Prayer for Others: Truth, Healing, Compassion, Joy

Here’s a prayer of intercession from Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.

Prayer of Intercession

First of all, let us pray for the world-wide church:
By the inflowing of the Holy Spirit
may we become in practice
more truly what we already are in faith and hope:
the body of Christ and new family God.
Let there be truth, healing, compassion and joy,
God of our salvation.

Now let us pray for our country;
that the values of the kingdom of God
may become less unusual
in the way we care for the weak and the neglected,
the foolish and the disgraced.
Let there be truth, healing, compassion and joy,
God of our salvation.

Let us pray for the strong and the wealthy,
the powerful and the ruthless;
the famous and the idolised;
that they may realise how easy it is to gain the whole world
yet lose the soul.
Let there be truth, healing, compassion and joy,
God of our salvation.

And let us pray for all suffering, broken, and forlorn people
around us in church and community;
that the healing of Christ may reach into the soul’s depths
where no human hand can touch or human word console.
Let there be truth, healing, compassion and joy,
God of our salvation.

And now unto the loving God
who is always doing far better than we can think or pray or do,
be glory in the church through Christ Jesus,
now and beyond the end of time.
Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.  http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Prayer for Teachers

Here’s a prayer of encouragement for teachers at the beginning of a new school year. It was written by Carol Penner, and posted on her Leading in Worship blog.

Prayer for Teachers

God, our Great Teacher:
At the beginning of this new school year,
hear our prayer for teachers!

Give teachers compassion to treat each student with dignity and respect,
remembering that every child has a story to tell.

Give teachers wisdom to be role models,
remembering that children learn more from who we are than what we say.

Give teachers your love that reaches out to children on the margins,
remembering that we see Jesus in the face of the poor, the challenged, the rejected.

Give teachers strength to carry heavy loads with patience and good-humour,
remembering that Jesus also walked an extra mile.

As a community we lift up our teachers to You, O Lord,
knowing that You plan every divine lesson. Amen.

~ written by Carol Penner, posted on Leading in Worship. http://carolpenner.typepad.com/

Labor Day: Congregational Prayer

Here’s a congregational prayer for Labour Day from Carol Penner’s Leading in Worship blog.

Congregational Prayer
for Labour Day

On this Sabbath day of rest, dear God, we turn to you,
with thanks for the work that you give us to do.

We work by night, by day,
inside and in the great outdoors,
we work in coveralls or suits or casual clothes,
we work sitting, standing, travelling by car,
we work with tools or books or instruments in our hands,
we work silently, with words, or with technology.
Whatever our work, it’s shape or size,  we do it for you.

Thank you for employment, for salaries and paycheques,
for the chance to labour and do our best.
Help us to remember that the work you give us to do, Lord
is not always work that the world values or pays for.
Bless our unpaid work of caregiving, whether for babies or children,
adults with disabilities, or seniors who need help.
Focus our eyes on the work that you value above all;
loving our neighbour, caring for the lowest and the least.

We ask for your forgiveness for the times we abuse the gift of work.
We give ourselves all the credit,
not acknowledging what we owe to you and to the efforts of others.
We are afraid to take on the work that you give us to do,
we are too lazy or too stubborn.
Sometimes we let work become a dictator.
We let it fill empty spaces in our lives
which should be filled with other things.
We neglect people we love because of our work.
Help us, God, to find you in our work, to look for you in our work.
Help us as we seek a balance of work and play.

Thank you for giving us this Sabbath day where we can rest,
where we can pause and say thank you
to the One whose work we are,
to the One whose work we do.
Amen.

~ written by Carol Penner, and posted on Leading in Worship.  http://carolpenner.typepad.com/leadinginworship/

Prayer: Secure Our Steps, O God

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession from reverendmother.  It was posted on


Secure our steps, O God—
on rough terrain,
on shifting sands,
on fine, wide roads,
on narrow paths.
Make our footsteps firm.

Secure our steps, O God—
in the boardroom,
at the water cooler,
in the school yard,
in the checkout line.
Make our footsteps firm.

Secure our steps, O God—
chasing after deadlines,
trailing after toddlers,
scrambling toward the finish line,
clamoring for security.
Make our footsteps firm.

Secure our steps, O God—
pacing through hospitals,
wandering through the hurt,
tripping over the unforeseen,
meandering through the grief.
Make our footsteps firm.
Amen.
reverendmother http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

Blessing: The Trinity Restores You

Here’s a blessing inspired by Psalm 80.  It was written by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, and posted on Soul Shepherding.

The Trinity Restores You
(inspired by Psalm 80)

The Trinity restores you;
they make their face to shine all around you
so that you are saved.

The Father loves you;
He makes his face to shine down on you
so that you are saved.

The Son graces you;
He makes his face to shine right beside you
so that you are saved.

The Spirit lives in you;
He makes his face to shine inside you
so that you are saved.

