Offertory Prayers

The offering provides a weekly opportunity to connect our faith commitment with our financial habits. These lectionary-based offertory prayers seek to encourage generous giving as a spiritual discipline. The prayers may be printed in the church bulletin as a congregational response or prayed verbally by the worship leader.

July 18 - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Living God, we invite you into our minds and hearts in this hushed moment of praise and thanksgiving. We listen for your invitation to forget our daily stress and to unwind in your embrace. You enfold us in your peace extending beyond needless worries and everyday troubles. We worship you with these gifts and with spirits renewed by your grace. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, whose message transcends time. Amen. Luke 10:38-42

July 25 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Our Father who art in Heaven, you nourish our famished souls by listening to our humble prayers. We come asking, seeking, and knocking with the full knowledge that you are ready to respond to our supplications. You deliver us from evil by nourishing our hearts with forgiveness and our minds with understanding. You prepare a heavenly table for all who believe in the mighty acts of your Holy Son. Bless these gifts so that your children will feast at the banquet which awaits in your eternal home. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Luke 11: 1-13

August 1, 2010 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Gracious God, we have become anesthetized to the amount of greed surrounding our everyday lives. Our identities often seem defined by our possessions and lifestyle. Yet, we are stripped bare of our worldly possessions and seen equally in your holy sight. Release those temporal bonds preventing us from living and giving in ways that honor your name. We prayerfully dedicate these gifts to the work of your eternal home, a place of faith where our souls will truly rest. Amen. Luke 12:13-21

August 8, 20102 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Faithful Father, you ask us to place you first in all that we do. You call us to surrender completely to your will and to be obedient to your word. However, letting go is such a great barrier to overcome. We fool ourselves into the premise of being in control. Lift this barrier! Increase our hearts desire to freely provide for others in our giving and our serving. In the name of your servant son, Jesus, the Christ, we bless these offerings to your glory. Amen. Luke 12: 32-40

August 15, 2010 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

God of All, we are so thankful for this opportunity to give. Our joy is tempered by the knowledge that so many of your children suffer in war-ravaged countries and impoverished cities. Multiply these gifts so that those oppressed by injustice may experience your care. Awaken us so that our need to act faithfully against all injustice is reflected in how we speak and how we serve. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. Psalm 82

August 22, 2010 – Thirteenth Sunday
after Pentecost

Holy One, we commit these offerings and tithes with prayerful minds and quiet hearts. As we give, we also receive. Like Jeremiah, we know that in the silence of prayer you will enable us to listen to your commands. We are never too young or too old to seek your presence. This time of prayer wraps us in the comfort of your protection and care. Bless us as we seek to bless others in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. Jeremiah 1: 4-10

August 29, 2010 – Fourteenth Sunday
after Pentecost

Generous God, we humbly offer these gifts in response to your Living Word. You remind us that extending radical hospitality has all to do with your love and nothing to do with our social status. If we loved those outcast in our society like we have been loved by you, our world would be a place of true acceptance and abounding joy. May it be so today! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Luke 14:1, 7-14

New offertory prayers are added regularly, so please check back soon for prayers written for upcoming weeks.

Written by David S. Bell, Vice-President of Stewardship with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

©2010 All rights reserved. The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. This website does not attempt to make specific legal or tax advice. For advice on how to handle your individual situation, the services of a competent legal, tax, or financial planning professional should be obtained.

SPOTLIGHT

The Abundance of God’s Living Water

By David S. Bell

Imagine a less than full glass of water sitting on the table. If you are particularly thirsty, you may desire a full glass of water or perhaps even a refill after drinking the first glass. If you are not at all thirsty, then it may be a great effort to drink whatever amount of water is in the glass. Is there enough water in the glass? It depends. read more

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