An Offertory Prayer

Lord,

We feel ourselves struggling every day, living life like it is a burden, incessantly worrying and trying to adapt to the values of the world: power, money, unqualified acceptance.  But you are the creator and provider of all things.  All we have to do is look to the sky to see your power.   Yet we respond with ingratitude and selfishness, with weak faith and doubt.

We find ourselves yearning to know you, to understand your purposes and our place in your master plan.  You provide us with your Word, passed down from ancient prophets and teachers, and even from the lips of Jesus himself.  Yet we fail to read it, and often ignore its advice.

So we need to call on you.  We cry out in our distress.  So you offer us prayer, and promise to always hear us.  Yet we fail to take the time to listen.  In the daily hustle and bustle of our lives we fail to prioritize spending time reflecting on your Word and seeking your will.

This leaves us feeling empty.  We search for purpose and meaning in life.  So you sent us the Holy Spirit, to counsel us and provide us direction, and to help us feel your presence.  And you made us your children.  But we examine our lives and find ourselves to be morally bankrupt.  We have a debt which can never be re-payed.  We are irredeemable.  So you sent the Great Redeemer and Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of self sacrifice.

At this time, let us respond as He taught us… with courage, humility, a gentle spirit, in worship, and out of our love for you and those around us.   This time, let us give anticipating the great miracles we know you can achieve by magnifying these small offerings of time and money we lay at your altar.  And at all times, let us keep our eyes on heaven, reminded that this life we struggle through is only a prelude to an infinite relationship with God, our Father.

In your son Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

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