Prayer of Confession: Ascension

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the suggested scripture texts for Ascension Day.  It was written by Rev. Malcolm Macdougall, and posted on the Starters for Sunday website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 24: 44-53, Acts 1: 9-11)

“You are witnesses of all these things….” Luke 24: 48

Too often, Lord God,

we are hesitant in our proclamation;

seeking safe and suitable opportunities to speak of our faith.

Too often, Lord God,

we are half-hearted in our service;

reluctant to stand out from the crowd or to attract criticism.

Too often, Lord God,

we live as if dependent wholly on our own resources;

relying on our perceived skills and modest insights.

Too often, Lord God,

we look to the clouds for our inspiration,

in the vain hope of finding you there.

Forgive the poverty of our efforts and the frailty of our faith

and open wide our hearts and minds to the immanent presence

of our Risen, Living and Ascended Lord Jesus Christ .

In his name we pray and say together:

“Our Father …”

~ written by Rev. Malcolm Macdougall, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer for the Church

January 18-25 is observed by many in the northern hemisphere as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Here is a prayer from the World Council of Churches website which is appropriate for that occasion (and others throughout the year).

A Prayer for the Church

God, Protector of the widow,

the orphan and the stranger –

in a world where many know despair,

you raised your Son Jesus

to give hope for humanity and renewal to the earth.

Continue to strengthen and unify your Church

in its struggles against the forces of death in the world,

where violence against creation and humanity

obscures the hope of the new life you offer.

This we pray in the name of the Risen Lord,

in the power of His Spirit. Amen.

~ from Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and throughout the year (2011), http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/documents/p2/2010/WOP2011eng.pdf  jointly prepared and published by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.  Posted on the World Council of Churches website.  http://www.oikoumene.org/en/home.html

Ascension Reflection: Not Up There

Here’s a prayerful reflection on the ascension of Jesus by Steve Garnaas-Holmes. It was posted on Unfolding Light.

Ascension Reflection: Not Up There

He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,

suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.

They said, "People of Galilee,

why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”

~ Acts 1.9-11

Don't try to diagram the mystery.

The Body of Love,

in your hands but hard to put your finger on,

within, among and yet beyond,

is here and not here.

The One who Is With You is not present as you wish.

Sorrow and joy mingle perfectly.

Theories will not help you.

You can't look it up.

Look here: this, now.

In the bed you make,

the people you meet,

the rumpling within.

Even what has left you,

your empty arms,

is a place to look.

Jacob on his stone pillow knew:

this loss, this trouble, this gift

is the ladder to heaven.

Keep looking, but not up there.

~ written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and posted on Unfolding Light. https://www.unfoldinglight.net/

Prayer for Unity Amidst Diversity

Here’s a thoughtful prayer of petition for unity. It seems particularly timely these days.  It was posted on the “Monthly Prayers” page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer for Unity

God of all creation 
who called every being into life 
who is mindful of humankind in all its diversity 
who embodies us with dignity, 
granting different gifts and talents to shape life in this world 
we ask for your Spirit to unite us 
where we face lack of understanding and disunity 
in our churches, in our communities, in our countries. 
And in silence we lay before you the burdens of our hearts.

(Silence)

We ask for your Spirit to unite us 
in the face of the conflicts, hatred and violation of life 
experienced in so many regions of the earth 
and in silence we bring to you the pain of the victims.

(Silence)

We ask for your Spirit to unite us 
wherever fear prevents us from caring for our neighbour, 
from meeting people of different ethnicities, cultures

and faith communities with respect 
and in silence we bring to you the brokenness of human relationships.

(Silence)

God of all creation, 
in Christ we are reconciled, 
and so we ask for your uniting Spirit 
to help us to overcome all our divisions 
that we may live in peace.

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayer: Called to be One

Here’s a prayer of confession and intercession on the subject of Christian unity. It was written by Christine Sine and posted on Godspace.

Litany of Confession

(inspired by passages like Ephesians 2:14,

John 17, Galatians 3:28, Romans 12:5)

God, we believe you have called us to unity,

but often we have isolated ourselves from others,

God, forgive us for the times we have turned our backs

on those who are different.

God, we believe you have called us

to live together as one body,

God, forgive us for the times we have created division

within your worldwide church.

God, we believe you ask us to look, listen,

and learn from others,

God, forgive us for the times we have ridiculed and attacked

those with different viewpoints.

God, we believe you ask us to accept and seek to understand

all who are called by your name,

Forgive us for the times we have offended you

by failing to love others as we do ourselves.

God, we believe you call us to be one

even as you are one,

Forgive us for the disunity we have harbored

and make us one.

Pause to offer up prayers for unity within the church

God and Creator of all humankind,

your son Jesus Christ prayed that your church might be one

even as you our God are one.

May you renew our minds and rekindle your love in our hearts,

so that by the power of the Spirit,

we might find the Oneness that you intend for us.

God, may we see in your Oneness

our need for unity,

God, may we see in your Three-ness

our need for community

God, may we see in your creativity

our need for diversity,

God, may we see in your Self

our need to love each other.

Amen.

~ from the Lenten series Journey into Wholeness written by Christine Sine. Published in 2009 by Mustard Seed Associates.  The entire series is available on the Godspace website.  http://godspace.wordpress.com/

Pastoral Prayer: United in Christ

Here’s a prayer of confession and petition from the World Council of Churches. It was posted on the Starters for Sunday website.

