Pastoral Prayer: Transform Us

Here’s a beautiful prayer of intercession and commitment.  It was written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Sunday Prayer

Holy and Gracious God
We give you thanks for the gift of life
for the gift of your Son
for the gift of the Holy Spirit

Lead us through the trials
the suffering and sorrow
the challenges and struggles
the tired times and dark places

Be with those who weep
or cannot sleep
who have no peace
who seek release

Lead us
with grace
with love
with peace

Fill us
with hope
with patience
with stamina

Transform us
in your image
in your Son
in your Name

Transform us
to grow
to understand
to see

Transform us
that we
can be
made whole

And in wholeness
may we
be
the hands and heart of Christ.

Amen.

— written by Terri (2009) and posted on the RevGalBlogPals website.  

For other prayers on this blog, see the Scriptural Prayer Index at the upper right side of the page.


Confession: Prayer for the Journeyers

Here’s a lovely prayer of confession and commitment written by William Loader.

A Prayer for the Journeyers

O God,
Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.

You are beyond our busy imaginings,
far above our elevated constructions of thought.

Yet you meet us in the dust.
Your footprints cross ours.
Behind us and before us you tread the path,
you lead the way,
you exult,
you bow low,
you lift us up.

You look upon us through the face of the poor;
you bless us in the nurture of friendship;
you challenge us in the cries for justice
and the weeping for hope.

Yoked to Jesus your Son,
joined in oneness with yourself,
we strain against your direction
and we know ourselves irksome;
summoned to follow your way,
we burden ourselves and others;
asked to stand up,
we cower in our own inadequacy
and our own discrediting.

Forgive us the wrongs we have done
to others, to ourselves, to you.

Forgive us our bondage to fixed patterns
when they no longer serve you;
our surrender to newness when newness is folly;
our failure to listen to the old people of this land
and the old and new who are hurting
and hidden beyond our preoccupations.

Lift us from our fear that we may see your vision
know your wisdom
and find our rest in you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Jesus said: Come to me all you who are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens
and I will give you rest.

— written by William Loader, and posted on Bill Loader’s Home Page. Visit that site for many other thoughtful worship resources.

Opening Prayer: Into Your Presence

Here is a simple but beautiful opening prayer, written by John Birch and posted on his Faith and Worship website.

Opening Prayer

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His love endures forever

Into your presence we come, Lord
a few moments of quietness
in a busy world
that demands our attention
Breathe on us now
that we might know your presence
and your power
to see this day though

— written by John Birch, and posted on his Faith and Worship website. 

For other prayers on this website, see the Scriptural Prayer Index at the upper right side of the page.  For other opening prayers, click on Opening Prayers in the list of “Labels” at the lower right.

Contemporary hymn: Transfiguration

Here’s a new hymn for Transfiguration (February 19, 2012).  It was written by South African Methodist minister, Brenton Prigge. 

The Mountain
(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)
Suggested tune: LONDONDERRY AIR

How bitter-sweet to be here on this mountain,
high up above the troubles of this world;
to leave behind the clamour of the needy crowd;
to be at last alone with our dear Lord!
And God's true light expunges every shadow -
there is no doubt up here in this high place -
we see the glory of our God in Jesus;
see now that holy, holy light upon His face.

We long to stay up here upon this mountain;
How good it is to be here with our Lord.
To bask here in the light of God's great beauty,
kneel at His feet and soak up every word.
O, hear His call: "Come, gather all my faithful!"
Come, let His word shine in your hearts unveiled.
Oh! to go now to heaven like Elijah!
Oh that this holy, holy vision would not pale!

How bitter-sweet to be here on this mountain,
for well we know the valley waits below;
Our fellow trav'lers wait for news from mountain tops,
to share with us the joy that we now know.
They need to know that Jesus is the Saviour,
He is the light that shines for all the world.
and we will serve Him in the darkest valley
We will proclaim, proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord!.

