Prayers for Worship
Lent 4
March 22, 2009

Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten

Call to Worship

Leader: By grace we have been saved through faith.
People: This is not our doing but the work of Christ on the cross.
Leader: Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so has the Son of Man been lifted up,
People: so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Leader: We praise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
People: the eyes of our hearts on the cross at Calvary.

Prayer of Invocation

Jesus our Savior, you have rescued us from sin and death by allowing yourself to be lifted up. Lead us to hate the darkness and love the light, including by working to lead others to the light. In your name we pray and praise. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Adonai, we wander in the wilderness, impatient with you even when you rain bread upon us. We surround ourselves with serpents, playing with them and then complaining when they bite us. We hide in the darkness, telling ourselves that we are standing in the light. We are quick to condemn people, send the world to hell, even though Christ has come to save us all.

For his sake, forgive us. Lift us up. Rescue us from the fiery serpents. Lead us back to the Promised Land.

Words of Assurance

The pink grace of God covers us. The Lifted-Up One has redeemed the world, delivered us from the dark. Christ saves you from all your sins, provides the antidote for the venom. By grace God has saved us through faith. Our salvation is not our doing but a gift of God. Amen.

Prayer of Inspiration

Promised-Land Wind, through the Word carry us away from the night and into the pink dawn of Easter morning.

Prayers of the People

We give thanks to you, LORD, for delivering the Church from many troubles. You have filled us with holy guides, including Jonathan Edwards and Oscar Romero. We rejoice over you, (congregational response: for your steadfast love endures forever.).

We exalt you, Elohim, for putting your arms around our nation and the world during this period of economic peril. We know that you will endow us with the creativity and wisdom to help each other toward healing. We rejoice over you, . . .

We praise you, Creator, for the refreshing blossoming of spring. We find relief and inspiration in the melting away of winter. We rejoice over you, . . .

We glorify you, Papa Yah, for the many ways you heal us. Touch with your healing those in need now, including [Add names]. We rejoice over you, . . .

Eternal rejoicing belongs to you, Agapic God, for sending the Son to save us from death and sin. We cannot save ourselves. Christ has cured us from the poison of the serpent's bite. We rejoice over you,...

(You may add other praises or petitions here...)

We thank you, LORD, for your steadfast love, for your wonderful works to humankind.

Offertory Prayer

We offer you thanksgiving sacrifices and tell of your deeds with songs of joy.

Benediction

Leader: God of Light, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you have fed us manna and promised to be with us through the wilderness.
People: Your love is the antidote to Satan's venom.
Leader: We leave here, recommitted to Lent, preparing for the Three Great Days.

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)