Lenten Prayer: A prayer for new life

Here’s a prayer for Lent from Pamela C. Hawkins.  It comes from the Prayers and Creeds website.

Prayer for Lent

O God, who makes all things new,
new stars, new dust, new life;
take my heart,
every hardened edge and measured beat,
and create something new in me.

I need your newness, God,
the rough parts of me made smooth;
the stagnant, stirred;
the stuck, freed;
the unkind, forgiven.

And then, by the power of your Spirit,

I need to be turned toward Love again. Amen.

~ by Pamela C. Hawkins, in The Awkward Season: Prayers for Lent (Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2009), 30. Posted on Prayer and Creeds, https://prayersandcreeds.wordpress.com/

Prayer Reflection: A Place Called Home

Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment inspired by Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 (the story of the prodigal son).  It was written by Roddy Hamilton and posted on Mucky Paws.

Place

(inspired by Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)

Loving God

may we be found

and may we find

a place called home

a place where faith holds us

and grace renews us

where forgiveness longs for us

to be who you will us to be

may we find a place called home

where we are accepted as we are

where we are taken in

and loved unconditionally

a place called home

where we belong

and our souls fit

and our questions are allowed

and our anger is heard

and our needs are recognised

and our pain is held

and our names are known

and may this

be that place, O God,

this community

this group of travellers and doubters

and companions on the way

this home

where your place

is our place

and place isn’t a building

but a way of being together

in relationship

held together

by love

Loving God

Homecoming God

may we make this a home

to all who still yet seek

a place of grace-filled sanctuary

and gracious welcome

So be it

Amen

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Prayer of Confession: Welcoming God

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:1-32). It was posted on the Monthly Prayers (now Weekly Worship) page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 15:1-32)

Beloved God, 
with the eagerness of a child,

you wait for our coming, 
with the urgency of a mother,

you long for our return 
with the anxious heart of a father,

your arms ache to hold us. 
The disappointment,

the judgment,

the turning away, 
that’s us, not you. 

Forgive us and heal us 
of everything in us

that recoils from our common humanity. 
You have given us such worth; 
help us to take all creation at your valuation 
and to know ourselves,

and all your children,

precious and loved.

~ originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship

Prayer: Luke 15 - Prodigal Son

Here’s a prayer inspired by Luke 15: 11-32. It was written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.

Prayer

(based on Luke 15:11-32)

Father,

it was said of the Prodigal Son that he “came to himself.”

Help us to wake up to ourselves, and to You.

Set us free from the illusion of trying to be perfect

so that we might be more fully human.

Help us not to chase after an imaginary life,

and to find satisfaction in our real lives.

And turn us away from our self-rejection

so that we might see that Your arms open in welcome. Amen.

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.  http://www.stillpointsa.org.au/

Prayer: Open Arms

Here’s a prayer inspired by the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). It comes from the Anglican Church of Canada website.

Prayer

(inspired by Luke 15:11-32)

Eternal Lover of our wayward race,

you open your arms to accept us

even before we turn to meet your welcome;

you invite us to forgiveness

even before our hearts are softened to repentance.

Hold before us the image of our humanity made new,

so that we may live in Jesus Christ,

your new creation. Amen.

~ from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002, alt. Posted in “Trial Use Collects and Prayers Over the Gifts for Year C” on the Anglican Church of Canada website. http://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/Trial-Use-Collects-Lent-1C-through-Lent-5C.pdf

Prayer: Defying Expectation

We are sinners…

            we are not only sinners
We are weak…

            we are not only weak
We fail…

            we are not always failures
We have destroyed…

            also we have loved

You, God, do not limit us

to the stories by which the world knows us

You see much more in us

than the labels we give ourselves

Give us courage to defy all expectations –

especially our own –

and in your love

become all of who we are.

~ written by Cheryl Lawrie and posted on [hold this space].  http://holdthisspace.org.au/

Prayer: Encounters with Jesus

Draw me today into fresh encounters with Jesus, O God.

Make me a servant of love

so that others may know how much You love them

and I may know how much You love me.

Let me not be afraid of new pastures,

whether they be green or brown or parched.

And as I pass through whatever the day’s valleys,

keep my head lifted up to the mountain,

from whence my help comes.

Never let me forget the people Jesus welcomed…

   the greedy and the great,

   the bad and the good,

   the respected and the cheats.

Even as the world becomes more callous and chaotic,

may I never underestimate Your capacity

to fashion the miraculous from the monstrous,

even to make me a choice masterpiece

from the mire and the clay.

~ written by Leonard Sweet, posted on Preach the Story. https://preachthestory.com/

Prayer of Intercession: 2 Corinthians 5

Here is a prayer for others inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. It was written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

Reconciling Christ, bless our efforts to bring about reconciliation.

