Prayer of Petition: Romans 10

Here’s a prayer of petition (or opening prayer...or closing prayer) inspired by Romans 10: 8-13.  It was written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Center website.

Prayer

(inspired by Romans 10:8-13)

O God,

may the faith within us get out,

onto our lips,

into our feet and hands,

through our hearts.

May what we sing and pray here in this place,

get past our inhibitions

and into our actions this week.

May the passion for your Gospel

burn within our hearts,

so that we cannot be silent

in the face of deception or injustice.

If old-fashioned ways of sharing faith

do not ring true to us,

then let us persist until we find ways to tell our story

that reveal Your presence in our lives.

Help us, God, please help us

to just get it out, not arrogantly,

but as our humble confession

of what we believe. Amen.

~ written by Ann Siddall, in Lent to Easter liturgies: Year C.  Posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.  http://stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/

Opening Prayer: Hear God's Whisper

Here is an opening prayer inspired by 1 Kings 19:11-13. It was posted on The Minor Key blog. Although it was written in a responsive style, it could also be offered in one voice. 

Opening Prayer

(inspired by 1 Kings 19:11-13)

So often, we expect life to wow and dazzle us.
But God, you often come in the still, the small, and the meek.

So when we're overloaded by constant stimulus and marketing ...
... we pray that you'd settle us with the unforced rhythms of grace.

When our hearts are dried up by apathy and cynicism ...
... we pray that you would open up the wellspring of your mercy.

God, we are seeking you in hopeful expectation.
You are trustworthy and good. 

For this, we give you thanks. Amen.  

~ posted on The Minor Key. http://theminorkeys.blogspot.ca/

Opening Prayer: Psalm 105

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Psalm 105:1-11. Feel free to revise it to suit your context.

Opening Prayer

(based on Psalm 105:1-11)

Lord, our God,

where is there another God like You—

a God of justice and unfailing love,

who stands by every promise made to His people,

generation after generation?

There is no other.

You alone are God.

And so we gather together to worship You:

to give You thanks,

to proclaim Your greatness,

to sing Your praise,

to seek Your face,

and to celebrate Your faithful presence with us.

We pray that Your Spirit would guide and inspire our worship.

Open our mouths to sing and speak Your praise,

open our ears to hear Your Word,

open our eyes to see to You at work among us,

open our hearts to receive Your love.

We offer ourselves to You, in the name of Jesus Christ,

our Saviour and Lord.

Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer: To the Lord of the Harvest

Here’s a prayer of intercession for thanksgiving.

Prayer to the Lord of the Harvest

Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.

Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. Psalm 85:12

Lord of the harvest,

we rejoice in the bounty of your world;

we thank you for the rich harvests it produces.

As we do so,

we remember those who do not have enough,

the thousands who are daily dying of hunger.

We pray for those who have more than they require,

for ourselves and our churches.

Show us what needs to be done,

and how to share the world’s harvest more fairly.

Teach us to value people more than things.

Above all, help us to set our hearts

on your kingdom of love and justice,

and to seek to do your will here on earth,

as servants of Jesus Christ our Lord.

~ from A Treasury of Prayer, compiled by Tony Castle (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1983), 179.

Song: Matthew 14:22-33

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour

~ Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Salomon Ligthelm.  Copyright © 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing).  CCLI Song # 6428767 

Listen here: http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=1987642

A Prayer of Approach

Here is a prayer of approach written by Rev. John Harvey. It was posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Prayer of Approach

God, before time began,

God, after all time ends,

God, of the present moment,

we worship you.

Before our earliest memories

you knew us;

after all memories shall cease

you will know us still.

Out of reach

of the highest endeavours of science;

undefined

by the deepest workings of our brains,

yet to the humble heart,

the questing spirit,

the anguished soul,

the quiet mind,

you choose, in love and mercy,

to make yourself known.

Before such love,

such divinity,

what can we do

but wait in silence,

trusting in you

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God our lover,

look in mercy on our anxious lives.

Day by day

we struggle to achieve,

rarely stopping to ask

if our achievements match your will.

Day by day

we battle to communicate,

rarely remembering to check

if our communication is a channel

for your good news.

Day by day

we endeavour to control,

rarely pausing to ensure

that first we are controlled

by your Spirit.

Forgive the frantic fury

of our anxious lives;

speak to us

in the midst of the struggles

of daily living;

catch us now, we pray,

in a moment of silence,

as we wait, together, on you.

Gracious God,

your love brings

life to dead souls,

light to dark minds,

strength to weak wills.

Show us how to search for you

in the midst of life;

help us to believe and trust

that no wrong we have done,

and no good we have failed to do,

is too great for you to pardon,

through Jesus Christ your Son,

in whose words we now pray together,

and say:

Our Father…

~ written by Rev. John Harvey, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/16290/29_September_2013.pdf

Opening Prayer: Psalm 85

O Lord, be gracious to us.

