Prayer of Praise

(from Leading Intercessions p33, The Book of Worship p213, Invocations p41 & 42, Opening Prayers p92, An Australian Prayer Book p246, Uniting in Worship red book p207, and Prayers for God’s People p159) 

  Almighty God, we come before you with gratitude for your love and goodness towards us. 

We give thanks for your grace towards us that exceeds what we could ever hope for or ask.  We are humbled by the gift of Jesus Christ, your only son, who through obedience to your will, gave his life for our sins, gave his life to redeem us so that we can be in close fellowship with you. 

  Almighty God, you seek those who are lost and deserted, those who are hungry for spiritual healing and wholeness, to bring them back to a right relationship with you, for no other reason than because your love is so real and inexhaustible.  There is no-one to whom we can compare you, there is no substitute for you, no alternative to your creative and saving power.

  Almighty God, you continue to bless us and to provide for our needs.  You lift up our spirits when we are sorrowful and concerned.  You strengthen us in times of heartache and trouble.  Your word to us is totally trustworthy.  Your promises are absolutely dependable.  You are the source of our hope and comfort in this life and in the promised life beyond time and space.

  It is to you, Almighty God, that we offer our praise and worship, now and always.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession 

(from Ephesians 4: 17 to 32) 

Merciful God, we confess to how easy it is to be drawn into ‘worldly lifestyles’.

We confess to thoughts and behaviours that are not consistent with a life dedicated to you.

We confess to being less than truthful in the words we speak to others.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to becoming angry with people with disregard to their equal dignity and worth.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to the use of harmful words that do nothing to build up our relationships with others.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to harbouring bitter feelings about the way we have been treated by others that hinder our willingness to forgive and forget.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to resorting to insults when we should be striving for reconciliation.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to hearts that are cold towards the needs of others, forgetting that you call us to be kind and tender-hearted.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to a stubbornness of will, when we should be guided by your will and purpose for us.

Merciful God, forgive us.

We confess to a desire for the transient pleasures of the World, neglecting to strive for that which is worthy, good and pure.

Merciful God, forgive us.

With shame we confess to careless thoughts and to actions that lack integrity.

Merciful God, forgive us.

Mould us with your Spirit so that all our dealings are carried out honestly and ethically.

Instruct us with your Spirit so that our words bring grace to those who hear them.

Renew us with your Spirit so that our words and actions bring you pleasure and not pain.

Guide us and direct us, so that our lives can be channels through which you are able to bring healing and wholeness to others.  For this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.  Amen.

  (Moira Laidlaw in Liturgies Online Year B Pentecost 11)

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from Psalm 130: 3 and 4) 

The Psalmist writes of God’s willingness to forgive us when we cry to Him for help in the depths of our despair over our sins.  Let us, then, hold onto that promise, trusting that God listens to our call, that through His grace God forgives us, and that though his love for us God redeems us and restores our relationship with Him. 

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

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

Almighty God, we pray for the Church, that we will find nourishment and sustenance in Christ, the Bread of Life, for our daily journey and for the fulfillment for all the hungers and yearnings of our hearts.  Grant to your Church a unity of purpose, free from malice and dissension.

We pray for the ability to imitate Christ, that we may put on the mind and heart of Christ and be empowered to show compassion and forgiveness to others.

We pray for the grace to encounter Christ, that we may recognize Christ in each person that we meet and show them dignity and respect.

We pray for the grace to forgive, that, having experienced your generous forgiveness to us, we may be free to forgive all who have wronged us.

We pray for a new vision of our life journey, that we may be open to the vision you hold for us and that we may be free to rely upon you as we encounter trials, struggles, and doubts.

We pray for a transformation of our minds and hearts, that the Holy Spirit will free us from all bitterness and anger and guide us in living as your children each day.

We pray for all who have been wounded by the anger and malice of others, that God will heal their hearts, renew their spirits, and free them to live life fully.

We pray for healing of racism, that the Holy Spirit will open us to the prejudice and discrimination that exists within us and in the society around us so that we may promote greater justice and understanding.

We pray for strength to fulfill our responsibilities, that we may lay down our lives in sacrificial love to those to whom we are committed and for those who have been entrusted to our care.

We pray for those who have been evicted from their homes or who are facing eviction, that you will move leaders to act to protect them and free up the needed resources for their safe shelter and food.

We pray for greater respect for human life, that you will move hearts from seeking revenge to a seeking for compassion.

We pray for an end to the exploitation of the poor and powerless by those who are greedy for wealth and a life of privilege and pleasure.

We pray for an end to nuclear proliferation, that you will show us the true destructive power of nuclear weapons and inspire us to protect the earth for future generations.

We pray that you will direct the Leaders of Nations in the search for justice and peace, reminding them that nothing is ultimately gained through violence and provocation.

We pray for the sick and ill, that they may be restored to wholeness and wellbeing.  Guide those searching for remedies for cancer and debilitating illnesses, that they will be successful in finding the means to lessen those who are suffering.

We pray for your mercy on those whose lives are twisted by bitterness.  Give them the peace of mind and spirit which will free them to forgive others and relieve them to move positively into the future.

We pray for relief from wildfires and drought, that you will help all who are fighting the wildfires, give strength to those who have evacuated, and send rain to relieve the areas suffering from drought.

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

(also from Leading Intercessions by Raymond Chapman p73 & 74, and Prayers for the Seasons of God’s People Year B by David Hostetter p164)

We pray that you will strengthen those who are responsible for the efforts to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic.  Guide our political leaders so that they will know the best advice to give to people so as to lessen the spread of the virus amongst the community.

We pray that individuals in our communities will heed the advice given to them to restrict movement and contact with others to lessen the current spread of infections.

We pray for an end to vaccine hesitancy, that all people, regardless of race or religion or culture or social outlook, will cooperate and choose to work together to end transmission.

We pray for guidance for scientists and medical staff investigating vaccinations that they will develop effective treatments to the virus and its developing strains.

We pray for your protection for the young, the elderly and the medically vulnerable, that they will not be placed in a situation from where they may become infected by the virus.

We pray that you will heal those who are suffering from being infected by the virus, that they will be not suffer for long nor have any lasting effects.

We pray for those tending the sick and seriously ill from the virus, that you will give them the strength to proficiently provide effective medical care, and that you will keep them safe from harm and illness and infection themselves.

We pray for businesses that are struggling to earn enough income to meet their expenses because of the recurrence of social lockdowns.  Please provide for them the means to retain their business, now and into the future.

We pray for those who are struggling to meet their rental payments.  Please give their landlords compassion in their dealings, a clear decision not to evict those who currently cannot make sufficient repayments, and the knowledge that you will repay their kindness to others many times over.

We pray for school students unable to attend school, that their will not be any detriment to their ongoing education and learning.

We pray for teachers, that they will know how best to remain in contact with children who are learning from home.

We pray for cooperate between Nations, that, worldwide, there is a working together to deal with the effects of the virus and the development of plans to stop its spread.

We pray that sufficient quantities of effective vaccines are produced to deal with the virus and its developing strains.  We pray that those nations that can afford to purchase large quantities of vaccines will continue to generously donate sufficient amounts to other nations so that their peoples may also be provided with sufficient doses.

We pray that we may all learn from this experience of living through a pandemic, that it is better to work with others to handle the crisis rather than to think and act only for yourself.  But, more importantly, may we strive to depend upon your care and guidance and understanding, so that future epidemics such as the current one do not occur.

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.