Pastorial Prayer 5-7

Loving God,

Your kingdom is so different from what’s valued in our world.

We worship riches and fame and power,

and flashy shows of strength,

but you say those advantages have no value in your kingdom.

You came as a servant, and call us to serve and honor others.

You say that in our weakness, your power shines through.

We prize physical beauty,

but the beauty that matters to you comes from inside.

It shows up best in acts of kindness,

in living with courage, integrity, and humility.

We praise the self.

We live as though the universe revolves around

our wants and needs, our potential, our success.

But you came to radically change our worldview.

You showed us how to honor our humanity

and find our freedom in you.

Renew our vision of your kingdom, Loving God,

and help us to seek it every day.

Teach us to care for the things of God and the ways of God

over everything that’s valued in the kingdom of this world.

Amen.