March 18, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: God, Father, Son, and Spirit, did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
People: but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Leader: Rejoice! Like the serpent in the wilderness, Christ is lifted up
People: so that we could live forever. Rejoice!
God of pink Easter dawn, we exalt you for so loving us that you sent the Son to save us. You have created us in Christ Jesus for good works. Lead us to do those works, our eyes on the cross. In the name of the Savior we pray. Amen.
We have sinned by speaking against you, LORD. We bite each other with our venomous selfishness. We are quick to complain about small problems while billions of people struggle with starvation, war, and life-threatening disease. We make Lent about losing weight instead of giving love. We try to hide in the dark of denial.
For the sake of the Crucified God, forgive us. Heal us of the bite of sin, death, and Satan. Yes.
Leader: Give thanks to the LORD, for God is good.
People: Christ’s mercy endures forever.
Leader: Through the cross, God has saved you by grace through faith. All your sins are forgiven, every single one of them.
People: We rejoice over God’s unflinching love.
Guide us to tell the story of redemption.
That we in the Church may keep our eyes and lives on the cross, we pray to you, (congregational response: grateful for you love.)
That we may rejoice over our redemption every day through loving actions toward others, we pray to you, . . .
That we Christians may follow the positive examples of martyrs such as Thomas Cranmer and Oscar Romero and teachers such as Jonathan Edwards, we pray to you, . . .
That we may care for children just as Joseph cared for Jesus, we pray to you, . . .
That our nation may help the poor, both at home and around the world, we pray to you, . . .
That we may celebrate spring by taking better care of your creation, we pray to you, . . .
That we may imitate your love for the world, we pray to you, . . .
That you may heal the sick, including those we mention now [Add names.], we pray to you, . . .
That you may guide our hands to help with your healing work, we pray to you, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
Hear us, O God, in the name of Christ. Amen.
We sacrifice thank offerings to you. Yes!
Leader: Rejoice, for Christ has saved you by grace through faith.
People: God, Father, Son, and Spirit, lifted up the Son for our redemption.
Leader: You have been set free to serve others.
People: We rejoice by serving with our eyes on the cross.
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)