The Trinity empowers you;
they make their face to shine through you
so that others are saved.

~ written by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, inspired by Psalm 80.  Posted on Soul Shepherding. http://www.soulshepherding.org/

Collect for Labor Day

Here’s a prayer for Labor Day from Rick Morley’s blog (see below for link).

Labor Day Prayer

Lord Jesus,
we give thanks for work,
and for the many works you have given us to do.
Hear our prayers on this day of rest,
and strengthen us for the week ahead.
We pray that you would be present with those who work by day,
and those who work by night;
those who work near,
and those whose work carries them far away;
and we pray for those who in this uncertain time have no job.
We pray all of this knowing that your labors on our behalf never cease,
and that your yoke is easy, and your burden is light. Amen.

~ written by Rick Morley, and posted on the rickmorley bloghttp://www.rickmorley.com/blog

Pastoral Prayer for Labor Day

Here’s a prayer of intercession and petition for Labor Day.  It was written by Bob Traupman, and posted on Xavier University’s JesuitResource.org website.

Labor Day Prayer

Good and gracious God,
you told us from the very beginning
that we would earn our bread by the sweat of our brow.
We are interdependent in our laboring, Lord.
We depend on the migrant workers
who pick our lettuce and our strawberries,
the nurses’ aides who empty bed pans,
the teachers who form our children’s minds.

We thank you, Lord, for the gifts and talents you have given us
that allow us to earn a living and contribute something positive to our world.
We pray, dear Lord, for those who are without work.
Sustain them — us — in your love.
Help us to realize that we have worth as human beings,
job or no job.

But that’s hard to get, Lord.
Our society preaches to us that our worth comes from success,
of being better than the Jones’.
But our worth comes because You made us.
We are Your children, no matter what, job or no job.
You love us and you call us to love and support each other.
We pray, Lord, for those who do the dirty work in our lives, Lord,
those who break their backs for us,
those who are cheated out of even a minimum wage,
those who have not access to health care,
those who cannot afford to send their kids to college.

Help us to bind together, Lord, as a community, as a nation
because we depend on one another —
the garbage men, the police, the stock people in our grocery stores,
the UPS driver, the pilots, the 7/11 clerk, the ticket-taker on the turnpike
the plumbers, the accountants, the bank tellers,
the landscapers, the lifeguards,
those who clean our houses, the cooks,
the waiters, the steel workers, the carpenters,
the scientists, and yes, the writers.

Help us to realize this weekend
how dependent we are on one another, Lord.
We are one. We are family. We need each other.
Let us give thanks for each other this Labor Day weekend, Lord
Help us to celebrate and give thanks for each other and appreciate
the value, the dignity, the contribution
that each one makes to keep our country, our cities, our lives going.
And in tough times, help us remember the words of Jesus:

Come to me all you who labor
and are heavily burdened
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you,
for my yoke is easy and my burden light
(Matthew 11:28)

~ written by Bob Traupman, and posted on Xavier University’s JesuitResource.org website. http://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/Thanksgiving-Prayers.cfm

Intergenerational Ten Commandments

Here’s a re-working of the ten commandments from Carolyn Brown’s Worshiping with Children website.

Intergenerational Ten Commandments
(Exodus 20: 1-20)

God is God – even at school!

God is more important than anything
      – even grades or friends

Always say God’s name respectfully

Don’t get too busy for church

Speak of your father and mother with love

Don’t hurt anyone
      watch where you sling your book bag and
      lookout for the younger kids

Be a loyal friend

Do not steal
      either other people’s stuff or the answers on their work

Don’t tell lies about other people
       either to get them in trouble or make yourself look good

Don’t get jealous of what others have or what they can do

~ written by Carolyn Brown, and posted on Worshiping with Children. http://www.worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.ca/2013/07/year-c-proper-13-18th-sunday-in.html

Prayer Poem: Psalm 19

Here’s a prayer poem inspired by Psalm 19.  It was written by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, and posted on Soul Shepherding.

God’s Word to Me
(inspired by Psalm 19)

Jesus…
You are God’s Son shining in the heavens
I smile in your light

Jesus…
You are my Bridegroom coming for me
I hold you in my heart

Jesus…
You are my Champion rejoicing to run your course
I follow you

Jesus…
You are God’s Law restoring souls
I study and obey you

Jesus…
You are more precious than gold
I give up all for you

Jesus…
You are sweeter than honey
I delight in you

Jesus…
You are God’s Word to me
I love to speak your name

~ written by Bill & Kristi Gaultiere, inspired by Psalm 19.  Posted on Soul Shepherding. http://www.soulshepherding.org/

Call to Worship: Through the Open Door

Here’s a call to worship from John Ballenger’s Preacher Musing website.

Call to Worship

A door stands open to heaven,
and we are invited to look through to see God—
surrounded by the beauty and diversity
and wonder and power of all creation.
We are invited to see that all we can see
bows down before the God we cannot see.
Holy, holy holy!

