Been hurt by the church? 2 Tim 3:1-9

Father,

As we experience the worship of self,

The love of money, pride, arrogance and abuse;

Disobedience reigns,

Ungrateful, unholy, unloving, uncontrolled and slanderous;

People are brutal, treacherous, reckless, conceited and pleasure loving

We easily become uncertain and afraid.

And we easily become like them…

Teach us to avoid such people, not to admire them but instead to seek truth and commit to the outcomes of truth in our lives;

As truth makes us more holy like Christ

Amen

Follow a Leader of Holiness - 2 Timothy 2:14-26

Father, forgive us that we quarrel.

We have foolish and stupid arguments.

Our mouths are full of godless chatter.

And we are in danger of wandering away from the truth.

May ministers be holy instruments.

  Faithful with your word.

  Correctly handling it.

May ministers flee evil desires and passions.

  And pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

May we be kind,

  Not resentful,

  Patiently enduring,

  Gently instructing,

Waiting on you to grant repentance.

Scandalous Suffering (part 2) 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Father, give us faithful men and women to whom we can entrust the gospel.

May they be able to teach.

May they be

Soldiers, obedient;

Athletes, compliant;

Farmers, hard-working;

Willing to suffer.

May we remember Jesus suffering,

And that we suffer for the elect.

May we be willing to die,

Steadfast to endure,

Undenying in suffering,

Faithful to the end.

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.

Follow a Leader of Sincere Faith - 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Father,

You have promised and provided life in Christ Jesus.

You give to us undeserved grace, free mercy and sustaining peace.

Give us men of sincere faith to lead us.

Men who fan into flames the gift of God;

Who confront their fears;

And who are full of the spirit of power, love and self-control.

Remove leaders that are proud and self-sufficient; who sow hatred, licentiousness and lawlessness.

Save your people I pray.

Loving: the Successful Life - 1 Cor 13

Father,

We desire public esteem

We desire to be praised for our wisdom

We even desire radical generosity

But they are nothing without love.

We do not desire patience and kindness.

Keep us from envy, boasting, pride, rudeness, self-seeking, anger and hatred.

Make our hearts to delight in truth,

To always protect,

To be full of trust, hope and perseverance.

May we look not at what is temporary but at what is eternal.

May we contemplate the cross and your love that is the source and foundation of all love

For your glory alone 

Amen

Father my heart does not want to love,

  O change my heart!

People are often so unlovely, haters, hurters, enemies

  O change my heart!

And yet love must be possible.

You have done it.

You have commanded it.

You are love.

Soak me in your love.

Soak my emotions so that I feel your love.

And may love flow from me whenever I speak.

May I initiate love,

Be energised to love,

Act for love,

React in love,

And desire love just as you have loved me,

  O change my heart!