Scripture: Amos 7:7-17

Sermon: “Grab a Plumb Line and Live”

to download: 180715_0900

Prayer:

Teach us how to pray, O Holy One. We pray for David and Maggie and for firemen, especially the one who has died in NYC. We pray for the fear of what tomorrow may or may not bring. 

Teach us how to pray to do more than say we pray about these things. Should we pray for victims of fire, flood, and famine that they survive, heal, of find again goodness in life? Should we pray only for those people we know? Should we pray for ourselves that we do more than pray with words, that we pray to be a part of their survival,healing and knowing again the goodness of life? Teach us how to pray. Should we pray for a society and culture that doesn’t seem inclined to prevent abuse of the least of your children or creation? Should we pray for the strength to prophesy?

Teach us to pray when another’s hurt or peril brings us fear of the same. Teach us to pray when there is no fix – only and maybe guilt. Teach us to pray with sighs to deep for human words. Teach us to pray without words, letting the silence of God fill our spirits and hold our hearts secure.

Teach us to pray when we are exhausted with mounting needs around us, when overwhelmed with sadness, when angered by actions and the inactions of others. Teach us to pray, Holy One, especially when all we want to do is give you words.

Teach us, we pray.

Amen