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/

Call to Worship: Psalm 103

Here’s a simple call to worship adapted from Psalm 103: 1-5.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 103: 1-5)

Come!

Come praise the eternal God!

Let all that is within us—

body, emotions, mind, and will—

praise God’s holy name!

Despite our failures, He forgives and releases us.

More than any doctor, He heals our diseases.

When we are famished and weak,

He fills us with good and beautiful things,

satisfying our needs, and restoring our strength.

So come!

Come, praise the eternal God!

Sing songs from a grateful heart,

and remember all that He has done for us.

Reflection: Matthew 18: 21-22

Here’s a thoughtful reflection on Matthew 18:21-22 - where Jesus teaches about forgiveness. It was written by Cheryl Lawrie, and posted on the [hold this space] website.

70 X 7 + 1

(inspired by Matthew 18:21-22)

They always said

that what he really meant

was a figure so unimaginably large

there was no way

anyone would reach it

that what he was really saying was

you had to forgive

an infinite number of times

and then still more

After all

who could need forgiving that often?

So I forgave

and forgave again

the smirk

the belittling

the ignoring

the dismissing

of everything that mattered

and made me me.

I forgave

and forgave again

the anger

and the names

the threat of the slap

and the bruise of betrayal.

I forgave the life that got sucked out of me

every day.

I forgave

and forgave again

once more

although I didn’t have it in me

although it used up every ounce of love

and hope

I had for him

and for me

and the world

until there was none left

And still I forgave again.

And then

one day

when I had lost count,

when I had passed all the numbers I knew

and couldn’t add a single one

I had the faith

to listen

to the voice that says

Don’t do this forever.

You count too much.

Enough.

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

Prayer of Confession: Way of Life

Here’s a prayer of confession from Alex S. Leung.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty and most merciful father,

We are thankful that your mercy is

higher than the heavens,

wider than our wanderings,

deeper than all our sin.

Forgive our frivolous attitude toward life,

our callousness toward suffering,

our envy of those who have more than we have,

our obsession with creating a life of constant pleasure,

our indifference to the treasures of heaven,

our neglect of your wise and gracious law.

Help us to change our way of life

so that we may desire what is good, love what you love,

and do what you command,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been thus destroyed,

yet in my flesh I shall see God,

whom I shall see for myself,

and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

My heart faints within me!

(Job 19:25-27 ESV)

~ written by Alex S. Leung, and posted on Six Steps. http://sixsteps.org/

Prayer: Psalm 103

Here’s a prayer inspired by Psalm 103.  It was written by Chris Altrock.

Sunrise, Sunset, Sin

My soul praises you, Lord.

You are to us whom you were to Moses–

compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.

Your love is so generous

it seems to stretch from my back porch to the full moon.

If we stand on one side of the globe,

you exile our failures to the opposite side.

They can no more catch us

than the sunrise can catch the sunset.

My soul praises you Lord.

~ written by Chris Altrock, and posted on True North. http://chrisaltrock.com/2012/12/prayer-from-psalm-103/

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 103

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 103 (the suggested psalm for  Proper 19A, Proper 16C, Epiphany 8B), you can find a list at my Contemporary Psalms blog. http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/  The blog is not finished (and likely never will be, since I keep coming across new songs!), but it’s a start.

Follow this link to Psalm 103: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-103.html

Confession: Psalm 103

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Psalm 103. It was written by David Alexander.

Prayer of Confession

(based on Psalm 103)

Holy and Merciful God,
We confess to you our forgetfulness.
We confront today our waywardness.
We accept Lord that we are sinful.
To turn to our past is to recall both your great acts of love and kindness…
as well as many moments and situations where we know we failed you.
Even still… your love remains.

And so in humility and brokenness we pray
We ask you to forgive.
We ask Lord that you would heal.
Buy us back, Lord, redeem us from our slavery to ourselves and our own way.
Crown us again with your acceptance and care.
Satisfy the real thirst of our soul.

