Prayers and blessings for this still cold and snow-bound week! Today’s reading from Luke 4:14-21 tells of Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah, a part proclaiming the spirit of the Lord anointing to release the captive and restore sight to the blind. Jesus tells the synagogue, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” As presented in the gospel, this mandate is the manifesto of purpose and the birth of the liberation God seeks for all. What purpose have we set for our lives, and what purpose should the church, the Body of Christ, undertake? Have we set our goals too low, feeling comfortable with just keeping the doors open? What is the Spirit of the Lord really upon you to do?
Here is the prayer offered by our worship leader Carla Gilbert and written by Rev. Kent. May the Spirit of the Lord be upon you mightily this week!
Wherever we sit, stand, read, wait, walk, wonder, or worry may you send your holy spirit of love and purpose deep, deep into our souls. We pray to be filled with gracious words and even more gracious acts. We ask to have our body strengthened for loving, and for the body of our bodies to be fit for service, respecting each gift, valuing each member, seeking every highest plateau of compassion. Help us do good things on purpose, and filled with your vision. Help us remember the good words of those who have gone before, and give us the power to be a living word to new generations. By ourselves and isolated we are weak. United in the Body of Christ we are made whole. Help your people in their needs, Lord, and make us a jubilant company of love on purpose. –Rev. Kent Gilbert
Leave a Reply