Give us the strength to persevere without counting the hurts,

and to find within ourselves the capacity to keep on loving.

Give us the grace to be able to stand in the middle of situations,

and to be a conduit for the deep listening

which can lead to healing and forgiveness.

Help us to conduct ourselves with dignity,

giving and expecting respect, moving from prayer to action,

and from action back again into prayer.

Grant that we may be so grounded in your love,

that our security is not threatened if we change our minds,

or begin to see a better way to act.

Bless those who are called to reconcile on a large-scale –

politicians, world leaders, leaders of business,

and those who stand in the midst of bitter conflict.

Reconciling Christ, bless us and bless all who engage

in the sacred work of envisioning new wholeness,

and bringing people and nations together. AMEN.

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.  http://www.stillpointsa.org.au/

Contemporary Hymn: Prodigal (Luke 15)

Here’s a new hymn text inspired by Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (the parable of the Prodigal Son).  It was written by Colleen Kristula.  She wrote it to be sung to the tune for “Open my eyes that I may see.”  (Listen here.)  

Prodigal

When we are farthest from our God, lost in a strange and foreign world,

Hungry and empty, homeless and poor, weary of wandering, weak and worn,

God runs the pathway to our hearts, opening arms that bring new starts.

“Celebrate now, my child is found!” God cries with joy.

When we are tempted to deny God’s grace to others we despise;

When we cry out: “Unworthy! Unfair!  That such a sinner has a share!”

God seeks us in our righteous pride, pleading with us to come inside:

“Celebrate now, my child is found!” God cries with joy.

Hope is our God who welcome brings music, new sandals, robes and rings.

Grace is the table set for the feast, offered to all, from great to least.

Love is forgiving when we stray, Love is affirming when we stay.

“Celebrate now, my child is found!” God cries with joy.

~ Copyright © 1998 by Colleen Kristula.  The author gives permission for this hymn to be used in worship, as long as credit is given.

Call to Worship: Prodigal Son (Luke 15)

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.  It comes from the Ministry Matters website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Luke 15:11-32)

Come, let us celebrate the forgiving, reconciling love of God.

For once we were lost and felt so far away; 

now we have been found and welcomed home.

Know that God’s love is lavished upon you forever.

We rejoice at the news of forgiveness and hope!

Come, let us celebrate and praise the God of Love.

AMEN!

~ written by Nancy Townley, and posted on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/3623/worship-connection-march-6-2016

Prayer of Confession: Luke 15

Here’s a confession inspired by the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.  It was written by Joanna Harader (see links below).

Prayer of Confession: Space

(inspired by Luke 15: 11-32)

Holy One,

The space between us is too great–

this agonizing expanse between you and us:

The rift we have created by demanding our share.

The distance we have put between us as we flee to a far country.

The resentment we hold when things don’t seem fair.

Our refusal to join your gracious party.

Forgive each selfish request

each step away

each bitter thought

each joyless rejection.

Forgive us

and run toward us

with open arms.

~ written by Rev. Joanna Harader, and posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/  Joanna blogs at Spacious Faith. http://spaciousfaith.com/

Pastoral Prayer: Prodigal Grace

Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11-32.  It was written by Terri and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Prayer: Prodigal Grace

(inspired by Luke 15: 11-32)

Holy and Gracious God

You, the one of prodigal grace
We give you thanks for the gift of life
and for the blessings of this life,

for family and friends and

love abundant.

Lead us through the trials
the suffering and sorrow
the challenges and struggles
the tired time, despair and bleak places,

back to you, and

love abundant. 

Be with those who weep
or cannot sleep
who have no peace
who seek release

and comfort them with

love abundant.

Fill us with hope, 

sustained in your mercy,
with patience and stamina

upheld by your Holy Spirit

in your prodigal grace. 

Transform us and all our broken ways 

transforms us that we can be
made whole

And in wholeness
may we be
the hands and heart of Christ. Amen.

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

Call to Worship: Reconciling God

Here’s a responsive call to worship from the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Call to Worship

In the name of God,

who created us,

who holds us and the whole world in his hands

In the name of the Son

who came into the world,

who reconciles us with God.

In the name of the Holy Spirit

who fills us with eternal life,

who links us with all Christians

and incites us to peace,

we come together to offer our thanks and praise.

~ from the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday suggestions for Lent 4C, from the Very Rev. Dr. Sheilagh Kesting.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer of Confession: Prodigal Son

Here’s a prayer of confession and commitment inspired by the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32). 

 

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 15: 11-32)

 

How easily we leave your side, Lord God,

for a place far away.