Look upon your people with mercy.

Forgive our sin.

Bring us back again,

as you have done before.

Speak your word to us—

a word of peace to those who follow faithfully. 

For we know, without doubt, that Your salvation is near;

your glory fills this place.

Let your unfailing love and truth come together among us;

let your righteousness and peace surround us.

Pour out your goodness upon us,

that we may worship and serve you all our days. 

Amen.

Prayer Litany: Psalm 85

Here’s a prayer litany from Psalm 85.  It was written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

Prayer Litany

(based on Psalm 85)

Lord, you were favorable to your land.

You restored our fortunes.

You forgave the iniquity of your people.

You pardoned all our sin.

Restore us again,

O God of our salvation.

Will you not revive us again,

so we may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord.

Grant us your salvation.

Let us hear what God the Lord will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful,

to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.

Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground.

Righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good.

Our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him

and make a path for his steps.

~ written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.  Posted on A Psalm and a Prayer. http://apsalmandaprayer.com/

Prayer: Psalm 85

Here’s a prayer inspired by Psalm 85.  It was written by Nan C. Merrill in Psalms for Praying.

Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 85)

Beloved, how gracious You are to your people;

You restore their souls time and time again.

You forgive their distractions

when they wander far from You;

You give them new life.

Yes, You bless them and raise up new hope;

You awaken their hearts to love.

Restore us again, O Spirit of Truth;

burn us with the refining Fire of Love!

We cannot live separated from You;

cast out the demons of fear, doubt, and illusion.

Revive us again, we pray; may your people rejoice in You!

Have compassion on your people, O Holy One,

and grant us your forgiveness.

Listen, O People, in the silent Chapel of your heart;

and the Beloved will speak of peace to you,

to the hidden saints, to all who turn their hearts to Love.

Surely new life is at hand for those who reverence Love;

O, that harmony might dwell among the nations.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

righteousness and peace will embrace one another.

Wisdom will spring up from the ground

and truth will look down from the sky.

Yes, the Eternal Giver will grant what is good,

and the lands will yield abundantly.

Mercy and compassion are Love’s way;

You will guide our footsteps upon the path of peace

as we recognize with open hearts that You are our peace.

~ Nan C. Merrill, in Psalms for  Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness.  Posted on First Lutheran website. http://www.firstlutheran.com/sites/default/files/file-uploads/0715%20Devotional.pdf

Opening Prayer: Be Still

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation from My Redeemer Lives website.

Prayer of Invocation: Be Still

(inspired by 1 Kings 19:8-15, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 8:23-27,

Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25)

O God who is greater than the most powerful forces in this world,

enable us to be still and know that You are God.

O Lord who answers out of the whirlwind of everyday life,

breathe in us Your Holy Spirit to strengthen, comfort, and guide us in the midst of the storm.

O still, small voice, speak to us this hour

that we might become makers of Your peace

in our homes, in our communities, in our world.

We pray all this in the name of the One who calmed the raging sea. Amen.

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Opening Prayer: 1 Kings 19

Here’s an opening invocation inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15.  It was written by Rev. Heather a. Moody.

Opening Invocation

(from 1 Kings 19: 8-15)

O God, you come to us not in the chaos of the whirlwind,

not in the roar of the earthquake, not in the crackling heat of the fire,

but in the sound of sheer silence. 

Quiet our minds, bring peace to our hearts and stillness to our bodies

that we might meet you in that silence. 

Help us to listen for your still, small voice. 

Give us the courage to go wherever you lead us,

trusting that you will prepare the way. 

We pray this in the name of our Companion on the journey,

Jesus the Christ.

~ written by Rev. Heather A. Moody, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Prayer of the Day: 1 Kings 19: 8-15

Here’s a prayer inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15, where Elijah encounters God at Mount Sinai.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Prayer of the Day

(inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15)

When we feel compelled
to push everything to its limits,
especially you, Holy One,
it is enough that your grace
can slow us down.

When we stand naked and exposed
to the buffeting winds
of our doubts and questions.
it is enough, Healing Servant,
that you clothe us in your peace,
and put our minds at ease.

When we are entangled
in that legion of worries and fears
which consume our lives,
it is enough, Spirit of Silence,
that you untie the knots
and set us free.

It is enough,
God in Community, Holy in One,
that you are with us
even as we pray as Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father . . .

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

Prayer of Confession: 1 Kings 19

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by 1 Kings 19, where Elijah meets God at Mount Sinai.

Prayer of Confession

We come seeking God in mighty earthquakes.

We come listening for God in resounding thunder.

We come expecting God in sweeping victories.

Yet God is found in a baby's touch.

Yet God speaks in silence.

Yet God is found in the least of these.

Save us, O God, from our aimless wandering.

Save us, O God, from our idols.

