Prayers for Worship
Epiphany 4
February 3, 2013

Prayers for Worship
by David von Schlichten

Call to Worship

Leader: Today this scripture has been fulfilled in our hearing.
People: God, Three-in-One, gives us the love of Christ.
Leader: May the Almighty humble us so that we follow, not reject, the Savior.
People: We do not push you away, Christ, but draw closer to you.
Leader: God-Love is the basis for our lives.
People: Without it, we are wasting our time. With it, we have life supreme!

Invocation

We exalt you, Elohim, for your astonishing love. By the Spirit’s power, continue to teach us to live according to that love, responding to the Rabbi with greater compassion toward others. In the name of that rabbi we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

How we sin against you, Adonai. We shove you away when the teaching gets difficult. We are fickle in our devotion to you, now full of adoration, now thick with hatred or, worse, apathy. We obsess over stuff and our talents instead of on love. We are more interested in outdoing each other than in working together for your glory.

For the sake of the Nazarene, forgive us. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Alleluia! Because of Christ, God forgives you, regardless of the sin. Forgiven. Alleluia!

Prayer of Inspiration

Holy Spirit, through the Word, lead us to enlarge our love. Deliver us from wickedness. Yes.

Prayers of the People

Mother, we extol you for the Church. Direct us away from destructive competition and toward cooperation based in your love. In you, Lord, (congregational response: we take refuge.).

Sovereign, we thank you for your splendid creation. Continue to teach each of us that we are all part of that same creation and so should work together for the shalom of every creature, regardless of nation or species. In you, Lord, . . .

God, heal nations that struggle, especially Egypt. Hasten the arrival of peace to the Middle East. In you, Lord, . . .

Agape-Adonai, your love amazes us. Keep tutoring us in how to live that love and not just give it lip-service. In you, Lord, . . .

Recreator, we thank you for fun pastimes such as football. Bless everyone involved in the Super Bowl, that the event may be enjoyable and that we may keep it in proper perspective. In you, Lord, . . .

We find incredible your healing strength. Heal everyone in need, including those we mention now. [Add names.] Embolden us to help with the healing. In you, Lord, . . .

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

These prayers we send to you in the name of Christ. Amen.

Offertory Prayer

We present these gifts according to your love. Yes.

Benediction

Leader: God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our rock and fortress,
People: delivers us from wickedness.
Leader: We hear the Nazarene and respond with love.
People: We follow Christ, God’s words in our mouths, eager to serve.
Leader: Alleluia!
People: Yes! Alleluia!

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)