Originally written for use in worship on Mother’s Day/Festival of the Christian Home.
I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you.
2 Timothy 1:5 (Common English Bible Translation) -- Pentecost 17, Year C
God, the faith which lives in each of us first lived in others:
it lived first in our mothers or those who mothered us;
it lived first in the inspired writers of our sacred texts.
it lived first in theologians who wrote with impassioned pens;
it lived first in prophets who spoke the truth in love and with courage;
it lived first in friends who knew us well enough to speak honestly and to challenge us;
it lived first in in the Holy Spirit who is never far, and always as close to us as our breath;
and we are blessed to say that the faith which now lives in us, first lived in others.
With thanksgiving and celebration, we pray:
God, nurture the faith that now lives in us;
continue to send us mothers and theologians, prophets, friends, and the Spirit to rekindle us;
and as our faith lives ever more within us, help us to be theotokos, Godbearers,
nurturers and mothers, who give birth to a faith that lives in others too.
For this is our calling. For this is our task.
For this is what it means to follow our God in Christ.
Amen.
Kevin Goldenbogen, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, has granted permission for this prayer to be posted on Worship Words.
Kevin serves “an amazing congregation in the foothills of the Green Mountains of Vermont. He skis, climbs, runs, bakes bread, rides a red Vespa, and tries every day to follow Jesus. He is married to the perfect woman and has two boys who he loves beyond words.”
Permissions: this prayer is copyrighted by the individual author. Permission is granted for individuals and congregations to use it provided that credit is given to Kevin Goldenbogen (© Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, 2017) and to worshipwell.church. For questions about usage and permission, please contact Kevin at worshipwell.church@gmail.com.
