Prayers for Worship
Proper 14
August 12, 2012

Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten

Call to Worship

Leader: God, Father, Son, and Spirit, feeds us for the journey.
People: The Trinity bids us to get up and eat.
Leader: Be imitators of the Lord, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
People: We who eat of the bread of life will live forever.

Invocation

Holy Spirit, it is so hard to do the right thing consistently. Heal us of malice and bitterness. Strengthen us to be angry without sin, to be kind and forgiving toward each other, as Christ has been toward us. In the Savior’s name we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Mother, we have sinned against you. We cling to anger, hang on to grudges, full of wrath and wrangling and slander. Forgive us. Help us to be kind to one another. In the name of Christ we pray, Mother. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Alleluia, God has forgiven you all your sins. All of them. You have eternal life because of Christ. Alleluia! Amen.

Prayer of Inspiration

Holy Spirit, through the sermon, fill us with bread, so that we will not grieve you.

Prayers of the People

We thank you, God, for the Church, especially martyrs such as Maximilian Kolbe. Continue to empower us to build each other up, emphasizing kindness over anger. God of Elijah, (congregational response: we taste and see your goodness.).

We are ever grateful for Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. Humble us to continue to learn from her how to be closer to you. Mother of us all, . . . .

We praise you for renewers of society such as Florence Nightingale. Bless everyone in need of healing. [Add names.] Embolden us to be gentle caretakers. God of Healing, . . . .

Lord, we are quick to lose our tempers and fight about stupid things. Grant us clarity and calm so that we can settle disputes peacefully and not act like idiots. God of Peace, . . .

Help us, Elohim, to feed each other. God of Sinai, . . .

We exalt you for the excitement and joy of the Olympic Games. Amazing! Care for every nation, including our own. Teach us to work together instead of trying to outdo each other in divisive ways. Mother of us all, . . . .

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

These prayers we offer you, confident that you will answer us in the manner that is best for us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Offertory Prayer

May our offering glorify you by feeding the hungry.

Benediction

Leader: We praise you, Three-in-One, for filling us with good things.
People: The service is over. The service begins.

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)