Facing Fear - John 6:1-21

 Father,
Give us a sense of the greatness of Jesus,
That we might remember our smallness,
Even as we revel in his greatness.
May we not live afraid,
Instead
Enable us to live trusting your power
Repenting of our fears
Looking to Jesus
Amen
 

Confession - Fear (John 6:1-21)

Our loving heavenly Father
Our many fears display our forgetfulness of your greatness
Forgive us that we treat you as if you are
Small
Inconsequential
Trivial
When you are eternal.
Forgive us that we consider ourselves great.
Our fears show the folly of our thinking
Restore us
Forgive us
Remind us
Give us such a sense of your greatness
May we revel in your love for us.
And so, love you more
Amen 

Overcoming Trouble and Fear

John 14:15-31

Our Father,
We marvel that you would deign to dwell with us and in us through your Spirit.
Thank you that as a result we can live.
May our love for you bubble out of us
May our love for each other bubble out of us
May our love for the lost bubble out of us
May our love for the world bubble out of us
Thank you for the peace that you give which is made possible through your presence.
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.

Scandalous Suffering (part 1) - 2 Timothy 1:8-14

Father I am often ashamed of you and Jesus my Lord.

I am not willing to suffer much for Christ!

I need the power of God.

You have saved me and called me

By your purposes and grace

In Christ Jesus before the ages began.

Jesus appeared, abolished death

Brought life and immortality.

May we follow the patterns of sound words and guard the good deposit given to us.

Save me from a timid, fearful, ineffective and ashamed life.

Do Not Be Afraid - Luke 21:8-28

Father

We are in danger of being seduced and led astray by false Christs.

We are afraid at the potential pain that awaits us in the future;

Afraid at the persecution and the terrors of our world.

May we bear witness.

Secure in the knowledge of your deliverance.

Waiting for the moment when we see you.

May we lift up our heads,

Knowing that our redemption is drawing near.

Mark 5:21-43

Father, Jesus went with Jairus.

He turned around in the crowd,

He told her to go in peace.

He told him not to be afraid,

He told him to believe.

He told them to stop crying,

And he told her to get up.

Father may we reach out for Jesus

And not be afraid.

May we trust him when the questions rise

And not be afraid.

Amen