Courageous Prayers

 Lord,  I need your courage to resist my deep urge to smooth over holy tension ~ in myself, and in your church.  I need your courage to step out of my conversational comfort zones.  Jesus, you are resurrection and life. Call me out when I settle for less than the fullness of life you came to bring us all. In your strong name, Amen. -Pastor Karen 

Dear Lord, on a day when many celebrate love,I pray for the courage  to love. I know that love is not for the faint of heart, and yet in the face of life's challenges, my heart often faints! Build up my ability to love not just in feeling, but in action, and to use that love to temper both my fear in facing difficulties, and my shying away from responsibility, responsibilities often necessary to get back on my feet and back in balance with you, myself, and others. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Dear Lord of Heaven and Earth, and the glorious cosmos that surrounds us all: Come afresh into my soul this day; chase out the fears that lurk there, and fill the "clean house" with your Holy Spirit, the "Spirit of Courage!" For we know that it was women and men moved  by your Spirit who spoke out against the principalities and powers, standing up for the oppressed and standing with those who were being persecuted. It was your Spirit of Courage that moved Peter--a person who suffered from "foot in mouth" disease--to speak an eloquent message to a throng, most of whom heeded the call to follow Jesus because of his courageous, powerful words. Forgive us, Lord, for believing that if our courage is not something we  create or inherently possess, that we have no right to ask you for an assist! Lord, may your grace be the grease of our courage, and the power in our pronouncement! In Jesus' name, Amen.                                                          

Lord of love and Creator of life, we often fear the unknown.  Hear the quivering of our voices as we cry out to you.  In the unknowns of our short lives, we find ourselves unable to shake off the anxieties of this life.  Give us the strength, the wisdom, and the fortitude to accept your infinitude within finiteness of our lives.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen.   - Pastor Chad

  God of love and mercy, we are sinners lost in our own ignorance and self-importance. Forgive us and teach us the truth of love and courage. Lead us into the reality of your embrace. Amen. - Pastor Chad

Most gracious and loving God, there are times when I feel quite courageous, and yet there are other times when I feel like that small child that gets separated from its parents in a crowded market. My parents told me that if this ever happens, I should look for the helpers and tell them I am lost. Lord, through the prompting of your Holy Spirit, remind me, when my courage is waning, to turn to You, my Helper, that you may help me find my way, and to lean on your courage until I again find my way and rediscover my own courage. In the name of my Helper, my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 Lord, nineteen years ago this day you gave me courage to push new life into the world, and my beautiful daughter was born.  My labor song was my life is in you Lord, my strength is in you Lord, my hope is in you Lord, in you, in you.  Renew my strength and hope today. Help me labor fiercely and push fearlessly for new life, new justice, new peace to emerge for all your children in all the world, trusting and following the contractions of your Spirit.  Amen.  -- Pastor Karen Slusser            

 Lord of time and Lord of life, give me courage to use my time wisely, and to make it count for something in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Help me boldly live my life with purpose, knowing that you have created me with gifts I may use to bless you, your church, and others. And when faced with unexpected challenges, remind me that you walk this journey with me, and that my confidence may be boosted by your presence, and guided by your Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.                                                                                         Pastor Jeff

 With the community of Christ, I lift my heart up to you, Lord.  With the community of Christ, I give thanks for your faithfulness.  With the community of Christ, I sing praise for you are good, all the time, God, all the time, you are good.   Together as the hearts-lifted community of Christ we resist our fear of uncertainty.  Together as the thankful community of Christ we resist our fear of change.  Together as the community praising Christ we resist our fear of uncomfortable conversations.  You are with us, and we are with each other.   May our shared hope in you give me courage to resist evil, injustice, and oppression of all kinds, together with the community who prays in the strong name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.                                                                                                                                                                 -Pastor Karen Slusser

O Lord of life and laughter, on a day when we celebrate the "courage" of a mythical Groundhog to look for his shadow as a sign of what is yet to come, give me the courage to keep an eye on the the real indicators around me, acting responsibly and with compassion in response to what I see my life putting before me. Help me be bold enough to take steps, but wise enough to ask for your guidance as to the direction I travel. And encourage me not to gaze at the shadow I cast, but to look to the light that illuminates the path ahead! In Jesus' name. Amen.                                                                                         --Pastor Jeff  

Hear the tears we cry, Lord.  Hear the sound of our hands beating our chests.  Hear the trembling in our voices.  Hear the pain, the shame, the anger, and the sighs too deep for words.  You are the true source of our courage, the true source of peace, the true source of love, but so many times we have stepped away from you.  Woo us back to your heart, God, bring us back to the embrace of Jesus Christ that we may once again find the courage of living for our neighbors.  Amen. -- Pastor Chad