Offertory Prayers for November 2009

November 1, 2009 -- Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
O God, you call us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We seek to focus on you as our highest priority. Help us to make lifestyle decisions based on your commandments. We, your kingdom-seekers, offer you this money as a means of placing you first in our lives. May these gifts provide ministries of love and compassion to our neighbors. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Mark 12:28-34)

November 8, 2009 -- Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Forgiving God, people give for so many reasons -- guilt, joy, obligation, gratitude, obedience, hope, control, thankfulness. Remind us of your call to examine everything that we have; after all, our money and possessions are really gifts from you. You call us to use them wisely, to share them openly, to give them generously. So thank you for this celebration of giving. Receive this offering and release us from the foolish temptation to believe that it is best spent on ourselves. Amen. (Mark 12:38-44)

November 15, 2009 -- Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Father God, we watch the news and believe that you were speaking to our time when you spoke privately to the disciples on the Mount of Olives. You caution us not to be led astray. We are trying, Lord, to keep our eyes fixed on you. We have worshiped you in song and prayer. We have listened for your Word. Now, we humbly place before you these offerings and tithes. May our resolve be strong to do your will and follow your path. For the sake of Jesus, we pray. Amen. (Mark 13:1-8)

November 22, 2009 -- Christ the King Sunday
Great and Glorious Savior, we listen attentively to your voice. We place our trust in your truth and grace. We generously give in gratitude for your truth in our spiritual journey. We pray that these monetary gifts may help others to see your kingdom, to draw closer to you, and to find ultimate peace. We pray in the name of the One who sustains us throughout life's journey, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Amen. (John 18:36; Revelation 1:8)

November 29, 2009 -- First Sunday of Advent
O God, we offer you these gifts and tithes. We pray that these funds may abound in love for one another throughout the world. Strengthen our hearts in holiness as we faithfully give, so that our ways may be directed by you. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. (I Thessalonians 3:9-13)

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 10-14-09