January 29, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: The Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, makes us clean.
People: What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Leader: We know who you are, Jesus. You are the Holy One of God.
People: Heal us with your new teaching, your redeeming authority. Yes!
Pure Spirit, we praise you for filling us to be your prophets. Ever guide us not to lead one another into temptation and, by your power, to deliver one another from the Evil One. In the name of the Exorcist-Messiah we pray. Amen.
God of Moses and Joshua, you alone are God, and you alone save us. Every hour we sin against you. We allow evil to infiltrate us, puppet us, dominate us. We insist on behavior that leads others astray instead of doing our best to help those who are spiritually weaker. We puff up with knowledge instead of building up with love. We reject wisdom.
For the sake of Jesus the Teacher, forgive us. Drive the demons out of us. Yes!
Christ says to your demons, Be silent, and come out!” Jesus liberates you from your sins and the stranglehold of the Devil. Alleluia!
Spirit, we have gathered in the synagogue. Teach us the Teacher. Show us Wisdom.
Adonai, you have graced the Church with wise leaders. Whether we are in the wilderness or the Promised Land, grant us the humility also to be faithful to your teachings. Rabbi-God, (congregational response: teach us wisdom.).
You, God, are stronger than all the world’s evil, yet we are quick to think that evil is stronger. Show us anew that you are indeed mightier, so that we can spread hope to everyone. Rabbi-God, . . .
We find magnificent your creation. Bless the United States and every nation. Unite us all in efforts to take better care of your creation, remembering that we humans are a part of it. What happens to creation happens to us. Rabbi-God, . . .
Mother, many people are less fortunate. They are not as wise. They are confused, lost, easily swayed. Take us by the hand and show us how to help such people without being condescending. Lead us away from being judgmental. Rabbi-God, . . .
Ima-Abba, you touch us with your compassion. Heal everyone in need we mention now [Add names.]. Use us to exorcise suffering from one another. Rabbi-God, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
In the name of Christ we present these prayers to you, thankful for your responses. Amen.
Use these gifts, O God, to make us and others clean.
Leader: The demons shriek under the authority of Jesus Christ.
People: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, delivers us from evil.
Leader: Share the Good News.
People: We will strengthen the weak. Yes!
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)