Prayers of the Church, 6.24.12

Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. O God, w ¹³e give thanks to you and praise your glorious name.  And now, our God we give thanks for your power.

As we contemplate your power, Father, evidenced in creation, we focus on your power to save.

We focus on the cross.

While the cross by itself is a symbol of despair, the cross of Jesus is the power of God.

The cross of Jesus:

• Power over sin
• Power over death
• Power of love
• Power of forgiveness, even our enemies
• Ultimate power.

Forgive us when we try to conjure up a sense of power, when we believe in earthly power; when we reject your power for worldly wisdom.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

The cross of Jesus.

Hear our prayers of thanks in the silence, Lord.

Praise be to you, loving Father.

We ask special prayers today, gracious Lord, for Dennis and Fabienne Freeland and their family as they serve with other missionaries in Cameroon to spread your word in their part of the world. Bless them and keep them, especially Dennis and the other pilots, as they support operations in western Africa.

And now we pray together as Jesus taught us to pray: