. Amen