Here’s an opening prayer based on Matthew 16:21-28, one of the suggested scripture readings for August 28, 2011 (the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost). Feel free to revise it.
Opening Prayer
(based on Matthew 16: 21-28)
Loving God,
You call us to turn away from our own selfish interests,
to take up our cross,
and to follow after You—
to find our lives by giving them up to Your greater purpose.
So we come before You this morning with open hearts and open hands,
eager to hear Your Word, and eager to know Your will.
Through the power of Your Holy Spirit,
move within us and among us as we worship.
Open our eyes to Your presence;
open our ears to Your call,
open our hearts to one another.
And then send us back out into the world,
to live and work as Your faithful disciples.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,
Amen.
