Prayer for August 30, 2009 Mark 7 "Giving Lip Service"

Dearest Lord, there are days when we search for the right words to express what is in our hearts. Sometimes it feels like our prayers are just a muddle of thoughts, wishes, hopes, and complaints. We try to be clear. We try to remember to be thankful first and foremost, but are aware that very often our prayers begin with the word HELP. We sing your praises in our hymns; we lift up the names of those who are in our hearts; we ponder the scriptures to interpret your will for us and we carry your grace with us as we depart. In worship we honor you with our lips, but we desire to honor you by our actions. Free our hearts, O God, from vanity and jealousy, from feeling slighted or left out. Let that free space be filled with patience, understanding, and maturity and we shall, in that moment indeed, recognize and embrace the indwelling of your most Holy Spirit. Then, certainly grace will be upon our lips. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.