—words written by Brenton Prigge © 2006 New Hymn CCLI # 4674104.  He writes, CCLI license holders may freely use and reproduce these lyrics, provided that CCLI copyright protocol is followed.” Visit Brenton’s New Hymn website for many other good new hymn texts.  

For more worship resources for February 19, 2012 (Transfiguration Sunday), click on Transfiguration Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Resource Index: Transfiguration Sunday

Note that the suggested scripture readings for Lent 2A, Lent 2B and Lent 2C also include accounts of the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Calls to Worship

Prayers
Prayer: A Double Share (petition, commitment)

Confession & Assurance

Benedictions

Miscellaneous 
Common Epiphanies

A Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday

Here’s a beautiful prayer for Transfiguration Sunday. It was written by Bill Loader.

Call to Prayer
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Let’s go up the mountain.
Let’s go up to the place where the land meets the sky
where the earth touches the heavens,
to the place of meeting,
to the place of mists,
to the place of voices and conversations,
to the place of listening.

Prayer

O God,
We open our eyes and we see Jesus,
the months of ministry transfigured to a beam of light,
the light of the world,
your light.
May your light shine upon us.

We open our eyes and we see Moses and Elijah,
your word restoring us, showing us the way,
telling a story,
your story, his story, our story.
May your word speak to us.

We open our eyes and we see mist,
the cloud of your presence
which assures us of all we do not know
and that we do not need to fear that.
Teach us to trust.

We open our eyes and we see Peter’s constructions,
his best plans, our best plans,
our missing the point,
our missing the way.
Forgive our foolishness and sin

We open our eyes and we see Jesus,
not casting us off,
but leading us down, leading us out -
to ministry, to people.
Your love endures forever.

We open our ears and we hear your voice,
‘This is my beloved Son, listen to him!’
And we give you thanks.
Amen

— written by William Loader (2/2001), and posted on Bill Loader’s Home Page

For more worship resources for February 19, 2012 (Transfiguration Sunday), click on Transfiguration Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. For more prayer resources on this blog, see the Scriptural Index of Prayers at the upper right side of the page.


Invocation: Transfiguration

Here is a beautiful opening invocation for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012). It was written by Rev. Madison Shockley, pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, California.

Prayer of Invocation: Transfiguration
(2 Kings 2:1-12, Mark 9:2-9)

O Holy One,
on mountaintops and valley floors
you reveal to us the light of your love.
Our hearts desire is to bask in the amazing glory
of the divine presence.
With each encounter we are changed and transformed.
Draw us nearer
that we might receive a double portion of your Holy Spirit.
Help us, O Holy One, to live our lives as a reflection of divine glory.
May we walk among our brothers and sister as a blessing,
bearing light into dark places,
hope to displace despair,
and love that casts out hate.
Our world is hurting
and we need the followers of Jesus to follow more closely.
Maybe then we will hear your voice speaking to us and saying,
… “listen to my Child, the Beloved!”  Amen.

— from Witness to Wonders: Service Prayers for Transfiguration Sunday, written by the Rev. Madison Shockley, pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA.  Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. 

Transfiguration: Prayer of Confession

Here’s an act of confession for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012).  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Confession
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Our days, Most Holy Friend, are spent between light and darkness. Often, as the result of our own sin, or the evil of others, we find ourselves in the darkness. On other precious occasions we find ourselves caught up in your light and love. More often we are in between, busy in the half light, trying to make the best of a compromising existence, stumbling and falling, rising and achieving. With your help we do make some headway, but still fall far short of the light of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Most gracious God, please persist with your mission of saving us all. By your grace, banish our darkness and enlighten us today. Do not allow us to linger dolefully in the gloom of guilt or self pity. Make us bold to move out to where the shadows are fewer, even though the brighter light shows up our flaws. Please give us more of the light of Christ that our lives may declare your praise. In his name we so pray; Amen!

Declaration of Forgiveness
Fellow Christians, Cheer up! Jesus says to you: “Your sins are forgiven.”

My friends, permit God’s mercy to transfigure your lives. Be no longer ruled by doubt and worry but by light and love. Walk as children of the light whose ultimate glory is assured. Amen!

