Opening Prayer: Feed Us, Lord

Opening Prayer

(based on Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)

Lord,

the eyes of all look to You in hope;

and You give them what they need.

You open Your hand

and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled—

to eat of the Bread of Life,

to drink from Your life-giving streams,

to taste Your goodness and live.

May the time we spend together in Your presence

nourish our hearts and minds;

may it strengthen our relationship with You,

and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.

For You alone are God,

the Source and Sustainer of life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayers of the People: Open Your Hand

Here’s a prayer of intercession which draws on Psalm 145 and Matthew 14:13-21 (the feeding of the 5000).  Feel free to revise it to suit your context.

Prayer of Intercession

(based on Matthew 14:13-21 and Psalm 145:15-16)

Loving God,

You are our Creator and Sustainer.

When You open Your hand,

You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

And so we look to You whenever we are in need,
trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.

As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish,

we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day.

Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.

We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty.

We think especially of the people in Somalia and Eastern Africa

who are facing critical food shortages;

    who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation;

        and watching helplessly as loved ones die.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

We pray for those who are empty emotionally—

who are lonely and long for companionship and love,

        who are caught in the grip of depression,
            or overwhelmed with grief.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

We pray for those who are spiritually empty—

who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn;

    who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look;
        who need You, but do not yet know You.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives.

Pour out Your Spirit on us as well.

Fill us with Your compassion and love,

so that we would willingly share some of our abundance

with those who have need.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that we may be filled.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

who came so that all of humanity might come to know

the abundant life that comes from You.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Offering Prayer: Matthew 14:13-21

This offering prayer was inspired by Matthew 14:13-21, the account of how Jesus uses five small loaves and two fish to feed a vast crowd of hungry people.  

Offering Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 14:13-21)

Merciful God,

the gifts we bring are so small in comparison to the vast needs in our world—

nowhere near enough to save the thousands dying of starvation all around the world,

or even to meet the needs of the hungry and homeless in our city.

Yet we have brought what we can.

As You once multiplied the five small loaves and two fish,

multiply these gifts as well,

so that, once again, the hungry may receive all they need, and more.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayer: Enough for All

Here’s a prayer for the offering inspired by the story of the loaves and fishes in Matthew 14:15-21 (or Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-15). It comes from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand website.

Offering Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 14:15-21)

On my own
what I have to give
doesn't amount to much
in the light of all you have given to me
and in the face of so much need.

Put together as a congregation,
what we offer you here in love
becomes more,
not simply added together,
but somehow multiplied in its usefulness.

We ask you to bless our gifts
and with the addition of your blessing,
just as it was with the loaves and fishes,
there is enough for all.

Amen

~ from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Invitation to Prayer: Psalm 145: 18-19

Brothers and sisters,

God is close to all who call on him;

to all who pray with honesty and sincerity.

So come to this time of prayer

with confidence and expectation,

for God is among us,

and he will hear our prayers.

Call to Worship: Hunger and Thirst

Here’s an opening call to worship from Ann Siddall. It was posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by scripture passages 

like Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, etc.)

Only the hungry search for bread.

Only the thirsty look for water.

This is a place for those who are hungry and thirsty in spirit.

Only those who ache for meaning will pursue it.

Only those who yearn for a deeper life will seek it.

This is a place for those who ache and yearn for something more.

So let us come here today with our hunger and thirst,

our unsatisfied longings, our heart-felt yearnings,

and let the God of life satisfy our souls.

 

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

Prayer: Hunger and Thirst

Here’s a prayer of petition from the Weekly Worship page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer

With those who live 
in dry and weary lands, 
who know what it is to hunger 
and to thirst, 
we pray.

We pray 
that we may learn what it is 
to hunger for you, 
to thirst for justice, 
so all may have daily bread.

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

Call to Worship: Come to the Water!

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 55: 1-3.

 

Call to Worship

(inspired by Isaiah 55: 1-3)

 

Come to the water, all you who thirst—

come drink deeply from the river of life.

 

Come to the water, all you who are weary—

come rest in the quiet pools of God’s love.

 

Come to the water, all you who long for a justice—

come be renewed in God’s ever-flowing stream.

 

For God is here among us,

washing away the dust and grime of our lives,

and pouring out the Spirit on all who thirst.

Let’s worship God together.

~ Christine Longhurst

Call to Worship: Thirsting for God

Here’s a call to worship with a water theme. (Note that World Water Day is March 22.)

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-2, Isaiah 55:1-5,

John 4:13-15, John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6)

We’ve come to worship God,

who makes streams flow from rock,

who turns the parched earth into springs of water,

who sends the rain from heaven

and makes the wilderness blossom and flourish.

As the deer thirsts for flowing streams,

so we thirst for You, O God.

Come, let’s worship our life-giving God,

who pours out living water on all who thirst.

~ Christine Longhurst

Call to Worship: Living in Exile

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Isaiah 40:1-11. It was written by Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Isaiah 40:1-11)

We’ve been in exile.
We’ve allowed ourselves to be tempted

by the idols of things and power.

We’ve found it isn’t what we thought. 

Shopping therapy and yearning for a soda pop

does nothing to build up our world.
They are all fizz and sugar,

satiating only temporarily. 

We’re left with the same emptiness.
We’re left without the spirit-words of God.

