April 1, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: Hosanna!
People: Crucify Christ!
Leader: Crucify Christ!
People: Hosanna!
Passion-God, the torture and death of Christ shock us still. Open us anew to this extraordinary story. Teach us to live cross-shaped lives. In the name of holy Jesus we pray by the Spirit’s guidance. Amen.
God, with our sins, we kill Christ. We sanitize the crucifixion, failing to meditate upon its ugly beauty. We fill ourselves with stuff, refusing to empty ourselves for you. We hasten to deny or betray Christ for the sake of our self-preservation. We shout “Hosanna!” one minute and “Crucify!” the next.
For the sake of the Messiah, forgive us. Save us.
Christ became obedient, emptying himself for our salvation. God forgives you all your sins.
In your hands, O Spirit, we commit our proclamation of the Word for glorifying God, including through healing the nations.
Our God, our God, you have not forsaken us, the Church. For the many ways you have empowered us Christians, we praise you, (congregational response: Lord of the cross.).
Our God, our God, your creation is inspiring, soothing, and exciting, and we are honored to be a part of it. That we may take better care of it, we pray to you, . . .
Our Mother, our Mother, we thank you for our nation, including our President. Watch over him and each of us. Lead us to bring shalom to all the world. We pray to you, . . .
Exodus-Elohim, we thank you for liberating our Jewish ancestors from slavery in Egypt. Bless Passover, that it may yield joy and strength for all of our Jewish siblings. We pray to you, . . .
We are in awe of the suffering and death of Jesus Messiah. During this holiest of weeks, slow us down to meditate upon the highest of sacrifices, ever praying to you, . . .
Our God, our God, you heal us. Touch all in need [Add names.]. Fill us with the wisdom we need to be your assistants in healing. We pray to you, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
We pray in the name of the Crucified God. Amen.
Accept our sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Leader: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, lead us.
People: By the Trinity’s power, we go to dark Gethsemene..
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)