Call to Worship: Isaiah 43: 2

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 43:2. It was written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution blog.

Call to Worship

(Inspired by Isaiah 43:2)

When we pass through the waters,

God is there with us.

When we suffer and feel hopeless,

God is there with us.

When we are joyful and celebratory,

God is there with us.

Whether we feel triumphant or defeated,

God is there with us, always.

Come, let us worship together with Emmanuel,

God with us. 

~ written by Rev. Mindi, and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/2011/10/23/worship-resources-for-october-30-2011-and-all-saints-day/

Prayer for Illumination: Psalm 99

Here is a prayer for illumination, a prayer traditionally spoken before the reading and preaching of the Word in worship. It was written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Cloud.

Prayer of Illumination

(inspired by Exodus 13-16, Psalm 99)

Mighty God,

you spoke to your people in the pillar of cloud

as they walked together in the wilderness.

Speak to us through your Word today,

that we may hear you calling us

out of the wilderness places in our lives

and into new places you have promised to show us.

In the name of Christ, we pray.  Amen.

~ written by Amy Loving, and posted on The Worship Closet. http://worshipcloset.com/words-for-worship-18th-sunday-after-pentecost/

Prayer for Healing: On Eagles' Wings

Here’s a closing prayer or a prayer for healing from Terri.  It was posted on the RevGalBlogPals website.

Prayer for Healing

God of life

God of hope

God of all

Lift us

on your love

like eagle's wings

Sustain us

Guide us

Heal us

Then send us

forth into

the world

That we

may love

as you love.

Amen.

~ written by Terri, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

Call to Worship: Psalm 62

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 62. It was written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith website.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 62:5-12)

Our souls wait in silence;
our hope rests in God
our rock
our salvation
our refuge.
We will not be shaken.
In this time of worship,
we pour out our hearts
because we trust in God’s steadfast love.

~ written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

Prayer: Breaking Down Barriers

Here’s a prayer of petition from John Bucki, S.J. It was posted on the Social Justice Resource Center website.

Prayer

Lord, Jesus Christ

who reached across the ethnic boundaries

between Samaritan, Roman and Jew

who offered fresh sight to the blind and freedom to captives,

help us to break down the barriers in our community,

enable us to see the reality of racism and bigotry,

and free us to challenge and uproot it

from ourselves, our society and our world.

~ written by John Bucki, SJ, and posted on the Social Justice Resource Center website.  https://socialjusticeresourcecenter.org/prayers/racism/

Prayer to Dismantle Racism

Dear God,

In our efforts to dismantle racism, 

we understand that we struggle not merely against flesh and blood 

but against powers and principalities – 

those institutions and systems that keep racism alive 

by perpetuating the lie 

that some members of the family are inferior and others superior.

Create in us a new mind and heart 

that will enable us to see brothers and sisters

in the faces of those divided by racial categories.

Give us the grace and strength to rid ourselves 

of racial stereotypes that oppress some of us 

while providing entitlements to others.

Help us to create a church and a nation 

that embraces the hopes and fears of oppressed people of color where we live, 

as well as those around the world.

Heal your family God, 

and make us one with you, 

in union with our brother Jesus, 

and empowered by your Holy Spirit.

~ written by the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team. Posted on peaceonjustice and elsewhere.  https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/

Prayer to Heal Racial Division

We thank you, O Lord,

For in your loving wisdom

You created one human family

With a diversity

That enriches our communities.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we always recognize

each member of this human family

As being made in your image and beloved by you,

With worth and dignity.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we may envision a way forward

To heal the racial divisions

That deny human dignity and

the bonds between all human beings.

We pray to you, O Lord

That we may affirm each person's dignity

Through fair access for all

To economic opportunity, housing,

Education, and employment.

We pray to you, O Lord,

That we may have eyes to see

What is possible when we reach out

Beyond fear, beyond anger,

To hold the hand of our sisters, our brothers.

We thank you, O Lord,

For your call and challenge to us

That we may reveal your teachings and your love

Through our actions to end racism

And to proclaim that we are all your children,

heirs to your sacred creation.

Amen.

~ from the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.  This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice. http://www.usccb.org/about/