Renew us with the strength that only you can give.
Reveal yourself to us again as a God of grace…
Rich in mercy, patient with our wandering.

As far as the rising sun is from the setting sun,
remove our sin from us.

Our lives are dust.
Our existence is temporary.
Our breathe, a gift from you.

Today, Lord, and together, Lord, we declare…
our affection, our adoration and our praise for you.
In the holy and loving name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

~ written by David Alexander, and posted on David’s Bucket. http://davidsbucket.com/psalm103/

Call to Worship: Psalm 103

Come, bless the Lord with me!

For the Lord is like a father to his children

compassionate and merciful,

filled with endless love.

He forgives our sins,

and heals the sickness inside us;

he surrounds us with love and mercy

and fills our lives with good things!

Let’s worship God together!

Call to Worship: Psalm 103

Praise the Lord!

With all our hearts, we will praise God’s holy name!

Praise the Lord!

Never forget the good things God has done for us.

Praise the Lord, all the earth—

everyone, everywhere!

We too will praise the Lord!

Opening Litany: Psalm 103

Here’s a simple opening litany/prayer inspired by Psalm 103.  It comes from the Oratio Contemplativa website.

Opening Litany

(inspired by Psalm 103)

King of all the earth,

Creator of the universe,

Holy Triune God,

From everlasting to everlasting, you are Lord.

You are merciful and gracious, O Lord,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

You forgive all our iniquities

and heal all our diseases;

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

You redeem our lives from the pit

and crown us with steadfast love and mercy;

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

You satisfy us with good

and renew our youth like the eagles;

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

This is our God, the Holy One.

Come before him with thanksgiving

and offer him the sacrifice of praise.

~ excerpted from a longer congregational prayer posted on Oratio Contemplativa. http://oratiocontemplativa.wordpress.com/tag/jeremiah-14-10/

Calls to Worship: Psalm 103: 1-8

With all my heart, I praise the Lord!

With all that I am, I praise God’s holy name!

I will never forget how kind God has been.

He forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick,
and protects us from death.

His kindness and love are a crown on our heads.
Each day that we live he provides for our needs
and gives us the strength of a young eagle.

For all who are mistreated, the Lord brings justice.
He taught his Law to Moses,

and showed all Israel what he could do.

The Lord is merciful!
He is kind and patient,
and his love never fails.

~ based on Psalm 103: 1-8, Contemporary English Version.

Call to Worship: Psalm 103: 1

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

All that is within me,

bless God’s holy name!

Prayer: Psalm 103

Here’s a prayer of confession and thanksgiving inspired by Psalm 103. It comes from the Lutheran World Relief website.

A Prayer based upon Psalm 103

Lord of steadfast love and mercy,
Through your Word, you have set promises before your people.
Promises for good and not for evil,
Promises for care and not for harm,
Promises fulfilled through life and death,
Promises realized through sorrow and joy.

You have washed us clean, and guided us in righteousness.
Eternal is your Word and life-altering your love.

Still, we have strayed all too often and trusted too little.
Our words have been cold, and our hearts closed off.
In emptiness we have trusted and falseness we have acted.

Yet you have washed us clean, and guided us in righteousness.
Eternal is your Word and life-altering your love.

In these seasons of giving and thanksgiving,

remind us of that love which knows no bounds.

Guide us in your desire for justice and forgiveness.

And teach us to give, even as you are giving.

In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen

~ from Lutheran World Relief.  Posted on Seasonings for the Synod. http://seasoningsforthesynod.blogspot.ca/2010/11/prayer-based-upon-psalm-103.html

Litany: Psalm 103

Here’s a responsive litany based on verses from Psalm 103. 

A Psalm of God’s Love

(from Psalm 103)

Bless Yahweh, my soul!

Bless God's holy name, all that is in me!