Prayer

God of grace,

together we turn to you in prayer,

for it is you who unite us:

you are the one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit –

in whom we believe,

you alone empower us for good,

you send us out across the earth

in mission and service in the name of Christ.

We confess before you and all people:

We have been unworthy servants.

We have misused and abused the creation.

We have wounded one another by divisions everywhere.

We have often failed to take decisive action

against environmental destruction, poverty, racism,

caste-ism, war and genocide.

We are not only victims but also perpetrators of violence.

In all this, we have fallen short as disciples of Jesus Christ

who in his incarnation came to save us and teach us how to love.

Forgive us, God, and teach us to forgive one another.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

God, hear the cries of all creation,

the cries of the waters, the air, the land and all living things;

the cries of all who are exploited, marginalized, abused and victimized,

all who are dispossessed and silenced, their humanity ignored,

all who suffer from any form of disease, from war

and from the crimes of the arrogant

who hide from the truth, distort memory

and deny the possibility of reconciliation.

God, guide all in seats of authority

towards decisions of moral integrity.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

We give thanks for your blessings and signs of hope

that are already present in the world,

in people of all ages and in those who have gone before us in faith;

in movements to overcome violence in all its forms,

not just for a decade but for always;

in the deep and open dialogues that have begun

both within our own churches and with those of other faiths

in the search for mutual understanding and respect;

in all those working together for justice and peace –

both in exceptional circumstances and every day.

We thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ,

and the assurance of resurrection.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

By the power and guidance of your Holy Spirit, O God,

may our prayers never be empty words

but an urgent response to your living Word –

in non-violent direct action for positive change,

in bold, clear, specific acts of solidarity,

liberation, healing and compassion,

readily sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Open our hearts to love

and to see that all people are made in your image,

to care for creation and affirm life in all its wondrous diversity.

Transform us in the offering of ourselves

so that we may be your partners in transformation

to strive for the full, visible unity

of the one Church of Jesus Christ,

to become neighbours to all,

as we await with eager longing

the full revelation of your rule

in the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.

God, in your grace, transform the world.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

~  written for the 2006 Assembly of the World Council of Churches. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer: You Have Made Us One

Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment from Terri on the RevGalBlogPals website.

Prayer

(inspired by Ephesians 2:14, John 17, Galatians 3:28, Romans 12:5)

Almighty God,

by your Holy Spirit

you have made us one with your saints

in heaven and on earth:

Help us to see your presence

burning in the hearts of others;

grant that we may be united

in a fellowship of love and prayer;

give us the courage to pick up our cross

and respond to the needs of the world,

give us the stamina to follow you,

to be your hands and heart in the world;

enable us to witness to your grace and mercy.

We pray all this

through the love your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.  http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/2008/08/take-up-your-cross.html

Prayer: Renouncing Fear

Here’s a prayer from lutheran julia. It was posted on RevGalBlogPauls.

Renouncing Fear: A Prayer

“Say to those who have an anxious heart,

‘Be strong; fear not!’” Isaiah 35:4

Phantasm of fear, I renounce you!

I refuse to call you “spirit” for you are not of God.

You work to oppose the creative forces of the Lord in life and resurrection.

Your efforts will not last.

And you know this.

Delusion of fear, I renounce you!

You may talk loudly, boastfully.

You may bring your buddies, death and destruction, as backup to your threats.

You know your days are numbered.

There is no fear in the life to come.

Specter of fear, I renounce you!

Your work of dividing, fomenting, pain-causing…

We will overcome. With God on our side,

You cannot stand.

Perfect Love, the kind that comes from Christ, casts out fear.

Revenant of fear, I renounce you!

Shrivel and die, you impotent thing!

You may plant, but you will not reap.

You may build, but you will not inhabit.

You may fish, but you will not catch.

There is no home for you, no toe hold, no place of belonging.

You are banished to wither and die… fertilizing the soil of hope and joy.

So be it.

In the name of Christ, so say we all.

~ written by lutheran julia and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Benediction: Living Witness

Here’s a closing commission and benediction from Rev Gord’s Worship Offerings blog.

Commission and Benediction

As people of faith we have gathered for worship.

As people of faith we now return to the world.

Go out to share the story of faith,

the story of life, with the world around you.

We share the faith in word and in deed,

in speech and in action.

As you go out to give a living witness,

as you go out to testify to God's love active in the world,

go knowing that God goes with you,

sharing the laughter and the hope, the fears and the tears.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

Unity Prayer

Here’s a prayer for unity from 20^th century Catholic priest and mystic, Thomas Merton.

Prayer for Unity

“My prayer for all of them is that they will be one….

Then the world will know that you sent me

and will understand that you love them

as much as you love me.” John 17:21, 23

O God, we are one with you.

You have made us one with you.

You have taught us that if we are open to one another,

you dwell in us.

Help us to preserve this openness

and to fight for it with all our hearts.

Help us to realize that there can be no understanding

where there is mutual rejection.

O God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely,

we accept you, and we thank you, and we adore you,

and we love you with our whole being,

because our being is in your being,

our spirit is rooted in your spirit.

Fill us then with love,

and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways,

united in this one spirit which makes you present in the world,

and makes you witness to the ultimate reality that is love.

Love has overcome.

Love is victorious. 

~ written by Thomas Merton (1915-1968)