Prayer of Confession: Mark 4: 26-34

Here’s a thoughtful prayer of confession based on Mark 4 (or Matthew 13:31-32)  It was written by Moira Laidlaw.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Mark 4:26-34, Matthew 13:31-32)

Lord Jesus Christ,

we remember with gratitude those people

who generously sowed the seeds of faith in our lives. 

Pause for a time of reflection

Above all. we recognize how you have blessed our lives

with the gift of the Holy Spirit

so that our faith has miraculously and mysteriously grown. 

We confess the times we fail to involve ourselves

in planting any seeds of faith in the lives of others;
the times when our personal agendas become more important than yours;
the times when we have denied others the opportunity to expand their faith

through our lack of interest or involvement;
the times when our lives become so entangled with the values of the world

that we forget what you have said and done and promised.
  
Lord Jesus Christ, we know that when we become disconnected from you,

our lives becomes parched and unfruitful and our faith becomes stunted and dry. 

Bless and renew our lives, we pray,

so that we remain connected to you at all times and in all places, 

strengthening our faith to expand and, growing strongly and vigorously, 

to bear the fruit of your mercy, your love, your undying life.  Amen.

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online.  Visit that site for many other lectionary-based worship resources.  http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/

Benediction: 2 Timothy 1: 1-14

As you go from here,

may God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord

give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Do not let your faith or your witness grow cold.

Remember: God’s gift of faith is like a flame;

when the embers of that flame have cooled,

you must fan them again to keep them ablaze.

So remember what you have been taught

and what you have experienced.

Live in such a way that all who know you

may see the light of God reflected in you.

And may the grace of God,

the love of Jesus Christ,

and the presence of the Holy Spirit

be with you and among you

in the days ahead.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession: Ignoring the Vision

Here’s a litany of confession inspired by Habakkuk 2: 1-4.  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Litany of Confession

(inspired by Habakkuk 2: 1-4)

For ignoring the vision

breathed by the living Spirit

churning deep within our souls;

Lord have mercy,

Lord have mercy,

Have mercy upon us.

For refusing to look at the vision

alive within those

who look or act or sound different from us;

Christ have mercy,

Christ have mercy,

Have mercy upon us.

For choosing familiarity, ease, and comfort

rather than risking the opportunities

afforded in the vision

Lord have mercy,

Lord have mercy,

Have mercy upon us.

~ based on Habakkuk 2: 1-4.  Written in 1998 by Katherine Hawker for the Evangelical United Church of Christ. Posted on Liturgy Outside. http://liturgyoutside.net/CPr26.html

Closing Prayer: Increase Our Faith

Here’s a responsive prayer of petition and commitment from Bruce Prewer’s Home Page (see below for link).

Sending Out

(inspired by Luke 17:5-10)

Saviour Christ, increase our faith

that we may trust the unseen truths as more important

than bland or trivial physical possessions.

Loving God, increase our hope

that we may reach out for a better tomorrow and be

undaunted by temporary setbacks.

Inspiring Spirit, increase our love

that we may put into the world something of the joy

and compassion which you put into our lives.

For the sake of your new world,

and to your praise and glory.

Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Prayer: Seeing the World Differently

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

Prayer

“If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree,

‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.’”  Luke 17:6

Boundless God,
help us to see the world differently—
not with our own limited vision
but with the gaze of love and justice.

Give us the foolishness to believe that we can change
what the world says is impossible;
and when we lose sight of the power of love to change the world
increase our faith. Amen.

~ posted on the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Centering Prayer: Take from me...

Here’s a centering prayer from David Adam.  It was posted on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website.

Centering Prayer

“Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37: 7

Lord, help me to relax.

Take from me the tension
that makes peace impossible.
Take from me the fears
that do not allow me to venture.
Take from me the worries
that blind my sight.
Take from me the distress
that hides your joy.

Help me to know
that I am with you,
that I am in your care,
that I am in your love,
that you and I are one.

~ written by David Adam in “The Open Gate” SPCK 1994.  Posted on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Invitation: Small Deeps of the Human Heart

We are too complicated.
We seek God here, there and everywhere.
We seek God in holy places, in books,
in rules, regulations, rites and rituals.
We seek God in pomp and glory and ceremony,
in relics and statues
and visions and shrines.
We seek God in Popes and Fathers and saints.

Ah, like lost bewildered children,
we seek outside the God
who waits to be found
in the small deeps
of the human heart. 

