PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP July 3, 2016
Greeting
Lord, we come here to rest awhile . . .
to replenish our lagging faith,
to rejuvenate our sagging spirit,
to revive our lethargic love.
Penitential Prayer
Lord, we confess that we have been running hard in the race . . .
for respectability,
for power over others,
for material wealth,
for passing pleasure.
Lord, we confess that we have been dragging our heels in the pursuit . . .
of responsibility,
of service to others,
of spiritual treasure,
of the joy of Your new life.
Lord, forgive us for running hard in the wrong race.
Lord forgive us for not hastening to follow You on the road
to brotherhood,
to peace,
to the Kingdom of Love.
Blessing
Though our burdens are many
and heavy,
we are a light-hearted people.
We have the Lord’s Love!
That is our strength!
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP July 10, 2016
Greeting
“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
That is the cry on our lips, as we come to worship.
We want a compassionate Savior, a Miracle-worker,
who will listen to our troubles and make them disappear.
But, deep in our hearts we know we want even more.
We want to identify with the Master, in this act of worship.
We want to become His compassionate people,
His miracle-workers who will listen to the troubles of others and make them disappear.
Penitential Prayer
Lord, because of our lack of compassion for other persons, forgive us:
forgive us, Lord, for the times when we have heard
but have not listened;
forgive us, Lord, for the times when we have looked,
but have not seen;
forgive us, Lord, for the times when we have helped,
but have not cared;
forgive us, Lord, for the times when we have served,
but have not loved.
Lord, because we have not identified with Your compassionate sensitivity toward others, we are truly sorry, and we ask forgiveness.
Blessing
The lonely people …
they are all around us.
The love-starved people …
they are all around us.
The hopeless people …
they are all around us.
We must reach out to them now,
offer them compassion,
show them Christ,
and they will bless us.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP July 17, 2016
Greeting
Gather round, People of God,
and listen to the Lord and His Words of . . .
justice and mercy,
sacrifice and joy,
responsibility and freedom,
spirit and life.
Gather round, and take heed!
Penitential Prayer
Lord, You tell us, “Humble yourself before all others,”
but we are too obsessed with our own importance
to understand.
You tell us, “Whoever strikes you, turn to him the
other cheek,”
but we are so intent on keeping our guard up
that Your Words go right by us.
You tell us, “Sell everything you have and donate it
to the poor,”
but we are too busy applying for credit cards to
take much notice.
You tell us, “In everything you do, keep in mind
the Father,”
but the only time we can afford Him is an hour
or two on Sunday morning.
Lord, You tell us,
but we ignore Your saving Word.
Lord, forgive us for our arrogance.
Blessing
May the Father’s Power and Might,
the Son’s Love and Mercy,
and the Spirit’s Wisdom and Strength
inspire us to carry out our Christian responsibilities,
to partake now of the Kingdom’s rewards and to
share them with others.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP July 24, 2016
Greeting
Together in prayer,
let us proclaim our faith.
Together in prayer,
let us proclaim our love.
Together in prayer,
let us proclaim our hope.
Together in prayer,
let us praise the Lord.
Penitential Prayer
Father, we confess that our Christian lives are not what they should be. We confess that many things weaken our dedication and conviction:
When the going gets rough, we are quick to despair;
When the pressure is great, we are quick to attack;
When the budget is unbalanced, we are quick to worry;
When the temptation is great, we are quick to yield;
When the job is overwhelming we are quick to succumb.
Blessing
Protect your heart from defilement;
stand in the Light of Christ.
Protect your mind from negativity;
stand in the Light of Christ.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP July 31, 2016
Greeting
Glory to God on high!
Glory to the Lord of all ages!
Glory to the Prince of Peace!
Glory! Glory! Glory!
Penitential Prayer
Father, we confess that we are often taken by
fads and fancy;
we accept the words of self-proclaimed prophets;
we escape into the realm of mass media;
we are dazzled by plasticity and glitter;
we praise the trite wisdom of shallow philosophers;
we labor and save to serve our materialist needs;
we ignore our spiritual voice;
we listen to the super-hyped voice of advertising;
we search and search, but, alas we fail to find satisfaction.
Father, it is only through Your Wisdom and Love that we shall know peace. Father, please hear our prayer.
Blessing
Go into the world . . .
with new energy,
with restored faith,
with positive vibrations,
with abundant love.
You are the flock of Christ,
Go in peace and security.
