Offertory Prayers
The offering provides a weekly opportunity to connect our faith commitment with our financial habits. These lectionary-based offertory prayers seek to encourage generous giving as a spiritual discipline. The prayers may be printed in the church bulletin as a congregational response or prayed verbally by the worship leader.
January 29, 2012 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Awesome God, you sent Jesus to teach people firsthand the power of your love, grace, and authority. Jesus washed away unclean spirits and performed countless other miracles so that even the faithless would experience your love. You call us to be mindful and vigilant of the extraordinary miracles that you continue to work in our lives today. May this offering undergird ministries that show others your miraculous love, grace, and authority. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Mark 1:21-28
February 5, 2012 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Living God, your love for us is so unfathomable. Open our ears to hear the cries of your neediest children. Open our eyes to see human injustice. Open our minds to think about compassion in all circumstances. Continue to increase our willingness to give so that we may lead lives fully focused on ministry to others. We place these offerings upon your altar in gratitude for your guidance and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Isaiah 40:21-31
February 12, 2012 – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Loving Parent, we are reminded that you sent Jesus to show your love and care to all people. Use this money to open people’s hearts to Jesus’ healing in the world. No matter how impossible a circumstance may seem to us, you can respond in unexpected ways and offer us hope and love. Thank you, God! Amen. Mark 1:40-45
February 19, 2012 – Transfiguration Sunday
Holy One, we seek your wisdom and guidance. Many people face growing economic uncertainty. The realities of the recession close in on our lives. We experience realities like job loss, deflated investment accounts, increased grocery prices, delayed retirement plans, and mounting debt. Lift us from the depth of self-pity and despair. Save us from overwhelming fear and anger. Free us from the bondage of money. We place this money upon your altar as a gesture of our trust in you. Despite challenging financial times, we give out of our love and gratitude for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Mark 9:2-9
February 26, 2012 – First Sunday in Lent
God of the ages past and present, you are timeless and eternal. You offer us today the covenant relationship that you first established with Noah. May we openly receive your powerful and timeless love. Pour out your blessing on this offering so that people throughout the generations respond to you with a resounding, “Thank you, Lord!” Amen. Genesis 9:8-17
March 4, 2012 – Second Sunday in Lent
Redeeming Lord, we find it extremely difficult to deny ourselves. Our relationships and our future aspirations often seem absent of glorifying your holy name. Instead, we deceive ourselves into equating good works with faithful discipleship. The Gospel reminds us that we are called to bridge the gap between casual commitment and true discipleship. We give this offering as a way to move toward closer discipleship with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. Mark 8:31-38
March 11, 2012 – Third Sunday in Lent
God of Grace, multiply these tithes and offerings so that this church’s ministry and mission radically change lives and create new evangelism opportunities. We pray that these gifts may help all of your children build a temple within their own body that brings honor and praise to you. In the name of Jesus who went to Calvary, we pray. Amen. John 2:13-22
March 18, 2012 – Fourth Sunday in Lent
God of Light, you gave us your only son so that we may experience eternal life. We humbly give these offerings as a faithful response to this gift. Money seems so insignificant when compared to your gift of life. Yet, we place this money before you as a sacrificial gesture of our gratitude. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. John 3:14-21
March 25, 2012 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Glorious God, you sent Jesus to change our lives in bold and amazing ways. Yet, we often are consumed by the pettiness of our own “to do” lists. As we place this offering before you, help us to surrender completely to your love and to be stirred into fruit-bearing action that results in faithful stewardship. In your holy name, we pray. Amen. John 12:20-33
New offertory prayers are added regularly, so please check back soon for prayers written for upcoming weeks.
Written by David S. Bell, President & Executive Director of the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.
©2012 David S. Bell Any local church, regardless of denominational affiliation, or any United Methodist organization may reprint any or all of these prayers provided that the author is cited.
©2006-2012 The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. All Rights Reserved This website does not attempt to make specific legal or tax advice. For advice on how to handle your individual situation, the services of a competent legal, tax, or financial planning professional should be obtained.