Prayers for Worship
Proper 17
by Ron Gordon

Mark 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23

Collect:
 

God of boundless grace, in Jesus we see your liberating power at work 
freeing us from the self-imposed ‘rightness’ of our religious deeds, 
which puts God in our debt and elevates us over others. Jesus points us 
to the inwardness of corruption and vice, and offers us and all people, 
the forgiveness of sin in the new day which dawns in him.  
This is truly an unlimited free gift of our glorious God:  
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer:
 

Eternal God, the giver of law to guide our feet into your ways, 
in the fullness of time you have given us your Son who is the very fulfilment 
of Law and Prophets. His words are life and health to us for he considered 
human need his priority, and he gave himself in healing and teaching 
and in questioning those who imposed their understanding on others. 
By his life and death he revealed the depths of human wickedness 
and the abundance of your saving grace. Therefore you raised him to the heights.

Lord Jesus, you do not allow us to hide under our religious pretensions, 
but you call us to live out in the sunshine of God’s grace, 
free from the captivity of delusions, and free from the struggle 
to make ourselves better than others.  Lord, have mercy.

Spirit of God, you speak the truth to our hearts about ourselves, 
and when that becomes hard to bear, you remind us of the grace 
of our Lord Jesus who gave himself to us and for us. Christ have mercy.

Father, your love for us knows no limits, your gifts are free for all, 
and you offer us new life in Christ each day. Lord, have mercy.

Your words of grace assure us of your forgiveness, and you sustain us, 
Glorious God, as your people in the world. To you be praise forever and ever. Amen.

© 2009 Ron Gordon (used with permission)

heart song
by Jenn Gordon
 
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

o heart, beware the beguiling game
where surface questions seek to frame
a simpler answer in the name
of love

look deep beneath distracting lights
into the stillness of soul’s night
where wrapped in darkness truth ignites
with love

and beating steady, sure and strong
sing slowly your subversive song
whose Word is spoken ages long
in love

don’t jump to judge the outward sign
or wield the law as sword divine
what matters is that grace entwine
with love

o heart, beware the beguiling game
where surface questions seek to frame
a simpler answer in the name
of love

(Comments to Jenn at jennieg@labyrinth.net.au.)