Looking into the lectionary - Prayers for after natural disasters

July 27, 2025 Luke 11:1-13 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost During 40 years of leading ecumenical worship services such as funerals, memorial services and prayer gatherings, I learned to give all of the “trespassers” in the congregation time to catch up with all of us “debtors” and “sinners.” The use of “debts” versus “trespasses” versus “sinners” in the Lord’s Prayer is one topic that often arises when discussing Luke 11:1-13. If you’re engaging this Scripture at a Bible study, I recommend the leader investigate the increasingly common usage of “sins” in this phrase of the prayer. Two questions that I find are frequently asked are: Do we really mean it when we ask God to “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”? If so, what does that mean about our chances of being forgiven? Where is the doxology at the end of the Lord’s Prayer, not only in Luke 11:1-4 but also in Matthew 6:7-15? Neither Scripture includes the traditional, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” that Presbyterians are used to saying. While these questions frequently lead to rich discussions about the usage of the Lord’s Prayer in the church, they may not be the strongest foundation for a sermon. A preacher might find they have too ambitious an agenda if they tackle both these questions in one sermon. Besides that, as engaging as these topics are, they could obscure the meaning of Jesus teaching his disciples to pray in Luke 11:1-13. Praying as Jesus taught us Worship leaders frequently employ the transitional sentence, “Now let us pray the prayer our Lord taught us to pray,” referencing Jesus’s instruction in Luke 11:2. But what does it mean to pray as Jesus taught us? In my opinion, there are at least three options for interpreting Jesus’s instructions for our prayer life.   “Our Father, who art in heaven…” The first option, as practiced in both corporate and private prayer on a regular basis, is to use the very words Jesus taught (at least those recorded in Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 6:9-13, with the addition of the doxology).  ... Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Thank you to this week's writer, Philip Gladden. Order of worship — July 27, 2025, by Philip Gladden Holy dissent: Presbyterians speak out about the Trump administration’s policies by Gregg Brekke Ordination Task Force has a number of Book of Order amendments it will propose by Mike Ferguson O God, be near: A Lament after the flood by Teri McDowell Ott Want the worship resources for July 20, 2025? You can find them here. In four sessions, “Revelation: Professing Christ Today” by Mark D. Hinds seeks to create an inclusive environment for discussing and reflecting on the political ramifications of following Christ. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... A blessing for picking up the pieces Blessed are you, who pick up the pieces: who gather sticks and saw down limbs, who drag away the broken branches and rake up what you can amid chaos ... — Eliza Smith DeBevoise General Assembly committee publishes a resource to help Presbyterians confront Christian nationalism GACEIR document includes a liturgical witness against the growing movement. — Mike Ferguson Churches can endorse politicians, IRS says in court filing The IRS hopes to settle a lawsuit brought by a pair of Texas churches and a group of religious broadcasters over rules that bar houses of worship and other nonprofits from getting involved in political campaigns. — Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This "One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This" calls preachers and other church leaders to pay attention, show up, and work toward a renewed moral compass in our country and culture. — Amy Pagliarella APCU and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary launch new certificate program APCU and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary launch a 24-month hybrid College Chaplains Certificate Program. — By Beth Waltemath Growing in friendship and faith: Fridays at the library become more than lessons in literacy Language lessons spark a friendship rooted in faith. Don Griggs and his friend José read the Bible, share traditions, grieve, celebrate — and witness God’s grace. Presbyterians respond quickly and compassionately to rapid flooding in the Texas Hill Country A beloved Presbyterian ruling elder is among the victims of the Friday floodwaters. — Mike Ferguson For such a time as this Oftentimes, we read but do not act. How can we leverage our positions to thoughtfully expose injustice and protect the vulnerable, asks Teri McDowell Ott?