Bless Yahweh, my soul;

And remember all God's kindnesses:

In forgiving all your offenses,

In curing all your diseases,

In redeeming your life from the pit,

In crowning you with love and tenderness,

In filling your years with prosperity,

In renewing your youth like an eagle's.

Yahweh, who does what is right,

is always on the side of the oppressed.

Yahweh is tender and compassionate,

Slow to anger and most loving.

Yahweh never treats us wrongfully,

Never punishes us as our sins deserve.

As tenderly as a parent treats children,

So Yahweh treats those who fear God.

Yahweh knows what we are made

Yahweh remembers we are dust,

A human lasts no longer than grass,

Lives no longer than a wildflower.

Yet Yahweh's love for those who fear God,

Lasts from all eternity and forever,

Like God's goodness to their children's children,

As long as they keep the covenant.

Bless Yahweh, all angels,

Heroes attentive to God's Word.

Bless Yahweh, all nations,

Servants to perform God's will.

Bless Yahweh, all creatures

In every part of the world.

Bless Yahweh, 0 my soul.

All that is in me bless God's Holy Name.

~ from Thanksgiving Service of Commitment, posted on the Bread for the World website.

http://www.bread.org/

Responsive Call to Worship: Psalm 103: 1-5

Bless the Lord, my soul.

With all my being I bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul,

and forget none of his benefits.

He pardons all my wrongdoing

and heals all my ills.

He rescues me from death's pit

and crowns me with love and compassion.

He satisfies me with all good in the prime of life,

and my youth is renewed like an eagle's.

Bless the Lord, my soul.

With all my being I bless his holy name.

Psalm Reflection: Forgiveness

Here’s a reflection on Psalm 51:13, 15.  It was written by Steve Brown.

Psalm Reflection: Forgiveness

(inspired by Psalm 51:13, 15)

Forgiveness is mercy.
Such pardon and kindness I cannot fathom.

Forgiveness is unfailing love.
Such patience and understanding I cannot comprehend.

Forgiveness is overwhelming compassion.
Such sympathy and warmth I cannot reciprocate.

Forgiveness is the blotting out of transgressions.
Such freedom and good will I do not deserve.

Forgiveness is the washing away of my iniquities.
Such purity and newness I cannot maintain.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Based on (Psalm 51:13,15)

~ posted by Steve Brown on Worship Ideas You Can Use. http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/

Call to Worship & Prayer: Awesome and Majestic God

Here’s a call to worship and opening prayer based on the lectionary texts for October 16, 2011 (Proper 24A, Ordinary 29A).  They were written by Moira Laidlaw.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 99)

People tremble and a tremor runs through the whole earth

when confronted with the great and majestic power of God.
We praise God’s great and holy name.
God’s love for the world is revealed in acts of justice and righteousness.
We bow down before God’s holy presence.
God heard and answered the cries of Moses and Aaron and Samuel,
who experienced God’s righteousness as both judgment and grace.
God’s word of judgment and grace comes to us still,

not in a pillar of cloud, but through the person of Jesus Christ.
We praise God for the Word made flesh present among us,

full of grace and truth.

Prayer of Praise and Adoration

(based on Psalm 99, Exodus 14:19-31, 33:12-23)

Awesome and majestic God,

your creative power, your glory and holiness
were experienced by your people of old

as clouds and fire guiding them to freedom.

They believed that no one could see your face and live.

How blessed therefore are we,

for you have revealed your face to us in Jesus—
the human face of your love.

You also equip us for our journey through life and beyond,

by breathing new and everlasting life into our very beings,
through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

These people of old believed that it was your presence with them

which made them a chosen and special people.

We praise and adore you, O God, for making our lives so special,
by choosing to share your life with us in and through Jesus. 

May this time of worship and the service of our lives

reveal our thanksgiving and our wonder that you should so care for us.

This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on her Liturgies Online website. Visit her site for many other lectionary-based resources for worship.