We are blind in our darkness,

so open our eyes to our sins.

 

Unless you strengthen our spirits

and create our hearts anew,

we cannot make the journey home.

 

Guide us to your welcoming arms;

to the music and the dancing,

for we are easily lost,

and only you, our Father,

can find us.

~ posted on www.cptryon.org/prayer/season/sunday-lent/4c.html

Prayer of Confession: Prodigal Son

Here’s a prayer of confession and commitment inspired by the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32). 

 

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Luke 15: 11-32)

 

How easily we leave your side,

Lord God,

for a place far away.

We are blind in our darkness,

so open our eyes to our sins.

 

Unless you strengthen our spirits

and create our hearts anew,

we cannot make the journey home.

 

Guide us to your welcoming arms;

to the music and the dancing,

for we are easily lost,

and only you, our Father,

can find us.

~ posted on www.cptryon.org/prayer/season/sunday-lent/4c.html

Call to Worship: God is Gracious

Here is a call to worship from Rev. Daniel Commerford at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Georgia.  It was posted on the LiturgyLink website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Joel 2: 13-15, Hosea 14:1,

Psalm 145:8, Zechariah 1:3)

Return to the Lord your God,

for God is gracious.

Confess to the Lord your God,

for God is merciful.

Repent to the Lord your God,

for God is slow to anger.

Praise the Lord your God,

for God abounds in steadfast love.

Worship the Lord your God.

Together, let us worship God!

~ written by Rev. Daniel Commerford, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Covington, GA.  Posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/

Prayer Reflection: Return (Luke 15)

Here’s a thoughtful reflection (or gathering words?) inspired by Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.  It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws.

Return

(inspired by Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)

let this be the welcoming place

the place of return

and let it be built by a love

that bends towards those who return here

for it is a love that has been waiting

like a candle in the window

ever lighting the way back

and never willing to let go

the hope that each child

will return home

let it be the place where

the only appropriate response

to love that has come to the end of its longing

is to kill the fatted calf,

feast and celebrate

send up balloons

and prepare the party

for that which has been lost

has returned to be among us

once more

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Prayer of Confession: Reconciliation

Here’s a prayer of confession from the Starters for Sunday website.

 

Prayer of Confession

 

Eternal God,

Creator of all that is,

In you we live and move and have our being.

You have placed us on earth

and sustained our being through the produce of the land

and the cleanness of the air we breathe.

You have made us for each

to tend and care for the weak

and ensure a just sharing of the earth’s resources.

 

But we are part of a proud and hard-hearted people

who hoard what the earth provides

and seem loathe to share the fruits of our labours,

who live for today with little thought for tomorrow

who are afraid to let pain and suffering affect us.

 

Incarnate God, you know us in our inner being.

In your grace you offer us forgiveness

even before we have the chance to articulate our sorrow.

You embrace us in all our sinfulness

and in doing so give us the chance to start again

to learn from the example you have given us in Jesus,

who chose the way of the Cross

that all might know the depth of your love for all you have made.

 

Spirit of God

open our hearts and minds

that we may grasp your forgiveness,

and forgiven seek to forgive others

and to live a life of reconciling love

modelled on the example of Jesus Christ

in whose name we make this prayer. Amen

~ from the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday suggestions for Lent 4C, from the Very Rev. Dr. Sheilagh Kesting.  http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer for Reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5: 18

Here’s a prayer of reconciliation based on 2 Corinthians 5:18. It was posted on the Reformed Church of America Website.

Prayer for Reconciliation

(Based on 2 Corinthians 5:18)

 

Loving God,
you have reconciled us in Christ Jesus
and have given us the ministry of reconciliation.

We pray for all those from whom we are estranged.
Bring healing to strained or broken relationships.
Forgive us for the times we have wronged others,
whether by ignorance, neglect, or intention.

Grant us the courage and the grace to seek their forgiveness
and opportunity to make amends.
Where others have wronged us,
grant us a gracious spirit,
that we might forgive
even as we have been forgiven in Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ from Prayers for Peace and Justice, posted on the Reformed Church in America website.

https://www.rca.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=1871

Invitation to Confession: Psalm 32

Blessed are those whose wrongs have been forgiven,

whose sin is hidden from sight.

Blessed are those whose sin is covered,

who no longer lie to themselves, or others.

Come, let us confess our sins to the Lord.

Let all who are devoted to God speak honestly to God,

while God is listening.

For then, when the floods come, the rushing water will not reach us.

God is our hiding place, and will keep us out of trouble,

surrounding us with songs that remind us we are free.

Come, let us confess our sins to the Lord.

For God will teach us, and show us the way we should go.

God will keep watch over us.

Come, let us confess our sins to the Lord.