Prayers for Worship
Pentecost 7
July 19, 2009

Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten

Call to Worship

Leader: The Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, sits us down in the green grass and feeds us.
People: God leads us beside still waters and prepares a table before us even when enemies surround us.
Leader: We worship in the Trinity's strong name,
People: thankful that we will dwell in the house of the LORD forevermore.

Prayer of Invocation

Unity Spirit, Christ has made us citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Build us up, that we may live according to the Christ-oneness. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

We praise you for feeding us mercy. Daily we fail you. We do not let you lead us. We worry about filling our bellies and not about the bellies bloated from starvation. We are curved away from oneness. We build up hostilities instead of edifying unity.

Through Christ's blood, wash us. Teach us to respond by praising you from A to Z. Amen.

Words of Assurance

The Shepherd has led us to refreshing, nourishing forgiveness forever. Even when deep in Death Valley in the middle of the night, we still have salvation from sin, all because of the Shepherd who is also the Lamb. Alleluia!

Prayer of Inspiration

Paraclete, teach us through the Word the wisdom of God so we can live the Oneness.

Prayers of the People

Green Pasture-God, you have led the Church with wise tenderness. You have graced us with leaders, including bishops such as Nathan Soederblom and missionaries such as Bartolome de Las Casas. Guide us to walk beside baptism every day. Compassionate Monarch, (congregational response: feed us.).

You are the Lord of our allies and enemies. Bless the United States and every nation, including President Obama, the Supreme Court justices, and leaders everywhere. Protect soldiers of all nationalities. Grant us the humility and courage to risk peace. Compassionate Monarch, . . .

Rod-and-Staff Adonai, you have touched us with healing of body, soul, mind, and heart. Bring healing to those we mention in our hearts or aloud right now [Add names]. Compassionate Monarch, . . .

You feed the multitudes. You give us this day our daily bread. Teach us anew that we have a responsibility to feed one another. Help us not to make excuses but to push ourselves to new levels of caring for the hungry. Compassionate Monarch, . . .

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

Lord of the Eternal House, we place these prayers at your feet, grateful for the myriad ways you nourish us.

Offertory Prayer

Leader: This was yours in the first place.

Response: We offer it back for your honor and for the healing of the nations.

Benediction

Leader: The Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has filled you up
People: so we can go and fill the world with mercy.

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)