Prayer of Confession: Matthew 18

Reconciling God,
we would rather gossip
about those who sin against us,
than speak to them privately;
we would rather parade our wounds
for all to see,
than quietly work toward forgiveness
and reconciliation.
Help us choose the harder road,
the road that opens possibilities
for real healing, real forgiveness,
and real growth in your Spirit.
Help us place the best interests
of our community of faith
above our own need
for public vindication. Amen.

— B.J. Beu, posted on Ministry Matters website.

Readers' Theatre: Romans 14:1-12

Here is a straight-forward two-voice setting of Romans 14: 1-12, one of the suggested scripture passages for September 11, 2011.  It’s taken from The Voice translation.  (See below for publication information.)

Readers’ Theatre

(Romans 14: 1-12, from The Voice)

One:     It’s high time that you welcome all people weak in the faith

            without debating and disputing their opinions.

Two:    Here’s the issue:

            One person believes that nothing’s off the menu;

            he’ll eat any food put before him

            with no concern whether or not it has been associated

            with a pagan ceremony.

One:     But here’s another believer—we’ll call him the weaker—

            who eats only vegetables because the meat is tainted

            through contact with an idol.

Two:    If you are an eater of all things,

            do not be condescending to your vegetarian brother or sister.

            In turn, those who abstain from certain foods on religious principles

            should not judge your brothers and sisters who eat meat—

            if God has accepted them, you have no reason to reject them. 

One:     How could you think for a moment that you have the right

            to judge another person’s slave? 

            We all answer to our own Master,

            and we will either stand  or fall in His presence. 

Two:    The good news is that both eaters and non-eaters will stand

            because the Master is able to make it so. 

            There may be a believer who regards one day as more sacred

            than any other,

            while another views every day as sacred as the next.

            In these matters. all must reach their own conclusions

            and satisfy their own minds. 

One:     If someone observes a day as holy, he observes it in honor of the Lord. 

            If another eats a particular diet, he eats in honor of the Lord

            since he begins by giving thanks!

            If yet another abstains from that same food,

            he abstains our of respect for the Lord

            and begins his meal by thanking God too.

Two:    The truth is that none of us lives for ourselves,

            and none dies for ourselves. 

            For if we live, we live for the Lord.

            If we die, we die for the Lord.

            So in both life and death, we belong to the Lord.

One:     The Liberating King died and returned to life to make this a reality:

            through His death and resurrection,

            He became Lord of the living and the dead.

Two:    So how is it that you continue to judge your brother?

            How is it possible for you to look down on a sister?

            We will all stand before the judgment seat of the living God.

            For it is written,

One:     “As I live, so I promise,” says the Lord,

            “every knee will bow down at the sound of My name.

            Every tongue will claim Me as their God.”

Scripture taken from The Voice™.

Copyright ©2006, 2007, 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society.

Used by permission. All rights reserved

Confession: Matthew 18: 21-35

Prayer of Confession

(based on Matthew 18: 21-35)

What if God paid us back in full for all the wrong we have done? 

(pause)

O Lord we seek your mercy...

yet we ourselves look for payback when we are wronged.

We think it “only fair” and “what is right” when we retaliate

  and use harsh words

    and withdraw from relationship.

The forgiveness you offer on our account

  is larger than we can comprehend,

    still we withhold forgiveness

      and carry the grudge over petty items.

We are eager to do your judging.

And the worst: we conspire our inner thoughts

  to secure your forgiveness

    while avoiding honest repentance.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we know in our hearts.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

(pause for reflection and self-examination)

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,

slow to anger and has not dealt with us according to our sins.

Instead, God has chosen the sacrifice of God’s own son on our account.

It is because Jesus Christ pays the last full measure

that our sins are forgiven.

This gift of forgiveness makes us able,

with the power of Holy Spirit,

to choose to forgive, renew

and live again in right relationship with each other and with our God.

In the name of Father, and the Son,

and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. 

—written by Bill Wessner and posted on Confession RCL blog.