The light of Christ Jesus be with you always.
And also with you.

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home PageVisit his website site for many other excellent worship resources.

Call to Worship: Transfiguration Sunday


Here’s a responsive call to worship for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012). It was written by Katherine Hawker for the Evangelical United Church of Christ.

Transfiguration Sunday Call to Worship
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

We have seen the light of God;
     on high mountains of celebration
     and in the ecstasy of a lover's embrace.
We have seen the light of God;
     through the bitter scorn of betrayal
     and the searing chasm of grief.
We have seen the light of God;
     with eyes that have been shaded,
     with eyes that have been opened,
     with eyes that have been blinded.
We have seen the light of God.

~ copyright © 1997 Katherine Hawker. Posted on her Liturgies Outside website.  

Benediction: Transfiguration Sunday

Here’s a commission and benediction for Transfiguration Sunday (February 12, 2012). It was written by Nathan Nettleton, and posted on his Laughingbird website.

Commission & Benediction
for Transfiguration Sunday
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Go now, and speak of what you have seen of God’s glory.
Do not cling to the holy moments
when heaven overshadows you,
but as the Lord lives, listen to Christ and follow him
from the places of revelation
to the places of mission.

And may God shine the light of glory into your hearts.
May Christ be with you and never leave you.
And may the Spirit renew the image of God within you.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
........In the name of Christ. Amen.

© 2003 Nathan Nettleton http://www.laughingbird.net/



Confession: Transfiguration

Here’s a prayer of confession followed a declaration of forgiveness based on the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36).  It was written by Rev. Dr. David Bahr.

Confession
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Call to Confession
One:     Peter, James, and John went up on the side of a mountain with Jesus
            and experienced glory. 
            But then Peter wanted to stay.  “It’s good for us to be here. 
            Let’s get comfortable.”                          
            We are also often tempted
            to keep the experience of the Divine to ourselves,
            to enjoy the company of the saints
            instead of going back down the mountain
            to continue the work of the Kingdom of God. 
            God knows this temptation of our hearts, so let us confess
            and pray for forgiveness.

All:       God of glory and light, forgive us when we are
            complacent and comfortable
            with keeping the riches of your love to ourselves. 
            Keep calling us down from our mountains of privilege. 
            Keep expecting more of us as your disciples. 
            Keep reminding us to listen to your Son,
            in whose name we pray.  Amen.

Assurance of Grace
One:     Whether we hear a voice from the heavens or a still
            small voice in our hearts,
            listen carefully for the love of God. 
            Believe and accept God’s love and live in God’s freedom.
 All:      We believe!  Thanks be to God!

~ written by Rev. Dr. David Bahr, pastor of Park Hill Congregational United Church of Christ in Denver, Colorado.  Posted on the United Church of Christ website.  

Confession Litany: Transfiguration


Here’s a prayer of confession litany suitable for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012).  It was written by Moira Laidlaw.

Prayer of Confession
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Lord Jesus Christ, God's glory and love shone through you that day on the mountain and you persisted in revealing that glory and love through your words and deeds; through your life of humble service.  We hear again these wonderful words of God "You are my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!.” We confess our failure to listen to you because of the influence on our lives of the gods of this world. When this happens our attitudes conceal rather than reveal your glory and your love.

If we conceal your love
because our pursuit of other priorities
prevents us from seeing and serving people in need:
forgive us, Lord.
If we conceal your glory
because all we reflect is our own self-centredness:
forgive us, Lord
If we conceal your truth
through our lack of credible witness:
forgive us, Lord.
If we conceal your justice
through our failure to empower those who are powerless:
forgive us, Lord.
If we conceal your mercy
because of our hard and unforgiving attitudes:
forgive us, Lord. If we conceal your compassion
because of our prejudice and  intolerance:
forgive us, Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ,
cleanse our lives of all shameful attitudes of  mind and heart
so that we reveal your glory
in and through all we do and say and are. 
This we pray in your name
and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Assurance of Forgiveness
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
It is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness" who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God  in the face of Jesus Christ. The good news is that we are not only enlightened by our belief in Christ, we are cleansed and we are forgiven!  Thanks be to God!

