Gracious and merciful God,
you have warned us that, whenever
we worship idols instead of you,
we become more like the idol and less
like the human being you created
us to be.
Many are the idols we place our trust in:
wealth, fame, luxurious living;
traditions we observe for their own
sake, not for human welfare;
and glorification of ourselves rather
than you.
These idols, and others like them,
lead us to lives of torment
and grief. Do not forsake us, but
forgive us; help us worship
only you, O God.
Lectionary Readings
Ps. 135; 145;
97; 112
Neh. 9:1-25
Rev. 18:1-8
Matt. 15:1-20
Selected Verses
Ps. 135:18
Those who make [idols]
and all who trust them
shall become like them.
and all who trust them
shall become like them.
Neh. 9:17b
"…But you
are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding
in steadfast love, and you did not forsake [our ancestors]. …" [Ezra's prayer]
Rev. 18:7
"…As [Babylon]
glorified herself and lived luxuriously,
so give her a like measure of torment and grief. …" [A voice from heaven]
so give her a like measure of torment and grief. …" [A voice from heaven]
Matt. 15:6
"…So, for
the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. …" [Jesus, to those who asked why his disciples did
not wash hands before eating]
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