We’re alone in harshness and brokenness.

Acknowledging our idolatry and mistakes,

we turn back to the living water.

We turn back to the love that flows forward

bringing justice and hope to all of humanity.
The word that comes from God’s mouth

does not return empty.

God’s word does as God intends.

Always.
Always. 

Amen. 

~ written by Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits: Little bits for worship. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com/

Centering Prayer: Genesis 32

O God who wrestles with us,

circle our hearts,

centre our minds,

still our bodies

be present to us now.

Amen.

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/

Prayer: Genesis 32:24-28

Here’s a prayer of petition inspired by Genesis 32:24-28, where Jacob wrestles with God. It was posted on the Third Space website.

Prayer

(inspired by Genesis 32:24-28)

O Wrestler

contending with us until daybreak,

holding us in the grip of your argument,

grappling with our questions and doubts,

You who strive to deepen us through struggle,

and strengthen us through adversity:

Hold on to us now

in that fierce love that will never let us go.

Bless us, as you name us, as those who have prevailed.

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/

Prayer of Confession: Letting Go

Here is a prayer of confession inspired by Genesis 32:24-28, where Jacob wrestles with God. It was posted on the Third Space website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Genesis 32:24-28)

God has stricken us                                        

And will bind up our wounds

We bring to God

all that is comfortable and self-satisfied in us,

and we let it go.

God has stricken us                                        

And will bind up our wounds

We bring to God the times we have avoided the struggle,

taken the line of least resistance, colluded, and let them go.

God has stricken us                                        

And will bind up our wounds

And because we believe that God does bless us,

we bring to God our questions and doubts and uncertainties,

and we offer them.

Bless us as you name us                                 

As those who have prevailed

We bring to God all that we find hard to deal with,

tasks, relationships, feelings,

 and we offer them

Bless us as you name us                                 

As those who have prevailed

We bring to God all the messy, unwinnable struggles

and adversities that we face,

and offer them

Bless us as you name us                                 

As those who have prevailed

~ posted on Third Space. http://third-space.org.uk/

Prayer for Others: Psalm 145

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Psalm 145. It was written by Thomas Turner, and posted on Everyday Liturgy.

Prayer of Intercession

(inspired by Psalm 145)

Our Creator,

You sustain all life,

give bread to all who need it,

and hear the calls of the poor.

You alone are powerful

and the rightful ruler of the nations,

and you are the provider of safety and security.

We ask that,

as you have graciously provided for us

and our needs,

may you provide for those

who call to you

in despair and dire need.

Grant them their daily bread these coming days. Amen

~ written by Thomas Turner, and posted on Everday Liturgy. http://everydayliturgy.com/ 

Call to Worship: All Who Are Thirsty

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 55:1-5, John 7:37-39 and other water-related passages. It was written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Isaiah 55:1-5, John 7:37-39;

John 4:13-15, Psalm 63:1-2, Revelation 21:6)

Come, all who are thirsty
says Jesus, our Lord,
come, all who are weak,
taste the living water
that I shall give.
Dip your hands in the stream,
refresh body and soul,
drink from it,
depend on it,
for this water
will never run dry.
Come, all who are thirsty
says Jesus, our Lord. 

~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship.  http://www.faithandworship.com/

Words of Assurance: Psalm 145

Here are words of assurance (to follow a time of confession) inspired by Psalm 145.  They come from Howard Wallace’s Home page.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by Psalm 145: 8-9, 13-14)

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

The LORD is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

The LORD is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.

The LORD upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.

Hear the word of the Lord in Jesus:
‘Your sins are forgiven!’
Thanks be to God!

~ written by Howard Wallace, and posted on Howard Wallace’s Home Page. http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/OrdinaryC/Pentecost25Psalm145.html

Benediction: Psalm 145:18-19

Benediction

(based on Psalm 145:18-19)

As you leave this place

remember that you do not go alone.

God is close at hand.

He hears the cry of all who call on His name.

He honours those who honour Him,

listening to their prayers and coming to their aid.

So go from here with joy and confidence,

to love and serve God and one another.

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/

Litany and Prayer: Isaiah 55: 1-11

Here’s a litany and prayer inspired by Isaiah 55: 1-11.  It was written by lutherjulia, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Homecoming

(inspired by Isaiah 55: 1-11)

Home is a place of rest.

My home is in the Lord.

Home is a sense of peace.

My home is in the Lord.

Home is a generous welcome.

My home is in the Lord.

Home is refuge from fear.

My home is in the Lord.

Home is an open table.

My home is in the Lord.

Home is an end to eternal longing.

My home is in the Lord.

God of all places and people,

you are not bound by walls,

contained by addresses,

or limited by borders and barriers.

Open our eyes to see ourselves at home in you,

wherever we are and whatever our experiences.

Teach us to recognize our neighbors

as our fellow travelers and co-habitants,

alive together in You through Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ written by lutherjulia, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/

Prayer: Sharing

Here’s a prayer of reminder based on Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-15. It was written by Rev. Karla Miller.

Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-15)

Five loaves and two fish

are never enough

until you start

giving it away.

Dear God, 

Remind me to

share 

whatever 

is in my basket

today.

You will do the rest. 

Amen.

~ written by Rev. Karla Miller, and posted on A Place for Prayer. http://revgalprayerpals.blogspot.ca/