May 6, 2012
Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten
Leader: Christ is risen.
People: Alleluia!
Leader: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, makes us branches of the vine, prunes us to bear more fruit.
People: We abide in Christ. We live because he lives. Alleluia!
God of the Ethiopian eunuch, you are radically inclusive. You have made us part of the vine even though we are unworthy. In the name of Christ, cultivate us to do acts of love, remembering that you are love. Amen.
We thank you, God, for saving us through Christ’s death and resurrection, but we continue to sin. We say we love you but hate our brother and sister. You call us to minister to Ethiopian eunuchs, but we turn them away. We focus on getting for ourselves and claim we are bearing fruit. We try to cut others off the vine, even though we are not the vine grower.
For the sake of Christ, forgive us. Strengthen us. Amen.
Good News! Because of Christ, God forgives your sins, all of them. The Spirit strengthens you to bear fruit. Yes!
Spirit, through the Word, open our eyes, so that we can guide others.
We exalt you for the Church. We are never alone, never detached. You make us all branches, equal. That we may live like the branches we are, we ask you, (congregational response: guide us.).
Grateful for leaders such as Julian of Norwich and Nicolaus Zinzendorf, we praise you. Help us to be more like them. We ask you, . . .
Omni-embracing Adonai, you welcomed the Ethiopian eunuch. Enlarge our capacity to embrace outsiders, such as people society has abused and then ostracized. Teach us to include the excluded. We beg you, . . .
You are the God of people of all sexual orientations. We praise you for people of every type, male, female, and transgendered. Lead us to value each person. We pray to you, . . .
You are the healer. Care for everyone in need [Add names.], and magnify our ability to be your agents of healing. We pray to you, . . .
(You may add other praises and petitions here...)
We know you do not forsake us but answer our prayers according to your love. In the name of Christ we praise. Amen.
We offer sacrifices of thanksgiving to you, O LORD.
Leader: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, helps us grow.
People: We celebrate the Resurrection by bearing fruit. Alleluia!
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)