Prayer of Praise    

Almighty God, you are the one who seeks to be our God, to rule over us with care and compassion.  You are the one who seeks to accompany us in life, to guide us and to instruct us.  You pick us up when we fall, you hold us up when we falter, you weep with us when we are saddened, you cherish us when we despair.  Wherever we go, whether we are alone or with others, you are there with us.

Almighty God, we know that no place exists where your grace cannot touch.  We know that there is no-one beyond your reach.  We put our trust in your promise that if we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ, you forgive our sins and you forget our sins.

Almighty God, in your wisdom you perceived our need for Jesus Christ, our need to feel his presence, our need for Jesus to touch our souls.  We know that we can offer love to others only because you first loved us. 

Almighty God, we gather in your presence with praise on our lips and thankfulness in our hearts.  We gather as your children, whom you have called to yourself and whom you hold as special to yourself.

May we be witnesses to your all-encompassing love.  May we be willing to serve you in a World that is in desperate need of your healing.  May we be faithful in our worship, never forgetting that you are our Creator and Redeemer.  To your glory and honour we pray.  Amen.

https://liturgy.slu.edu/ – Copyright © 2021, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved.  Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

Prayer of Confession  (Psalm 51: 3, 4, 1, 2, 7a, 9, 7b, 6, 10, 12) 

Merciful God, I recognise my faults, I am always conscious of my sins.

I have sinned against you, only against you, and have done what displeases you.

So, you are right in judging me,

You are justified in condemning me.

Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love.

Because of your great mercy wipe away my misdeeds.

Wash away all my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.

Remove my sin and I will be clean,

Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Sincerity and truth are what you require,

So, fill my mind with your wisdom.

Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.

Revive in me the joy that comes from your salvation and make me willing to obey you.  Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

We read in the Letter to the Hebrews that Jesus “became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him”  (Hebrew 5: 9b)  .  Having confessed our sins before God, and trusting in the saving power of Jesus Christ, we have the assurance that God has heard our prayers, that God has forgiven us, and that God has welcomed us into His fellowship.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Let us come before God with our cares and our concerns.

Loving God, we pray for the Church, that your covenant, which is written upon our hearts, may help us know you more deeply and guide us in serving you each day.

We pray for the grace of surrender, that we may let go of control, entrust our lives to you, and allow you to raise new life within us.

We pray for all who have faced loss, betrayal, or impairment, that they will surrender these wounds to you and allow you to bring forth new life in them.

We pray for the grace to be women and men for others, that you will guide us in laying down our lives in loving service and sharing our gifts to help others along life’s journey.

We pray for all who desire to see Jesus, that they may come to know and develop a relationship with Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

We pray for a spirit of repentance, that you will free us from our false attachments and sinful actions, and open us to the power of forgiveness.

We pray for all who lay down their lives for others, that you will guide and strengthen parents, caregivers of the sick, and those who assist the marginalized to be instruments of your love and compassion.

We pray for all who are recovering from storms and natural disasters, that you will protect them from further danger, give them strength to rebuild lives and livelihoods, and speed the assistance which they need.

We pray for all who suffer each day, that you will give strength to those with chronic illnesses, hope and courage to those who have been abused, and open new resources for those who live on the streets.

We pray for those who are sick, that you will send healing and strength to all who are ill or recovering from surgery and fill their hearts with hope and courage.

We pray for the successful rollout of the Coronavirus vaccine, that you will guide the distribution and administration of the vaccine, particularly to the vulnerable and to those peoples who are least able to access it.

We pray for all searching for employment, that you will help them to recognize all the gifts that they possess, open new opportunities to use them, and give them confidence in presenting themselves to employers.

[ https://liturgy.slu.edu/ – Copyright © 2021. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.]

Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care.  To your glory we pray. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.