category
Search by topic, scripture, category etc..
103 Results in 114ms
Display
Sorted By
-
blog
MLK Day Prayers for Church Services: Liturgy & Sermon Resources
Updated for 2026. January 19, 2026 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day— the only U.S. national holiday commemorating a pastor. Under his leadership, non-violent civil rights advocacy achieved leaps f... -
illustration
When Evil Is Dethroned
Sometimes evil can feel so strong, so powerful, that its damage seems permanent and the final word on the subject. In this short excerpt from Philip Yancey, we see a reversal, perhaps a foretaste of w... -
illustration
Celebrities vs. Saints
The saints of the church flicker like candles along a dark corridor. They are not 1400-watt LED floodlights to blind you with their brilliance; those are the celebrities. A celebrity is a flashbulb st... -
illustration
See Something, Say Something
What is our responsibility to our neighbor? This is a question many have asked, including the Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas. Meditating on the topic he observed, “To patiently endure wrongs done ... -
Quote
If we acknowledge the God of the Bible, we are committed to struggle for justice in society. Justice means giving to each his due. Our problem, as seen in the light of the gospel, is that each of us o... -
illustration
The Message We Want to Hear in Church
Churches want to hear nice, optimistic messages, free of the mention of sin or a call for repentance. Churches want nice, lean programs, directed at nice, clean families, leading to growth without sac... -
illustration
Ain’t I a Woman
Few voices captured the brutal reality of enslavement as powerfully as Sojourner Truth. Truth endured profound mistreatment and indignities as an enslaved woman. A severe beating left her reliant on a... -
illustration
Preventing Vengeance
I did some of my Clinical Pastoral Education Units in Gastonia. One of the units that I served was the Emergency Department. If there was an incident that was suspected to be gang related, they would ... -
illustration
We cannot have true justice unless
We cannot have true justice unless it is motivated by love, just as God’s greatest act of justice, sending Jesus to die for us, was motivated by love. Years ago, before the emancipation of slaves, Fre... -
illustration
Dying from the Unspoken War Back Home
I was sixteen when a white deputy sheriff shot and killed my twenty-five-year-old brother, Clyde, in New Hebron, Mississippi, where we had grown up. Clyde had returned home from fighting in World War ... -
illustration
Love and Power
One of the great problems of history is that the concepts of love and power have usually been contrasted as opposites, polar opposites, so that love is identified with a resignation of power, and powe... -
illustration
A Short History of Christian’s Fighting for Justice
There are also many historical examples of Christians faithfully using political means to fight for justice and righteousness. William Wilberforce: Politician and Abolitionist William Wilber... -
liturgy
Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we
Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from You, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves, and apart from You. We have turned from our neighbors and refu... -
liturgy
God of all nations, Savior of the
God of all nations, Savior of the Church and Lord of our hearts: We come to You, at this time, with our hands empty and our souls crying out: “Lord, help us!” “Do what only You can do!” Change the cou... -
liturgy
God of glory, you sent Jesus among us
God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we... -
liturgy
God of grace and glory, compassion and
God of grace and glory, compassion and power—Father, Son and Holy Spirit: You meet us right where we are at—not asking us to put on any masks, false fronts or airs. You love us just as we are while a... -
liturgy
God of Grace and Power—our Friend, who
