Prayer for Illumination
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus.
We have no right to come to you, but with every fiber we need you.
Let your words sink deep into our hearts, as seeds into the earth, and multiply from them a harvest to feed the nations, that all might hear of your glorious compassion. Amen.
TEXT
Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”
But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
NRSV
Prayer of Confession:
Have mercy on us, Son of David. Lord, help us. We have no right to beseech you, but we beg the crumbs from your table. Even a crumb, from your table, can feed all the earth; even a morsel, from your feast, can transform the universe. Have mercy on us, Son of David. Lord, help us.
Prayers of Intercession:
We intercede, Lord God, for those we know…
(Name your requests before God, concluding with:)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We intercede, Lord God, for those we know who…
(Name your requests before God, concluding with:)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We intercede, Lord God, for all your Church—all its leaders, its members, and its mission…
(Name your requests before God, concluding with:)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We intercede, Lord God, for all the nations of this world…
(Name your requests before God, concluding with:)
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.