PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
September 3, 2023
Greeting
The table of the Lord is set.
The food is prepared and ready.
And we are invited,
but not to a Pollyannish evasion of reality.
We have come
to capture a vision of life as it is
and what it is to become.
Penitential Prayer
Father, we know that Jesus called the Apostle Peter
“Satan” for refusing to face the Master’s imminent death.
Forgive us, Father,
for refusing to face the reality that we all are
moving toward death at every moment.
Forgive us, Father,
for saying, “Let’s change the subject; it’s
too morbid.”
Forgive us, Father,
for our lack of trust in Jesus’ promise
to transform sickness into health,
sorrow into joy,
death into New Life!
Blessing
Let it be known that God loves each of us.
Let it be known that all, therefore, are worthy of
each other’s love.
Let it be known that though we should die, we will
come to life.
Let this be known in Jesus’ Name.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
September 10, 2023
Greeting
Honor the Lord with your gifts!
Honor the Lord with your deeds!
Honor the Lord with your voices!
Honor the Lord with your very presence!
Penitential Prayer
Father, we confess that we so often make a mess of our
relationships with other people.
We may condemn unfairly by judging others before
we know all the facts.
We may be far too sensitive about insults and criticisms.
We may have harbored a grudge against a rival, a
relative, or a neighbor.
We may be refusing to speak to someone who was
once a friend.
We may be carrying a secret distaste for a father or
mother, brother or sister, husband, or wife.
We may be bitter against someone who cheated us.
We may have said we have forgiven, while in reality
we have not.
Blessing
May you be:
slow to speak
and quick to hear;
slow to judge
and quick to approve;
slow to criticize
and quick to compliment;
slow to condemn
and quick to forgive.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
September 17, 2023
Greeting
God sent His Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through Him
the world might be saved!
God sent His Son into the world
not to condemn us
but to save us.
Praise God for this Good News!
Penitential Prayer
Father, we confess the inadequacy of our love:
Scripture tells us You so loved the world
that You sent Your only Son,
not to condemn
but to save!
Father, truly Your love is vast
but mankind’s love is frequently preempted
by thoughtless condemnations,
by vengeful acts, by hateful
exploitations.
Father, forgive us!
Blessing
Go out into the world in love:
hold fast to what is good,
return no person evil for evil,
strengthen the weak,
support the poor,
honor all your brothers and sisters,
Go out into the world in love
and live as men and women in Christ.
PRAYERS FOR WORSHIP
September 24, 2023
Greeting
Happy is the person
whose God is Lord,
whose way is right,
and whose destiny is sure.
Penitential Prayer
Lord, we know that many times in this past week and
even in this past hour, we have sinned against You.
We have done those things that we knew were wrong,
and we have failed to do those things that we knew
were right.
Sometimes we have hurt other people and at other times
we have simply failed to help them.
Sometimes we have taken that which was not ours, and
at other times we have failed to share what is ours.
Sometimes we have been actively unjust,
and at other times, we have simply said nothing in the
midst of injustice.
For both the sins of commission and the sins of omission,
Father, forgive us.
Blessing
May you be
pure in thought,
courageous indeed,
steadfast in loyalty,
and warm in affection.
