Prayers for Worship
Pentecost 15
by Ron Gordon

Luke 14: 25-33

Collect: 

Eternal source of all wisdom, you give us Jesus as your word made flesh 
and he speaks to us in ways which we sometimes find hard to understand.  
May your Spirit enlighten and enliven our minds to grasp the truth he offers. 
In our journey with him may we be free to follow, and free to love as widely 
as he loves, and free to face the costliness of discipleship: we ask in his name. Amen.

Prayer:

Good God,  the beginning and end of our existence, you know us through and through, 
and yet you make us the object of your love and give us knowledge of that love 
through the life, death and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord 
who offers us liberation  into the new world of your grace. Blessed is God forever!

Lord Jesus, your words are words of sober realism. You tell us that life can be free 
and full of joy, just as it may contain the struggle of everyday faithfulness 
when demands face us and when serious choices must be made. We aimlessly wander 
through life with an abundance of possessions which threaten to possess us. 
We cannot deny that the security of family at times threatens to overwhelm 
and imprison us. Lead us to your cross where we encounter the reality of the love 
which judges and saves us.

Spirit of God, you give us the insight to know Jesus and to follow his way. 
May we listen carefully to what he says, watch what he does, and seek your guidance 
that we do not hurt others, but seek to take them with us where you lead. 
We rejoice that you are continually leading the church of Jesus in his way 
and assuring us that God’s purpose will reach fulfillment.

When we lose sight of the vision Jesus gives us of a gracious God, 
and become ungracious ourselves: Lord, have mercy.

When we do not give priority to the words of Jesus which encourage 
and warn us: Christ have mercy.

When our minds are confused and we look for easy ways to resolve 
the tensions we face, give us the sober realism which counts the cost, 
and the grace to respond to you: Lord, have mercy.

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins. 
May we hear Christ say: Your sins are forgiven.   Thanks be to God.    

©  2010 by Ron Gordon (Used with permission)

give up
by Jenn Gordon
 
Luke 14:25-33

my arms embrace
a lifetime collection
of necessary nothings
but each thing connects
and recollects the other
recounting who I am as daughter
sister, friend and wife and mother
while
each day adds another
vital verse to the anthology
of completed works - by me
that no one else
will ever read, while I persist
denying or defying dying
maybe
and then there’s all that substance
I’ve hoarded for tomorrow
the ‘one day’ that I know will come
it fills my head, my dreams,
my home
what would it mean
to loose the hold
let go, put down, give up
and walk with empty arms
save for the cross of life-affirming death
that has been ours
since first baptismal breath

© Jennie Gordon 2010 (Used with permission)

(Comments to Jenn at jennieg@labyrinth.net.au.)