~ Moira Laidlaw, on Liturgies Online.  Visit that site for many other excellent worship resources.  


Act of Confession: Transfiguration


Here’s a beautiful act of corporate confession based on the texts for February 19, 2012 (Transfiguration Sunday).  They were written by Thom Shuman.

Call to Reconciliation

Sometimes we wait for God to astound us with whirlwinds of wonders, while God silently offers us grace. God waits to forgive us, so let us hold nothing back, but trust in the One who listens to our prayers and answers us with mercy.

Unison Prayer of Reconciliation


God of mountaintops, the din of the world can harden our hearts to your Word. We watch news, reality TV, silly shows - yet have trouble bearing witness to your presence in our lives. Our faith is placed in those who fail us, our trust is given to those who misplace it.

Forgive us, Revealer of Mystery. You offer mercy to us, so we might hear your call to discipleship. You whisper our names, so we might know how loved we are. Caught by the surprise of your never ending joy in us, how can we not follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, onto the mountaintops of worship and into the valleys of sacrifice and service!

Silent Prayers may be offered

Assurance of Pardon


On mountaintops and in valleys, in our
homes and in our hearts, God knows us
better than we know ourselves, and God
forgives us when we cannot forgive ourselves.
By God's mercy, we are forgiven;
by God's mercy, we are made whole;
by God's mercy, we are equipped to serve others.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

~ written by Thom Shuman (February, 2006), and posted on his Lectionary Liturgies website. 

Prayer of Adoration: We Adore You



Here is a prayer of adoration on the life of Jesus Christ.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Prayer of Adoration

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Lord Jesus, preaching good tidings to the people,
proclaiming release to captives,
setting at liberty those who are bound:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, friend of the outcast and the poor,
feeder of the hungry,
healer of the sick:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, denouncing the oppressor,
exposing the hypocrite,
overcoming evil with good:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, pattern of gentleness,
teacher of holiness,
prophet of the kingdom:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, dying to save us from our sin,
rising to give us eternal life,
ascending to prepare our heavenly home:
We adore you.

Almighty and loving God, you loved the world so much that you gave your only Son to be our Saviour. You allowed him to empty himself of his heavenly glory and become a suffering servant. Yet by your grace we have beheld his glory, such glory as befits the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. Amen.

— written by David Beswick, and posted on his Worship and Preaching website. http://www.beswick.info/

Psalm 50 Remix

Here’s a different take on Psalm 50.  It comes from Grace church in England.

Psalm 50 remix

Grace listen...
I have no complaint about your sacrifices -
you certainly put the creative effort in to your worship.
But I do not need your art installations, stations,
movie loops, ambient tunes, apple macs, ipods
gas masks, photography, font selection, stories,
good taste, creative liturgies and new technologies.
All the silicon in the valley is mine
I know all the art in the whole world
The creation is my gallery
I made imagination!
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God
out of friendship and not obligation
That's what it's about...

— from the Grace website worship archive.  

For more worship resources for February 19, 2012 (Transfiguration Sunday), click on Transfiguration Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.


Opening Litany: Transfiguration


Here’s an opening call to worship litany for Transfiguration Sunday written by Thomas Weitzel.

Transfiguration Dialog

The Lord, the God of gods has spoken;
he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty,
God reveals himself in glory.
 
The Lord is king; he is enthroned upon the cherubim.
The Lord is great in Zion;
he is high above all peoples.
 
Let me announce the decree of the Lord:
"I myself have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
"You are my son; this day have I begotten you."
 
Let them confess his name,
which is great and awesome.
Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before his footstool.

~ Thomas Weitzel, on his website Liturgy by TLW.   

Prayer of Confession for Transfiguration

Here is a prayer of confession / declaration of forgiveness for Transfiguration Sunday, written by David Beswick.

