Here’s a call to worship (based on Psalm 130) and opening prayer for Proper 8 B. They were written by Bruce Prewer.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 8:9)
Unless our worship is genuine, it is a waste of time.
Out of the depths we cry to, you, O God,
Lord hear our voices.
Remember the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who though he was rich, for our sakes became poor,
so that through his poverty we might become rich.
Let God’s people put all their hope in the Lord.
For with God there is faithful love,
and in the Lord is plenteous redemption.
Let us worship in sincerity and truth.
Let us pray.
Opening Prayer: Drawing Closer
Living and faithful Spirit,
the God in whom we live and move and have our being,
the God who is made known in Christ Jesus,
bless us one and all as we wait on you this day.
Please remove from our minds and hearts
whatever impediments hinder worship or dampen our joy.
Increase within us
that holy longing for closeness which can open our lives to fuller delight
and to a deeper commitment.
May our hymns and prayers,
our searching thoughts, and our hearing of the Scriptures,
be an exercise in the holiest love making.
By you, with you and for you, may our lives publish your praise.
In the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen!
— written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. http://www.bruceprewer.com/ Visit that website for other excellent lectionary-based worship resources.