God of Grace and Power—our Friend, who sticks closer than a brother: You know when we screw up ...and You know when we manage to get it right. You know when we forget you ... but You never forget us. ... -
liturgy
God of justice, you repeatedly call us
God of justice, you repeatedly call us to action, but we so often fail to respond. Your word convicts us, demonstrating that inaction is just as sinful as the wrong actions. Lord of mercy, forgive us ... -
liturgy
Adapted from Isaiah 6:8-9
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go.” Lord of Hosts, you have sent us, we have said we will... -
liturgy
Adapted from Micah 6:6, 8 (Hill)
With what shall we come before the Lord And bow down before God on high? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require? To do justice, and love mercy And to walk h... -
liturgy
Good and Gracious Lord, You hold us in
Good and Gracious Lord, You hold us in the palm of Your strong hand, working all things for our good and to Your glory. There’s no place we can go that escapes Your notice and is hidden from Your lovi... -
liturgy
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: You taught us to pray not only for ourselves but for people everywhere, so now hear us as we pray for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord... -
liturgy
Almighty God, too often we settle for
Almighty God, too often we settle for brokenness in our lives. Rather than offering forgiveness, we hold onto offense. Rather than pursuing justice, we turn away . Rather than offering mercy, we c... -
liturgy
Almighty God, we settle for false
Almighty God, we settle for false peace. We see no need to rock the boat, so we allow injustice to rule and reign. God, give us the conviction to take on the work of peacemaking. Give us the courage, ... -
liturgy
Gracious God, you shower us with so
Gracious God, you shower us with so many blessings, yet we struggle to share them with others. You love a cheerful giver, but we sometimes give grudgingly. We forget that all we have is yours, and tha... -
liturgy
Heavenly Father We confess before you
Heavenly Father We confess before you and before one another that we do not always trust your goodness. We are worried about losing control of our lives, and we are scared of what taking up our cros... -
liturgy
Break Our Hearts
Break our hearts, Jesus That we may weep as You weep Love as You love Break our hearts Jesus and raise our voices that we may speak and act so all may be safe so all may have opportunity so all may k... -
liturgy
Call to Confession: The prophet asks
Call to Confession: The prophet asks the Lord’s people, “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.” ... -
liturgy
Kindness flows from you, Lord, pure and
Kindness flows from you, Lord, pure and continual. You had cast us off, as was only just, but mercifully you forgave us; you hated us and you were reconciled to us, you cursed us and you blessed us; y... -
liturgy
Labor Day Prayer
O God, Father of us all, we praise you for so binding humanity together that we must each lean upon the strength and labor of others. We ask your blessing on all men and women who have worked to build...
Page 1 of 4
Top_level_categories by Topic
A
B
C
- Called by God (2)
- Calling (1)
- Captives (2)
- Captivity (2)
- Care (1)
- Caregivers (1)
- Carrying our Cross (1)
- Celebrities (1)
- Celebrity (1)
- Chains (1)
- Change (1)
- Change the World (1)
- Changing the World (1)
- Charity (1)
- Children (1)
- Children of God (1)
- Christ's Resurrection (3)
- Christian Identity (1)
- Christian Love (3)
- Christian Values (1)
- Christianity (1)
- Christmas (1)
- Church and Power (1)
- Church Growth (1)
- Church Leaders (2)
- Church Programs (1)
- Church Unity (2)
- Citizens (secular) (2)
- Civil Rights (2)
- Classism (1)
- Cleansing (3)
- Comfort (1)
- Comforter (1)
- Coming of the Kingdom (2)
- Commandments (2)
- Commitment (1)
- Communion (4)
- Communion of Saints (3)
- Community (5)
- Compassion (3)
- Conflict (2)
- Conflict Resolution (3)
- Conscience (1)
- Consumerism (1)
- Conversion (1)
- Conviction of Sin (1)
- Convictions (1)
- Counselor (1)
