Prayers — The Parson's Porch

A Prayer as We Gather: Calm our hearts, Lord. Amidst the encircling daily chaos of broken promises, we crave apostle Paul’s joyful assurance: “God’s gifts and calling can’t be taken back.” May this holy hour find your promises renewed, your claim upon our lives strengthened. Amen. *(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Romans 11)

Morning Prayer: Thank you, God, for drawing on a larger canvas than our truncated vision. As with patriarch Jacob’s son Joseph, the detested young dreamer sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, may we see in the patterns of our lives a grander plan than we could ever muster on our own. Unveil your mysterious grace, traced through the everydayness of ourcluttered schedules and screens-tethered hypnosis. Free us to see ourselves as instruments of your reconciling love, not mere pawns of some distant deity detached from human suffering. Strip away the old grudges and resentments infesting our memory, and draw us closer to the precious bleeding side of our risen Lord, who loved us so much he gave us words by which we appeal to you, saying …*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Genesis 45)

Prayer of Confession: Forgive us, Lord, our exaggerated pride in our own intelligence, the inflated estimation of our verbose opinions. Curb our sharp tongues with Jesus’ reprimand: “It’s not what goes into the mouth that contaminates a person, but what comes out of the mouth from the heart: evil thoughts, false testimonies, insults.” Help us tone down the bitter, destructive, increasingly coarse publicdiscourse spewing from the highest corridors of power. Have mercy on the pitiful insecurities in which our most cruel words fester, and help us to be better than our emotionally crippled, self-appointed leaders. Amen.*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Matthew 15)

Assurance of Pardon: I have good news! God is eager to transform us into instruments of mercy, as evidenced by the changed mind and softened heart of Jesus himself, whose initially curt rebuff of a pesky mother pleading for her daughter’s healing finally gave way to his tender, curative blessing. We have it within ourselves to be just such reluctant healers, replacing intemperate judgment with a caring touch and a trusting heart. Thanks be to God for such a hope!*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Matthew 15)

A Prayer as We Gather: Does anybody really know what time it is, Lord? Indeed we do, as Apostle Paul insisted, urging us to wake from slumber, put on weapons of light, rejoicing that deliverance is nearer than ever, night is over, and we should get rid of actions that belong to the darkness. Surge through this holy hour, renewing our vow as people of faith to behave appropriately as people who live in the light, clothing ourselves with hope on this first Advent Sunday. Amen.*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Romans 13)

Morning Prayer: Omniscient God, we need to learn again how to live out the phrase “God only knows!” When our actions telegraph to those around us “Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing!” we neglect to our own detriment Jesus’ insistence that “only the Father knows” what the future holds and what our role will be in that unfolding moment. We are awash in dire predictions from people who place far too much confidence in political strategies and the fleeting impact of those who “fret and strut their hour upon the stage, and then are heard no more.” Center us once more with the steady gaze of our Galilean Lord who urged us to stay alert for Your further instructions, and who has taught us everything we need to know when he prayed…*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Matthew 24 and William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”)

Prayer of Confession: Forgive us, Lord, when we cry out for the peace of God but neglect to rely upon the God of peace. We ignore Isaiah’s unflinching insistence upon justice grounded in worship, preferring that you to teach us your ways without our having to trudge up to the Lord’s mountain to pray. Despite the doomsday pundits and political talking heads, the prophet warns that only You are equipped to settle disputes among nations, not dependent upon the Pentagon’s war machinery but resolute that we should beat our swords into iron plows and our spears into pruning hooks. Help us walk by Your light and grant us courage to stand firm against the drumbeat of violence and hostility now fanning the flames of hatred in our culture. Amen.*(Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Isaiah 2)

Assurance of Pardon: I have good news, not to be confused with the daily clamor of tawdry entertainment parading as news but actual Good News: God will judge between nations, God will have the final word, and there is coming a day when no matter who occupies the White House the people of God’s House will no longer learn how to make war. Thanks be to God for speaking to us through Isaiah and all the other crazy women and men who dared speak truth to power, and may God have mercy on all the gutless wonders now flocking to embrace the false gods of wealth, arrogance and nationalism. Come quickly, Lord! (Mitchell Simpson, inspired by Isaiah 2)