Here’s a prayer of intercession based on the suggested scripture readings for Proper 14 B. It was written by Richard Einerson.
Prayers of the People
(inspired by 2 Samuel 18, Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
O Eternal One, whose message to us has always been that our relationship to you is inextricably related to how we treat our sisters and brothers, bend low your spirit this day and touch us with your power.
• Wean us from our tendency to nurture perceived slights and to put hot coals to our anger.
• Wean us from all tendencies to take advantage of others for personal gain.
• Wean us from negativity and from becoming bitter whether or not we think we are justified in our feelings.
• Wean us from the all too human and common tendency to gossip about others and to slander them in any way.
• Wean us from carrying malice in our hearts and from giving in to anything that would poison relationships with others.
Make us over again, O gracious God.
Give us a consistent kindness and compassion for others. Keep us always tender hearted even when the world delivers difficult blows and setbacks to us. Teach us once again about your redeeming grace in order that we may learn, however slowly and however tentatively, how to forgive others. Teach us how to live abundantly into the future as victorious and expectant people, greeting each new day with eagerness and excitement. And indelibly remind us that we are among your forgiven and beloved community.
We present to you all who have special need of your grace today. Keep them in your gracious care and insofar as we are able use us to make their burdens lighter. Be with those who war and who are victims of war and grant to us a peaceful world. Amen
• Wean us from our tendency to nurture perceived slights and to put hot coals to our anger.
• Wean us from all tendencies to take advantage of others for personal gain.
• Wean us from negativity and from becoming bitter whether or not we think we are justified in our feelings.
• Wean us from the all too human and common tendency to gossip about others and to slander them in any way.
• Wean us from carrying malice in our hearts and from giving in to anything that would poison relationships with others.
Make us over again, O gracious God.
Give us a consistent kindness and compassion for others. Keep us always tender hearted even when the world delivers difficult blows and setbacks to us. Teach us once again about your redeeming grace in order that we may learn, however slowly and however tentatively, how to forgive others. Teach us how to live abundantly into the future as victorious and expectant people, greeting each new day with eagerness and excitement. And indelibly remind us that we are among your forgiven and beloved community.
We present to you all who have special need of your grace today. Keep them in your gracious care and insofar as we are able use us to make their burdens lighter. Be with those who war and who are victims of war and grant to us a peaceful world. Amen
~ written by Richard Einerson, and posted on Richard J. Einerson: Prayers of the People. http://www.richardeinerson.com/
