Friday, August 16, 2024

We want to repay you for your faithful promises. Turn our gratitude to generosity, so we will respond to your goodness by giving generously to others. Bless our deeds, so they will benefit you and those around us.

Loving God, thank you for teaching us skills for living. We hear the invitation to listen to the wise and add their learning to our toolbox for right living. We humble ourselves before you. Grant us wisdom and self-control.

Today, we invite you to reread, rest and reflect on the prayers of the past week.

Lectionary Readings for Today: Weekly Review
Psalm 111
1 Kings 2:1-11
John 4:7-26

Loving Divine Family,

We enter your sacred prayer space as your children. You chose us; you call us by name as we draw close to you. We have many questions about what we must do to remain with you. You reassure us that nothing can separate us from your love.

How pleasant are the walks with you in your meadows, along your lakeshores. This is your sacred prayer space. You show us dragonflies feasting on other flying insects, fish hunting for food, and birds picking berries from nearby trees. There is no stealing or lying, no greed or envy. We see mutual respect, honourable giving and receiving, and perfect reciprocity. You tell us to be more like these.

We enter your sacred prayer space to seek your loving sustenance for our lives. We believe you are the Bread of Life, from God our Creator. But we hear arguments even from those in positions of religious authority that they do not understand how your words can be true. You meet us in our distress, reassuring us that you have all we need.