A door stands open to heaven,
and we are invited to look through
to see we cannot see God.
Holy, holy, holy!

And yet still to know,
that in seeing Jesus—in seeing love,
we see what cannot be seen.
And even in our imminence,
we then see the absolute transcendence of God.
Holy, holy, holy!

~ written by John Ballenger, and posted on Preacher Musing.  http://preachermusings.wordpress.com/

Prayer of Confession: Daniel 9

Here’s a responsive prayer of confession inspired by Daniel 9. It was posted on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website.

Confession
(based on Daniel 9)

Because we trust in God's covenant faithfulness,
we are free to make our confession to God
and call for his compassion.
Let us, therefore, confess our sins 
that we may be renewed in his grace.

O Master, great and awesome God.
You never waver in your covenant commitment,
never give up on those who love you and do what you say.
Yet we have sinned in every way imaginable.
We've done evil things, rebelled, dodged
and taken detours around your clearly marked paths.
Compassion is our only hope,
the compassion of you, the Master, our God,
since in our rebellion we've forfeited our rights.
Master, you are our God,
for you delivered your people from the land of Egypt
in such a show of power that
people are still talking about it!
We confess that we have sinned,
that we have lived bad lives.
Turn your ears our way, God, and listen.
Open your eyes and take a long look at us,
your people named after you.
We know that we don't deserve a hearing from you.
Our appeal is to your compassion.
This prayer is our last and only hope:
Master, listen to us!
Master, forgive us!
Through Christ, your Lamb, our Lord. Amen. 

~ from The Wings of God: Psalm 91, posted on Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website.

Scripture Litany: Matthew 18 and Romans 13

Here’s a scripture litany inspired by two of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 18 A (Matthew 18 and Romans 13). It was compiled by Katherine Hawker, and posted on Liturgy Outside the Box.

Scripture Litany
(based on Matthew 18 and Romans 13)

Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
the case of solitary individuals, without sons or brothers;
yet there is no end to all their toil,
and their eyes are never satisfied with riches.
 "For whom am I toiling," they ask, "and depriving myself of pleasure?"
This also is vanity and an unhappy business. (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

Truly I tell you,
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)

Two are better than one,
because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up the other;
but woe to one who is alone and falls
and does not have another to help.
Again, if two lie together, they keep warm;
but how can one keep warm alone? (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)

The commandments say,
"You shall not commit adultery;
You shall not murder;
You shall not steal;
You shall not covet"; and any other commandment,
are summed up in this word,
"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Romans 13:9)

Again, truly I tell you,
if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask,
it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)

Love does no wrong to a neighbor;
therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)

For where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)

And though one might prevail against another,
two will withstand one.
A threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

~ Katherine Hawker, from Liturgy Outside the Box http://liturgyoutside.net/

Prayer of Commitment: To Follow You

Here’s a prayer of commitment from the Love God, Love Neighbor website.

Prayer
(inspired by Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)

Today, Lord,
I once again take up my cross and follow you.

Forgive me for choosing daily to be complacent.
Happiness has been my god and I have believed I’m entitled to it.
Forgive me for all the excuses I have
for not responding to you immediately, with urgency, and sacrificially.
Forgive me for complaining about being bored as I sit and do nothing.

Forgive me for the times I have tried to make
carrying my cross more comfortable.  
I have been too concerned with finding things to make it easier;
gadgets and toys to make my cross lighter, smaller, and cushioned.
Forgive me for making excuses
and not going with you because I was worried about
my health, safety, reputation, loneliness, financial security,
and ability to handle extreme weather and getting dirty.
Forgive me for focusing on my comfort rather than my character.

Forgive me for the times I have not followed you
because it wasn’t convenient.
I didn’t want to go out of my way to see the needs around me
because then I would feel guilty for not doing something about them.
Forgive me for not loving my neighbors–
I don’t even know their names.
Forgive me for trying to pacify my conscience
by giving just enough to feel good about myself
but not enough to inconvenience my lifestyle.

Today, Lord,
I once again take up my cross and follow you.
Shake me of my complacency;
I want to live daily with an urgency
to radically be the change you call me to be.
Strip me of my comforts;
may my love for you be a driving force to live with joyful surrender.
Scratch out my schedule;
I don’t want my circumstances or timeline
to influence my dedication and obedience
to take up my cross and follow you.
Here I am; Send Me.

May your word pour out of me like water to the thirsty,
and may my life be full of the fruit of the Spirit.
All I am and have I give back to you with open hands
knowing that all my needs you will meet as I go with you.
Today I take up my cross and follow you.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

~ excerpted from a prayer by Hila, and posted on the Love God, Love Neighbour website. http://www.lovegodloveneighbor.com/take-up-my-cross-and-follow-you-a-prayer-by-hila/