January 22, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent, and believe in the Good News.
People: Jesus calls us.
Leader: Christ says, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”
People: Immediately we leave our nets and follow the Messiah.
We thank you, Jesus, for catching us. Fill us with the courage to fish for people. Empower us to travel even to Nineveh to do your work. Yes.
God, you long to show us mercy. We have sinned against you in words, actions, and thoughts. You call us to follow you, but we hesitate to drop everything, are reluctant to commit to you fully. We have been hasty with rejecting people as our enemies. We hunger for exacting revenge instead of showing mercy.
For the sake of our Savior, forgive us. Lead us. Amen.
Alleluia! God alone is our rock and salvation. Just as the Almighty forgave Nineveh, so also does the Almighty forgive you and me. We are set free from entrammeling sin.
Holy Spirit, through our Word-preaching, teach us to share your mercy. Yes.
We exalt you, Adonai, for the Church, future, present, and past. You have granted us missionaries such as Timothy, Titus, and Silas. You have blessed us with witnesses such as Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe. You have led us with geniuses such as Thomas Aquinas. Compassionate God, (congregational response: you liberate us.).
Mother, you have given us a great nation and an astonishing planet. Bless Barack Obama and all rulers. Grant Iraq a lasting peace. Humble us to care for the non-human parts of creation. Save us humans from being sinfully self-centered. Compassionate God, . . .
Rock and Salvation, you heal us. Heal everyone in need. [Add names]. Strengthen us to help care for each other. Compassionate God, . . .
Gentle Ima, just as you ordered Jonah to care for his enemies, you order us to do likewise. Fill us with the humble boldness needed to care for those who have tried to kill us, those who vow to hate us. Compassionate God, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
Receive our prayers in the name of Christ. Amen.
We present to you a portion of the riches you have entrusted to us.
Leader: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has sprung you free and sent you out.
People: We enter the week with holy, freeing nets. Yes!
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)