- Courage (1)
- Covenant (1)
- Covenant Community (1)
- Covid Pandemic (1)
- Creation (4)
- Creation Care/The Environment (2)
- Crucifixion (1)
- Cruelty (1)
- The Christian Faith (1)
- The Cross (1)
D
- Danger (2)
- Darkness (2)
- Dead In Christ (3)
- Death (2)
- Death of a Loved One (1)
- Death of Christ (1)
- Debt (1)
- Decision-Making (1)
- Depression (1)
- Desire (1)
- Desires (1)
- Dialogue (1)
- Dignity (1)
- Discomfort (2)
- Discontent (1)
- Dishonesty (1)
- Disruption (1)
- Divine Intervention (1)
- Divine Love (2)
- Division (2)
- Domestic Abuse (2)
- Dreams (1)
- Dying (1)
- The Dying (1)
E
F
G
- Gathering (2)
- Generosity (3)
- Gifts (2)
- Giving (3)
- Glorifying God (1)
- Glory (1)
- God (2)
- God's Gifts (2)
- God's Goodness (4)
- God's Judgment (3)
- God's Justice (2)
- God's Love (1)
- God's Name (2)
- God's Nearness (1)
- God's Omnipotence (1)
- God's Omnipresence (1)
- God's Power (Omnipotence) (2)
- God's Protection (8)
- God's Provision (1)
- God's Sovereignty (2)
- God's Voice (1)
- God's Will (1)
- God's Word (5)
- Going Out into the World (1)
- Good Samaritan (1)
- Good Works (1)
- Goodness (2)
- Gospel (1)
- Government (7)
- Grace (5)
- Gratitude (1)
- Greatness of God (2)
- Grief (1)
- Guilt (1)
- The Glory of God (1)
- The Great Commission (1)
H
- Half-Truths (1)
- Hatred (4)
- Healing (6)
- Healing Blindness (1)
- Healthcare (1)
- Heart (2)
- Heaven (2)
- Help (1)
- Helping the Poor (6)
- Hiding from God (2)
- Hiding Our Sin (2)
- HIV/AIDS (2)
- Holiness (2)
- Homelessness (4)
- Hope (3)
- Hopelessness (1)
- Human Life (1)
- Humanity (1)
- Humble Living (2)
- Humble Service (1)
- Humility (6)
- Hunger (7)
- Hypocrisy (1)
I
L
- Labor Day (1)
- Law (Torah) (1)
- Laws (1)
- Leadership (2)
- Legacy (1)
- Liberation (1)
- Liberty (1)
- Lies (1)
- Light (5)
- Light of the World (1)
- Listening (1)
- Living the Resurrection (1)
- Living Water (2)
- Loneliness (1)
- Losing Control (1)
- Loss (1)
- Love (4)
- Loving God (1)
- Loving Kindness (1)
- Loving Other Christians (1)
- Loving your Neighbor (2)
- The Lord's Supper (4)
M
N
O
P
- Pain (1)
- Paradise (1)
- Pardon (1)
- Passion (2)
- Paths (1)
- Payment (1)
- Peace (12)
- Peacemaking (2)
- Perfection (1)
- Perfectionism (1)
- Persecution (1)
- Personal (1)
- Political Freedom (1)
- Political Leaders (2)
- Politics (5)
- Poor (9)
- Poverty (5)
- Power (3)
- Power of Prayer (1)
- Prejudice (3)
- Presence (1)
- President (3)
- Price (1)
- Pride (1)
- Prisoners (4)
- Privilege (1)
- Prosperity (1)
- Protection (2)
- Proud (1)
- Provision (1)
- Purification (1)
- Purity (1)
- The People of God (1)
- The Prophets (2)
R
- Race (4)
- Race and Reconciliation (7)
- Racial Reconciliation (5)
- Racism (6)
- Receiving (1)
- Receiving the Word (1)
- Reconciliation (5)
- Redeemer (2)
- Redemption (1)
- Refiner's Fire (1)
- Refugees (3)
- Rejection (2)
- Relationships (1)
- Reliance on Others (1)
- Renewal (3)
- Repentance (2)
- Rescue (1)
- Resilience (1)
- Responsibility (2)
- Restoration (1)
- Restoring Sight (1)
- Resurrection of the Dead (2)
- Resurrection to New Life (1)
- Revelation (1)
- Revenge (2)
- Revival (2)
- Right Relationships (1)
- Righteousness (4)
- Risks (2)
- Roots (1)
- The Rich (1)
S
- Sacrifice (6)
- Sacrificial Love (1)
- Sadness (1)
- Safety (1)
- Salt and Light (2)
- Salvation (3)
- Sanctification (1)
- Savior (9)
- School (1)
- Seeking God (1)
- Segregation (1)
- Self-Righteousness (1)
- Selfishness (3)
- Sending (1)
- Servanthood (1)
- Service (1)
- Serving Jesus (1)
- Settling (2)
- Sexism (1)
- Shalom (5)
- Sickness (5)
- Sight (1)
- Silence (2)
- Sin (2)
- Sinfulness (1)
- Sins (1)
- Sins of Omission (2)
- Sins of the Church (1)
- Slavery (2)
- Social Justice (8)
- Societal Problems (1)
- Songs (1)
- Sorrow (3)
- Sowing and Reaping (1)
- Speaking Out (1)
- Speaking Truth to Power (1)
- Spiritual Hunger (1)
- Storms (1)
- Stranger (2)
- Strength (1)
- Suffering (3)
- Sun (1)
- Superficiality (1)
- Surgery (2)
- Sustainability (1)
- Sustainer (1)
- The Sacraments (2)
- The Saints (2)
T
Top_level_categories by Reference