Save us, O God, from our self-induced chaos.

God, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news of God's love for us;

not in the earthquake, not in the storms, not in the mighty deeds

but in the silence, in the gentle touch, in the quiet rain

God says,

again,

"You are my Beloved. I love you."

~ written by Katherine Hawker (1995), and posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/CPr5.html

Prayer: God of the Still, Small Voice

Here’s a prayer of invocation and petition from My Redeemer Lives website.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15, Psalm 46: 10)

O God of the still, small voice,

quiet our inner spirit.

Help us to focus upon You, and You alone,

to hear Your voice within.

There are so many other voices demanding our attention.

But we cannot attend to them without You....

Be still and know that I am God,

You say to us as You said to Elijah....

May Your voice speak through us.

In weakness, be our strength.

In poverty, be our wealth.

In depression, be our joy.

In apathy, be our love.

We cannot sing Love's song, O Lord,

unless it be Your voice singing in us.

Take this heart, and with this mouth

make Your praise and thanksgiving a reality here and now.

Because of, and in the name of our Messiah, Jesus. Amen.

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Benediction: Proper 7 C

Here’s a closing commission and benediction inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 7 C.  It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

Commission & Benediction

Go now, proclaiming to all how much Jesus has done for you.

Be as one with each other in Christ.
Wait for the Lord, and be ready to hear God’s voice,
even in the sounds of sheer silence.

And may God be your fortress;
May Christ Jesus release you from all that torments you;
And may the Holy Spirit give you light and truth
to sustain you day and night.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ. Amen.

~ Copyright © 2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Call to Worship: 1 Kings 19: 8-15

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Elijah’s encounter with God at Mount Sinai.  It was written by Thom Shuman.

Call to Worship

(inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15)

When we long for the special effects we think life should offer:
it is enough, for us, that God comes in a soft, summer shower.

When we our hearts are cracked by the drought of doubt:
it is enough, for us, that God opens up the fountains of faith for us. 

When our senses are deadened by the sales pitches of our culture:

it is enough, for us, that God wraps us in the silence of grace.

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

Opening Prayer: 1 Kings 19: 8-15

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation inspired by Elijah’s encounter with God at Mount Sinai (1 Kings 19: 8-15).  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Prayer of Invocation

(inspired by 1 Kings 19: 8-15)

Holy God of wind and fire;

Dance through this room today.

Holy God of earthquakes and illness;

Share our tears of sadness and pain.

Holy God of creation and new beginnings;

Show us again your vision of healing and wholeness.

~ written by Katherine Hawker (1995), and posted on Liturgies Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/CPr5.html

Opening Prayer: 1 Kings 19

Here’s an opening prayer of invocation inspired by Elijah’s encounter with God at Mount Sinai.  It comes from My Redeemer Lives website.

Prayer of Invocation

(1 Kings 19: 8-15)

Like Elijah, O God, we turn and face You in the midst of the storm.

Help us this hour to hear You speak to us —

not in the wind, or the thunder,

nor even in the upheaval of the ground beneath us.

Help us to hear You speak to us, in our heart of hearts,

as that still, small voice amidst the maelstrom,

which gives us direction, and peace, and hope.

We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

~ posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html

Opening Prayer: Psalm 85

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by Psalm 85: 8-13. It comes from the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 85:8-13)

Lord God,

speak your peace to your people, gathered here in Jesus’ name.

We confess that our faithfulness to you,

our obedience to your calling,

our righteousness is not steadfast and true.

In living out our praise, we too easily falter after the first page.

Were it not for the lavish gift of your Son, we would be lost.

Through him, however, we turn to you in our hearts,

knowing your steadfast love and faithfulness,

your righteousness and peace.

In him your salvation is at hand.

We thank you.

May this worship reflect your goodness,

as we respond to you with our heart, soul, and mind.

Make a path in the middle of this congregation today,

and walk among us through your Holy Spirit.

This we pray in the name of the One who is your peace, your salvation—

Jesus Christ. Amen.

~ posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.  http://rockhay.tripod.com/

Call to Worship: Psalm 85: 8-13

Here’s a call to worship from Psalm 85. The paraphrase was written by Leslie Ann Billhimer Frye.

Call to Worship

(a paraphrase of Psalm 85: 8-13)

For those who will listen, let them hear:

God will speak peace
     to God's people,
     to God's faithful,
     to those who turn to God in their hearts.

God's salvation is at hand
     for those who fear God.

When our living is right in God's eyes,
When justice makes a path for God's steps,
     Steadfast love and faithfulness meet.
     Righteousness and peace kiss each other.
     Faithfulness springs up from the ground.
     Justice looks down from the sky.
     The LORD gives what is good.
     Our land yields in abundance.
     God's glory dwells among us.

— written by Leslie Ann Billhimer Frye.  Posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website.  http://rockhay.tripod.com/