June 17, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, lead us by the hand.
People: Teach us cross-shaped love.
Leader: Cultivate us, water us, make us grow.
People: Raise us to bear fruit. Yes!
Abba, we exalt you for the seeds you sow and the growth you produce. Show us, in the name of Jesus, how to be better farmers for you. By the Spirits power we pray. Amen.
Repeatedly have we sinned against you, Mercy-God. We persist in regarding others from a human point of view instead of from a Christ point of view. We insist on allowing ourselves to wither instead of flourish. We try to live on and produce hatred, bitterness, prejudice, and self-righteousness instead of living on and producing your love. We wither, rooted in selfishness. We lack confidence in you and so dry up.
For the sake of Christ, forgive us, revive us. Rain on us. Yes.
Alleluia, because of Christ, God forgives you all of your sins. You are alive. Flourish! Alleluia!
Holy Spirit, through the sermon, fertilize our confidence.
Daddy, we thank you for fathers and other father-figures. May we always honor them, and may they ever be caring, compassionate, and responsible parents. Source of Confidence, (congregational response: you make us new.).
We are ever grateful for the Church, future, past, and present. We are quick to grow discouraged. Continue to encourage us, assuring us that, because of you, the Church will always yield extraordinary crops. Source of Confidence, . . .
Ima, we thank you for our nation, the United States. Persist in teaching us the wisdom to value caring for the needy over subduing our enemies. Source of Confidence, . . .
God of cornucopious life, summer is almost here. Yes. We love it! Keep us safe from heat and other dangerous weather. Guide us to use vacation time as sabbath time. Source of Confidence, . . .
The healing you show us is astounding. Heal those in need [Add names}, and continue to train us to assist you in the healing. Source of Confidence, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
You hear us, you make us flourish. We know it! In the name of Christ we praise. Amen.
May these gifts help to feed the hungry.
Leader: We leave the service to be bread for the world
People: in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yes!
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)