Login / Signup

Free Access

Advent Sale - Save $131!

Wilderness God...

Intercession
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Wilderness God, I'm so geared towards success that I always try to sweep my failures under the carpet. I push those painful memories of hurt and rejection as far away from me as I can, and set about enjoying life. Yet you expect me to revisit those desolate places, to deliberately seek out the dark places of my inner being. How can I face the pain of that?

Wilderness God, help me to understand that it's only when I've allowed you to peel away the layers of comfortable self-deception, that you can find me. And help me to realise that the pain is nothing compared to both the amazing and everlasting experience of resurrection that it heralds, and to the incredible freedom that it brings.

Wilderness God, you expect me to deliberately seek out the dark places of my inner being. Help me to understand that it's only when I've allowed you to peel away the layers of comfortable self-deception, that you can find me. And help me to realise the amazing and everlasting experience of resurrection and the incredible freedom that that brings.

Wilderness God, we thank you for the Retreat Movement within your worldwide Church and for all who are able to experience something of the wilderness through a retreat. We pray particularly today for those churches situated within bustling city areas, where it is difficult to find moments of solitude and quiet. Give all Christians the courage to face silence alone with you, that they might also experience the overwhelming joy of your presence.

With Christians world-wide we pray especially today for your Church in Nigeria with Archbishop Joseph Adetiloye and your Church in Sheffield (UK) with Bishop Jack Nicholls.

Wilderness God, we thank you for all who are able to experience something of the wilderness through a retreat. Give all Christians the courage to face silence alone with you, that they might also experience the overwhelming joy of your presence. With Christians world-wide we pray especially today for your Church in Nigeria with Archbishop Joseph Adetiloye and your Church in Sheffield (UK) with Bishop Jack Nicholls.

Wilderness God, we hold in your loving and understanding presence all those who live in constant fear of death, especially those who live in war zones or areas targeted by terrorists. Give them a sure faith and the certainty of your strong and everlasting arms around them. At this approaching season of peace and goodwill to all, we pray for those with hearts full of hatred and thoughts of revenge, that they may learn the freedom and release of forgiveness. We pray especially today for...

Wilderness God, we hold in your loving and understanding presence all those who live in constant fear of death, and we pray for those with hearts full of hatred and thoughts of revenge. We pray especially today for...

Wilderness God, in our community we pray today for any who are forced into the wilderness because they are shunned by most people. We pray for any who are different, and for all who are lonely or isolated. We remember especially those who are vulnerable, particularly the elderly who live alone. May they be safe in their homes and look forward to Christmas love and cheer. In our own community we pray especially today for ...

Wilderness God, we pray for any who are forced into the wilderness because they are shunned by most people and for all who are lonely or isolated. We remember especially those who are vulnerable, particularly the elderly who live alone. In our own community we pray especially today for ...

Wilderness God, as we continue in this Advent season of darkness, we pray for those who are constantly in darkness because they are sick. We ask you to touch all whose quality of life is poor because of illness, and we bring them into your presence as we name them before you ...

Wilderness God, we ask you to touch all whose quality of life is poor because of illness, and we bring them into your presence as we name them before you ...

Wilderness God, we pray for those who know they have a limited time left to live on this earth. Give them the reassurance that there is life after death and that they will enjoy it with you. May they be able to use aright the time that is left to them, learning to love you more with each passing moment. We pray too for all those who have suffered a death of family or close friends recently, and we name them before you ... And we remember all for whom this time of year brings not the excitement of anticipation, but the dread of re-awakened pain because it commemorates the anniversary of the death of a loved one.

Wilderness God, we pray for those who know they have a limited time left to live on this earth. May they love you more with each passing moment. We pray too for all those who have suffered a death of family or close friends recently, and we name them before you ... And we remember all for whom this time of year commemorates the anniversary of the death of a loved one.

We ask these prayers through Jesus Christ, master of the wilderness experience.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 25, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.
Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?
1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL