Prayers for Worship
Transfiguration Sunday
February 19, 2012

Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten

Call to Worship

Leader: God says, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”
People: The Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit, transfigures us.
Leader: The light of the Almighty shines on us, through us.
People: We have the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Leader: Alleluia!
People: Alleluia!

Invocation

Spirit of God, you have led us to the mountaintop and revealed to us Christ’s transfiguration, which transfigures us. Lead us ever with your theo-luminescence. Open us to listen to the Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Revealing God, we praise you for shining truth on us, even though we insist on trying to hide in the dark. You want us to live in the day, but we want to skulk about in the night. When we are on the mountaintop, we want to stay there instead of descending to help those in need. You urge us to listen to you, but we cover our ears.

For the sake of Christ, forgive us. Straighten us. Lead us out of the valley of the shadow of death.

Words of Assurance

Leader: Alleluia!
People: Alleluia!
Leader: Through Jesus, all your sins vanish.
People: Alleluia!

Prayer of Inspiration

Holy Spirit, through the sermon remake us with the Word.

Prayers of the People

Mountaintop God, we exalt you for the Transfiguration and all the ways that you illumine the Church. We praise you for St. Matthias. We thank you for Polycarp. You have filled the Church with a spectrum of Christians. Lord of All, (congregational response: be with us at the summit and beyond).

Mountaintop God, you have blessed out nation. We thank you for the entire human race and the whole creation. We praise you for our Presidents. Guide President Obama with your agapic wisdom. Lead each of us to contribute to peace. Lord of All, . . .

Mountaintop God, you are the mother of healing. Care for everyone who is suffering, including those we mention now. [Add names.] Fill us with your healing light. Lord of all, . . .

Mountaintop God, we look forward to Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday. We thank you for the opportunity for fun, and we look forward to the cleansing, focusing season of Lent. Lord of all, . . .

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

We know you hear and heal us. We praise you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Offertory Prayer

You bless us with gifts that we carry down to all in need. Yes.

Benediction

Leader: How good, Father, Son, and Spirit, to be here! You have transfigured us.
People: Be with us to help others as we enter Lent. Alleluia!
Leader: Alleluia!
People: Alleluia!

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)