January 24, 2010
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: Today the scripture is being fulfilled in our hearing.
People: The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, God’s baptized children.
Leader: The Lord has anointed us to imitate Christ by bringing good news to the poor.
People: In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, we hear the Word.
Leader: We proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Unifying Spirit, you have taught us through Scripture that we each have a manifestation for the common good. Grant us courage to share those manifestations with others in accord with the Good News. In Jesus’ name we pray. So be it.
We are attentive to the book of the law, hearing how we have sinned. We have a habit of ignoring the Word. We compete with each other over who has the greater gifts. We are divided, forgetting that we are one body. We neglect the poor, proclaim condemnation to the captives, perpetuate blindness and oppression, ignore that it is the year of the Lord’s favor.
For the sake of the Anointed Teacher, forgive us. Revive our souls with the teachings. Amen.
Go your way. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. We cannot adequately detect our offenses, but God cleanses us from our faults. All your sins are gone. Alleluia!
Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, our strength and redeemer.
Rabbi, you have blessed us with many gifts, all from the same Spirit. You praise you for the gifts of the many great members of the Church, including missionaries such as Timothy, Titus, and Silas; witnesses to the faith such as Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe; and doctors of the Church such as Thomas Aquinas. We are in awe of the abundance with which you have filled us. Your joy, O Lord, (congregational response: is your strength.).
Rabbi, we exalt you for the United States and humanity’s magnificent diversity. Bless our leaders with wisdom and purity. Push us to continue to care for Haiti and other people in need. Help us not to forget the need as time passes. Your joy, O Lord, . . .
Teacher, we thank you for Christian Unity, for making us one body. Lead us to live like the one body that you have made us to be. Your joy, O Lord, . . .
Teacher, repeatedly have you healed us. Heal people in need. Heal Haiti. Heal those we mention now. [Add names]. Tutor us to be your healing assistants. Your joy, O Lord, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
Receive these prayers, Anointed Adonai, in a way that glorifies God and serves all in need. So be it. Yes.
We present to you these gifts, striving for the greater gifts with which to praise you, including by helping others.
Leader: Three-in-One,
People: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Leader: has made us wiser this hour.
People: We leave to share the Lord’s favor.
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)