re:Worship

One: Once you were not a people,
            but now you are God’s people;
            once you had not received mercy,
            but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:10)

Two: Come to him, a living stone,

rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight,

and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house,

to be a holy priesthood,

to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God

through Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:4-5)

One: For you are a chosen race,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

God’s own people,

in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him

who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (I Peter 2:9)

~ Compiled by Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Opening Prayer: Feed Us, Lord

Opening Prayer

(based on Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)

Lord,

the eyes of all look to You in hope;

and You give them what they need.

You open Your hand

and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled—

to eat of the Bread of Life,

to drink from Your life-giving streams,

to taste Your goodness and live.

May the time we spend together in Your presence

nourish our hearts and minds;

may it strengthen our relationship with You,

and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.

For You alone are God,

the Source and Sustainer of life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Litany: Psalm 51 and Psalm 103

Here’s a responsive litany of confession and assurance, contrasting verses from Psalm 51 with verses from Psalm 103. The congregation (or a second reader) is invited to read Psalm 51 (in bold print); the worship leader reads Psalm 103 (in regular print).

Litany of Confession

(Psalm 51 & Psalm 103)

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

Our God is merciful and gracious,
slow to get angry, and full of unfailing love.

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

For I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night.

God will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight.

You will be proved right in what you say,

and your judgment against me is just.

God has not punished us for all our sins,

nor does he deal with us as we deserve.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

I was born a sinner—from the moment my mother conceived me.

God is like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

For he understands how weak we are;

he remembers that we are only dust.

You desire honesty from the heart;

teach me to be wise in my inmost being.

For our days on earth are like grass;

like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

The wind blows, and we are gone—

as though we had never been here.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and make me willing to obey you.

For the love of the Lord remains forever

with those who fear him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children

of those who are faithful to his covenant;

those who obey his commandments.

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit.

A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Our God is merciful and gracious.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayers of the People: Open Your Hand

Here’s a prayer of intercession which draws on Psalm 145 and Matthew 14:13-21 (the feeding of the 5000). Feel free to revise it to suit your context.

Prayer of Intercession

(based on Matthew 14:13-21 and Psalm 145:15-16)

Loving God,

You are our Creator and Sustainer.

When You open Your hand,

You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

And so we look to You whenever we are in need,
trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.

As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish,

we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day.

Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.

We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty.

We think especially of the people in Somalia and Eastern Africa

who are facing critical food shortages;

who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation;

and watching helplessly as loved ones die.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.

We pray for those who are empty emotionally—

who are lonely and long for companionship and love,

who are caught in the grip of depression,
or overwhelmed with grief.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.

We pray for those who are spiritually empty—

who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn;

who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look;
who need You, but do not yet know You.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.

God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives.

Pour out Your Spirit on us as well.

Fill us with Your compassion and love,

so that we would willingly share some of our abundance

with those who have need.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that we may be filled.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

who came so that all of humanity might come to know

the abundant life that comes from You.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

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Prayer Index: Old Testament

Prayer Index: Matthew & Mark

Prayer Index: Luke & John

Prayer Index: Acts through Revelation

Prayers of the People by Title

Opening Prayers by Title/Topic

Affirmations of Faith: Topical