Prayers for Worship
Lent 1
February 26, 2012

Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten

Call to Worship

Leader: Throughout these forty days, God,
People: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Leader: will be with us to spring-clean our souls, strengthen us against Satan,
People: and prepare us for the holiest of days.

Invocation

Mighty Fortress-God, through Christ you liberate us from the Evil One. Fortify us as we journey through the wilderness. In the name of Jesus we pray by the Spirit’s breath. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Leader: We are dust,
People: and to dust we shall return.
Leader: We are quick to sin.
People: We chase after idols instead of kneeling before God.
Leader: We make excuses not to help people in need.
People: We abuse the planet and the non-humans of creation.
Leader: We abuse ourselves with destructive lifestyles.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Christ, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Words of Assurance

God hangs the divine bow in the sky. Christ suffered for sins once for all. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven.

Prayer of Inspiration

Ruach, fill us with the Word. Yes.

Prayers of the People

Covenant-God, you continuously bestow mercy upon us. We praise you for the baptized. We thank you for the Church. We recall with gratitude renewers such as John and Charles Wesley, and hymnwriters such as George Herbert. Throughout Lent, nourish our dedication to you. Show us your ways, O Lord, (congregational response: and teach us your paths.).

Covenant-Mother, we exalt you for creation, including the seven billion people, and for our nation. Bless the United States and people the world over. Fill us with the wise compassion to take care of each other and the rest of creation. Show us your ways, O Lord, . . .

Covenant-Adonai, your healing power astounds us. Touch those in need, including all we mention now [Add names.]. Lift us up that we may stoop down to help others. Show us your ways, O Lord, . . .

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

You hear and help us. We praise you. In Christ’s name we pray. Yes.

Offertory Prayer

Accept our gifts, O Lord. Use them to reduce evil and magnify your love.

Benediction

Leader: During the forty-day odyssey of Lent, may God,
People: Father, Son, Spirit,
Leader: lead us not into temptation,
People: but deliver us from evil
Leader: as we journey
People: in the cross-shaped shadow.

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)