Prayers Sunday 2 February
4th Sunday of the Epiphany/Te Rātapu Tuawhā o te Whakaaturanga
Taken from/inspired by Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-end, Matthew 5:1-12 ,and the ANZPB.
Bidding: ...the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom
Response: …the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
[based on 1 Corinthians:25]
Let us pray.
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Lord God, teach us true humility;
may our communities reflect and enact your justice and mercy.
[silence]
Bidding: ...the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom
Response: …the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
We pray for your church.
Save us from worldly strength and shallow wisdom.
[silence]
Bidding: ...the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom
Response: …the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 5:1-10]
Lord, it is difficult to look at the world and remember these blessings.
Come, Lord Jesus.
[silence]
Bidding: ...the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom
Response: …the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Teach us, Jesus, how to live and worship without being worldly or greedy. Drive from our lives what spoils them and make us temples of the Spirit; for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
