March 25, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies, it remains a single grain. But if it dies, it produces much wheat,
People: thanks be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Leader: Jesus gave up life so we could live.
People: Through the lifting-up, Christ draws all creation toward life.
Son of Man, we exalt you for your self-sacrificing glorification. During these last couple weeks of Lent, intensify our passion for your suffering, death, and resurrection. Recommit us to you. Yes.
We have trespassed against you, God. We have been sinners since birth, infected with the Original Sin. Polluted. We are guilty of many forms of infidelity. We have cheated on you. We are unwilling to surrender our lives, to allow ourselves to die so that you can make us sprout new life. When people trespass against us, we are slow to forgive and even slower to forget, to cancel the debt.
For the sake of the Glorified One, forgive us. We are broken, contrite. Cleanse us with hyssop; create in us pure hearts. Amen.
GOD, according to the divine compassion, blots out our transgressions, remembers our sins no more. In God’s eyes, because of Christ, it is as if we had never sinned. Thanks be to Christ for the glory on the cross. Yes.
Spirit of the Melchizedek High Priest, teach us through the Word to live the Cross.
Passover-Adonai, without you, the Church would perish. We thank you for the Church’s many brilliant writers, including John Donne, who teaches us that we shall never be chaste unless you ravish us. Through Christ, (congregational response: heal us.).
We praise you for the Anunciation from Gabriel to Mary. What a miracle that was! Open our ears and eyes to Anunciation-moments, both ones we receive and ones we give, thanks be to the Spirit. Through Christ, . . .
Dying-Seed Lord, we exalt you for your mesmerizing creation. Bless the United States and people everywhere. Humble us to take better care of your creation, including by ending violence and helping the poor. Through Christ, . . .
Mother, you are the Healer. Touch all those in need, including everyone we mention in our hearts or out loud [Add names.]. Lead us to care for others in bolder ways. Through Christ, . . .
Com-Passion-Elohim, we are slow to forgive others and ourselves. Infuse us with the courage to forgive in imitation of your mercy. Through Christ, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
We entrust these prayers to you in the name of the Son of Man. Amen.
We offer sacrifices. May they delight you.
Leader: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has sown, fed, and watered you.
People: We die to live in accord with the Cross. Yes.
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)