Prayers of the Church, 10.28.12

We come before you, O God, thanking you and praising your name for your great love and care.  You give us bread to eat, you give us clothing to wear, you give us a community of faithful people who love us and care for us even when we don’t recognize it.  You give us salvation through you beloved son, Jesus Christ who gave his all for us.

We call on you for help today, Father, as we regularly do.  Thank you for encouraging us.  Thank you for welcoming our requests.  Thank you for never forsaking us.

As sinful and selfish beings, we call on you.  Help us recognize the gifts that you shower upon us.  Help us realize that you call on us to give as well, following your example of giving manifested in your faithful followers throughout the ages. 

Help us realize that giving is a way of life.  Help us to remember that is your will.  Give us strength, character, and perseverance to give and do what’s right because it’s right and because it is what you want. 

We know there are many ways to give.  We are often called to give the money you place under our care.  Help us remember that it belongs to you.  Help us to give of your resources with abandon – money, talent, and most of all for many of us – time.

Help us develop a character of giving, of giving our best.  Help us remember that when we give freely, we are transformed from selfish beings who consider that we are the center of the universe, into more Christ-like beings.  Help us realize that we are a part of something much larger, of something bigger than ourselves and that is the kingdom of God.

Help us have a giving spirit with people we don’t like, maybe who we even find reprehensible.  And help us have a giving spirit with people who don’t like us, who even hate us.

 

Remind us that when we give it should not be for recognition, not for a pat on the back.  If our bosses don’t notice or say it’s not enough, if our organizations don’t appreciate it, don’t recognize it, if our churches take it for granted, if others take advantage of it, help us to give anyway.

Help us to give because it’s not between us and them, but instead because it’s between you and us.  Help us remember, help us realize that giving is a part of worship, that giving is a part of how we show we love you.

Loving God, we ask special blessings today on the European Evangelistic Society.  Bless them as they continue seeking to be an international witness for the Christian Gospel throughout Eastern Europe

Now hear us, Lord, as we pray together the prayer that Jesus Christ taught us: