September 27, 2009
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: Jesus teaches that whoever is not against us is for us.
People: May Christ guide us to accept the ministry of people we typically exclude.
Leader: God, the Father, Son, and Spirit, does not obsess over exclusionary boundaries, as we do.
People: Thanks be to the Trinity for including us, all of us, in the salvific love-plan.
Spirit of Eldad and Medad, rest upon us, that we may be your people who reach to outsiders, just as Christ has reached to all of us. In Jesus’ name we pray. So be it.
Sinai-Adonai, we cannot begin to detect adequately all our offenses, but we know that we have them. We put stumbling blocks before little ones who believe in you. We become like the Pharisees when it comes to determining who is “in” and who is “out.” We cling to that which causes us to sin instead of cutting it off. We downplay prayer’s power and so downplay your power. We are stubbornly individualistic.
In the name of the Cross-Bearing Rabbi, forgive us. Empower us to have salt in ourselves and to be at peace with one another. Amen.
Christ saves our souls from death and covers our multitudes of sins. The Savior has rescued you from every single one of your sins. The LORD’s teaching is perfect and revives the soul. Alleluia!
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, our strength and redeemer. Yes.
Lord of Moses, we praise you for our Jewish siblings. Bless this holy season. Wash them clean of their sins as they repent on Yom Kippur, and may we also repent of our sins. In your name we pray, (congregational response: trusting in your power.).
You have filled the Church with great leaders. Sometimes you surprise us by whom you call. We thank you for the brilliant Bible-translator Jerome. Teach us all to be open to your call and to give water to the thirsty. In your name we pray, . . .
Almighty God, we find angels fascinating. We marvel over your creation of St. Michael and all the angels. Help us not to make idols out of angels but to understand that they point to you. In your name we pray, . . .
Perfect Teacher, we thank you for the economic prosperity of the United States. May the G-20 Summit produce results that bring real relief to the poor. Push each of us to work harder to care for those in need. In your name we pray, . . .
Some tasks are just too much for us to handle. Thank you for sending us helpers, even if they are people we would not have selected ourselves. In your name we pray, . . .
You touch and heal people we welcome and people we shun. Descend healing upon those in need, including everyone we mention in our hearts or aloud right now. [Add names.] In your name, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
We know that the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective, not because of the one praying, but because of you, the one being prayed to. So we pray in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.
We present this sacrifice of thanksgiving for your glory and for giving drink to the thirsty.
Leader: The Almighty Lord, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is for us.
People: The Trinity welcomes us back and then sends us to have salt in ourselves.
Leader: God calls us to minister to others, even though we are unqualified.
People: We go to do deeds of power in Christ’s name.
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)