21st Century Africana Worship Resources for the Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany, Year B

Gathering Meditation
(Based on Mark 1:40-45)
If you choose, you can heal me. If you choose, you can send rain to a drought and sun to floodwaters. If you choose, you can bring the proud to their knees. If you choose, you can visit this worship service and transform our lives. If you choose, you can speak with power and authority through the preacher. If you choose, you can lift untold burdens when we pray.

Like the leper who said to you, "If you choose, you can make me clean," Lord we have come to hear you say, "I do choose."

Call to Worship
(Based on Psalm 30)
One Voice: We just want to thank you…

Many Voices: For keeping us out of harm's way this week.

One Voice: Just want to thank you…

Many Voices: For hearing our cries for help.

One Voice: Just want to thank you…

Many Voices: For loving us when we think we're unlovable.

One Voice: Just want to thank you…

Many Voices: While we still have breath to praise you.

All: Thank you, Jesus, for blessing us.

Confessional Prayer
(Based on 2 Kings 5:1-14)
Too often I am proud like Naaman. I expect special treatment, special attention, and special privilege. I'm shocked when people, especially Christians, don't bless me the way I want to be blessed. Sometimes I'm offended because God instructs me to dip into a dirty river seven times when a day spa is just down the street.

(Short Silence)

Secretly, I have to admit that God's ways are better than my ways. Jesus, help me to move past my desire for special treatment.

Words of Assurance
God hears the prayers of a broken heart. Scripture reminds us that if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise as a forgiven servant of God.

Pastoral Prayer
(Based on 2 Kings 5:1-14) Lord bless my enemies…how difficult those words are to say. It's much easier to declare "others" as enemies. We create enemies in sports, enemies in business, enemies in love. "It's so easy for "others" to become enemies.

What do we mean when we label others as enemies? Does the label cancel our Christian responsibility to love those people? Does the label hide us from God's gaze so we can abuse others?

When Naaman, a high-ranking army commander suffered from leprosy, God used his apparent "enemies" to heal him. A captive Israelite servant girl and Elisha aided Naaman, while the king of Israel refused to help.

Do we "lay our religion down" because of our enemies? Or should God's decision to heal Naaman cause us to think otherwise and sincerely pray, "Lord bless my enemies"?

About the Author: Kwasi I. Kena is a former staff member of Discipleship Ministries.