A PERSONAL PRAYER
God of justice…
I don’t understand why I was born who I am, with the resources I have been offered and the love that has been poured into me, while my Zoe Ministries friend, the Guatemalan boy of twelve, has grown up in a family where his mother is dead and his father is disabled, so he has to be the primary breadwinner. Or why my children were given a stable home with loving parents, while the average foster child changes families seven times. I can go on and on. It doesn’t seem right. It doesn’t seem just.
Yes, I always told my children, “Life isn’t fair. Get used to it.” But are we, as worshippers of a God of justice, supposed to simply accept injustice? Are we supposed to say “well, God made them born where they are and me where I am, so it must be the way it is intended.” Surely not, God. Surely you don’t intend for some to starve and others to flourish. Surely you want all your children to flourish. Surely, you are in the business of putting things right!
The realistic, (OK, God, maybe it is more like cynical) side of me says it will never be made right. The selfish side of me says I don’t want to share any of those blessings you have given me with anyone else, or change anything in a system that benefits me so fully. Oh yes, I will share some leftovers with my charity. But I don’t want to make any real sacrifice. Forgive my complacence, my apathy, and my selfishness, God, and show me how to be a part, in some tiny way, of what you are doing to make things right. Amen.
SOME THOUGHTS TO SHARE
Sermon Series continues: “Focus On These Things.”
This week, we continue our sermon series based on Philippians 4:8: “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, focus on these things.” I hope you have been working on memorizing the verse. This Sunday, July 22, we look together at the phrase “whatever is just,” and discuss what justice and righteousness really mean, and how we can fill our lives with the work of justice. You can read the scripture for the day here: Matthew 25:31-46
Buy School Supplies for CCSC
Make a $45 donation to buy school supplies, shoes, uniform, and a backpack for kids through CCSC’s Back to School program. A table is set up in the Fellowship Walk to help out.
This Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary, The Rob Landes Trio will present a concert of music from the 50s, which benefits Friends of Music, which helps us pay for so many of our guest musicians on special days.
PRAYER CALENDAR
Sunday, July 22
Jesus, we thank you for each volunteer here at St. Luke’s who joyfully donates his or her time and talents to make this machine of faith run smoothly. Amen. -Prayer by W. Paul Waits
Monday, July 23
Lord, we pray to have everyone hearing about Jesus in our midst. Use us to love your people and teach us how best to do that in this day and age. Guide your church and give us the courage to follow you Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, July 24
Heavenly Father, we pray for your children who have lost their way and turned away from you and your love. We pray, God, that you would provide for them and care for them. We ask that you would divinely intervene to place people in their lives who can guide them back to you. Give us opportunities to help them, and guide our words and actions to have a positive impact on them. Amen.
Wednesday, July 25
God, we confess that we get caught up in the ways of the world even though we try not to. Teach us to think of heavenly things and to seek to find good in everyone. Let us not worry whether the glass is half full or half empty, but help us to seek out those who are thirsty. Amen.
Thursday, July 26
God, be with those who are expecting a child in the next several months. Keep those children strong and healthy as they prepare to be born into this world. Be also with the parents as they prepare for this wonderful blessing. Amen.
Friday, July 27
God, I pray for healing for those who need it. Help those who are afflicted to find their identity in more than just their sickness. Be with those who love and care for them as well. Amen.
Saturday, July 28
Lord, we pray for the unity of all Christian churches. May we put aside our differences and trust in you alone. May we become the holy, catholic, and apostolic church again. Amen.
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