Offertory Prayers for July 2009

July 5, 2009 -- Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Powerful God, multiply these gifts so that our faith community is empowered to minister to the needs of your children. Often our ministry is focused on global outreach and mission needs. However, in today's gospel reading, you remind us to be ministers to our family, friends, and one another. We are secure in knowing that by serving our brothers and sisters locally and globally, we serve you faithfully. Accept these gifts, in Jesus' name. Amen. (Mark 6:1-13)

July 12, 2009 -- Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Blessed One, you offer a redemptive inheritance sometimes beyond our imagination. You graciously bestow each of us with your wisdom, grace, forgiveness, and love. Joyously, we share these tithes and offerings. As you call us to give, you remind us to place our hopes and dreams in your love and grace. Thank you, God, for giving us your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We pray in His name. Amen. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

July 19, 2009 -- Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Glorious God, we like to practice random acts of kindness. Your Word even confirms that we further your kingdom when we show kindness and compassion to another person. We pray that Jesus' life and teaching may be our example for sharing intentionally our talents, prayers, time, and offerings. We humbly give this offering as an expression of our faith. Amen. (Mark 6:30-34, 53-56)

July 26, 2009 -- Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Awesome God, Jesus fed thousands of people with seemingly little effort. Yet, we have grave difficulty feeding children in our own country -- let alone the entire world. Even while we are praying this prayer, someone has died from starvation and the lack of food. When we share resources with care-giving ministries, your hand is upon our shoulders, just like it was upon Jesus' shoulders the day he fed his followers. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to change lives by becoming generous caregivers of the resources that you first gave to us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (John 6:1-21)

Written by David S. Bell, former Director of Stewardship with GBOD. He currently serves as Vice-President of Stewardship with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. You may contact him by visiting www.DavidSBell.org.

Copyright 2009 David S. Bell. Any local church, regardless of denominational affiliation, or any United Methodist organization may reprint any or all of these prayers provided that the author is cited.

Posted 6-12-09