Unison Prayer of Confession:
Forgive us our selfish concerns with earthly things and our failure to acknowledge your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, for that blindness to the wonder of your presence that causes us to live our lives from day to day without knowing you. Have mercy on us, give us grace to discern the suffering servant Lord in the midst of our lives, to worship and serve you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Forgiveness
The good news is that all who trust in Christ will have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life. As you hold this faith, I declare that you are set free from all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Thanks be to God.

~ written by David Beswick, and posted on his Worship and Preaching website.  



Prayer: A Double Share

Here’s a prayer based on 2 Kings 2:1-12 (the Old Testament reading for February 19, 2012, Transfiguration Sunday).  It comes from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer of Petition & Commitment
(2 Kings 2:1-12)

Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”
2 Kings 2:9

God of power, 
without your love we can do nothing. 
Give us a double share of your spirit
so that we can work together,
across the world,
to bring about the end of poverty for all.
Teach us to follow the examples of the prophets,
to speak clearly alongside the poor
and to work tirelessly for the good of all people.
Through your Son Jesus Christ
who brought healing and love to the whole world.
Amen.

— from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer of Commitment: Transfiguration


Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012).  It comes from the Presbyterian Church USA website.

Prayer of Petition & Commitment
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Great God of dazzling beauty and overshadowing majesty,
in Jesus Christ, your beloved Son,
we glimpse the image of your glory.
Teach us to listen to him
so that we may hear your voice
and follow your holy way;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

— from Prayers for the Transfiguration, posted on the PCUSA website.

A Call to Worship: Psalm 99

Here’s a call to worship litany based on Psalm 99. It was written by Joan Stott.

Call to Worship Litany
(based on Psalm 99)

The Lord is King! The Lord is King
over all people and all creation.
The foundations of God’s throne are justice and equity,
and Holiness and Justice are names for the Lord our God.


The Lord is King! The Lord is King
over the nations, and humanity’s
cultures, traditions and relationships.
The foundations of God’s throne are love and mercy,
and Love and Mercy are names for the Lord our God.


The Lord is King! The Lord is King
over all thought, imagination, intuition,
and the endless search for knowledge.
The foundation of God’s throne is wisdom,
and Wisdom is a name for the Lord our God.
Come, let us worship this Holy and Wise God. Amen.

— written by Joan Stott, on the Geelong City Parish UCA website. If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.

For more worship resources for Transfiguration Sunday, click on Transfiguration Sunday in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For more calls to worship on this blog, click on Calls to worship in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see the Call to Worship Index at the upper right.


Prayer at the Table: Transfiguration

Here’s a beautiful opening to a communion prayer, based on the texts for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012). It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

Eucharistic Preface
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

Let us lift up our hearts.
....We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
....It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for your transfiguring light has overcome us
and is restoring within us the image of your glory.

When you created the universe you said,
“Let light shine out of darkness,”
and the heavens lit up in testimony to your justice.
Through the law and prophets your light has shone forth,
and your Word has never fallen silent.

On a high mountain you pulled back the veil of heaven
and, as Moses and Elijah passed on their mantles
to the one in whom your saving Word is fulfilled,
you allowed the incomparable glory of your Son
to be seen by his terrified disciples.
He was killed by those who would not listen to you,
but after you raised him from the dead,
you sent the winds of heaven upon us
with an extravagant outpouring of your Holy Spirit.

Therefore with .....

© 2003 Nathan Nettleton http://www.laughingbird.net/

Transfiguration Call to Worship

Here’s a litany for the beginning of worship on Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012).  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Entry into Worship
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:19)

Today we are celebrating the holy light that illuminated Jesus.
We celebrate his transfiguration on the mountain.

Light of light: transfusing & transforming light.
Divine light flooding out the shadows.
Light of love, light of delight.
Light that turns doubters into followers.

It is the same God who at the beginning said:
“Let there be light,”
who has shone in our hearts with an understanding
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The mightiest One of all, God the Eternal,
speaks and summons the whole earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.

From God’s holy mountain, God’s light,
the perfection of beauty, shines out.

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.