~ written by Edwina Gateley, There Was No Path So I Trod One (1996, 2013). From edwinagateley.com. Posted on Journey with Jesus. http://www.journeywithjesus.net/.

Prayer of Praise

Here’s a prayer of praise and petition from the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. It was written by Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson.

Prayer of Praise

Holy God,

we extol and honor you for who you are.

We praise you for your faithfulness

   and for your tender mercies

   that are renewed every morning.

We exalt you, Sovereign One,

   for every blessing of yesterday,

   the gift of this day,

   and the promises of our tomorrows.

Grant us an enduring faith

   as we strive against oppression and despair.

Endow us with contagious joy

   that uplifts the downtrodden

   and inspires hope in you.

Increase in us

   the faith and courage of the prophets,

   the love of Jesus, and

   the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

In your majestic name we pray, Amen. 

~ from “God of Awe and Glory,” written by the Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson, Southeast Area Minister for the Michigan Conference, UCC. Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship_worship-ways

Intergenerational Prayer: 2 Timothy 1:7

Here’s an all-age prayer inspired by 2 Timothy 1:6-14.  It was written by Joanna Harader and posted on Practicing Families.

Intergenerational Prayer

(inspired by 2 Timothy 1:7)

                                                                                        

“…for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice,

but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Dear God,
Sometimes we feel afraid.
Give us your spirit of power.
Sometimes we feel upset.
Give us your spirit of love.
Sometimes we feel confused.
Give us your spirit of self-control.
Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to live in us.
Amen.

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Practicing Families. http://practicingfamilies.com/

Prayer of Confession: Lamentations 3

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by Lamentations 3:19-26.  It comes from the Worship Closet website. (See below for link.)

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Lamentations 3:19-26)

Comforting Spirit,

it is all too easy for us to focus only

on the negative things in life,

instead of celebrating all that you provide

that is positive and good.  

Redirect our wayward hearts, Lord.  

Refocus our wandering minds.  

Remind us of the hope we have in you,

for your love and mercies are without end.

~ posted on The Worship Closet. http://worshipcloset.com/

Lament in Times of Sorrow: Psalm 77: 1-20

Here’s a prayer of lament inspired by Psalm 77: 1-20.  Feel free to revise it to suit your needs.

Prayer of Lament

(inspired by Psalm 77: 1-20)

God, we call out to you!

From the depths of our hearts, we cry,

“Lord, hear our prayer!”

We are consumed by grief.

The events of the past few days have overwhelmed us—

it’s hard to sleep,

it’s hard to eat,

it’s even hard to pray.

Where are you, God?

Deep down, we know that you love us—

we’ve experienced your mercy and your faithfulness in the past,

and it has sustained us through many difficult times.

We refuse to believe that you have deserted us,

or that you are unaware of the pain that we’re feeling.

And so we turn to you again,

longing for your presence,

looking for your comfort and peace.

Surround us with your unfailing love.

Remind us that you alone are God,

and that you hold us in the palm of your hand.

Give us courage and strength to face the days ahead,

and strengthen us in the knowledge that we do not face them alone.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, we pray.

Amen.

Prayer: Renouncing Fear

Here’s a prayer from lutheran julia. It was posted on RevGalBlogPauls.

Renouncing Fear: A Prayer

“Say to those who have an anxious heart,

‘Be strong; fear not!’” Isaiah 35:4

Phantasm of fear, I renounce you!

I refuse to call you “spirit” for you are not of God.

You work to oppose the creative forces of the Lord in life and resurrection.

Your efforts will not last.

And you know this.

Delusion of fear, I renounce you!

You may talk loudly, boastfully.

You may bring your buddies, death and destruction, as backup to your threats.

You know your days are numbered.

There is no fear in the life to come.

Specter of fear, I renounce you!

Your work of dividing, fomenting, pain-causing…

We will overcome. With God on our side,

You cannot stand.

Perfect Love, the kind that comes from Christ, casts out fear.

Revenant of fear, I renounce you!

Shrivel and die, you impotent thing!

You may plant, but you will not reap.

You may build, but you will not inhabit.

You may fish, but you will not catch.

There is no home for you, no toe hold, no place of belonging.

You are banished to wither and die… fertilizing the soil of hope and joy.

So be it.

In the name of Christ, so say we all.

~ written by lutheran julia and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Pastoral Prayer: For Those Harmed by Violence

Here’s a prayer of intercession and commitment on the topic of violence.  It comes from the North Carolina Council of Churches website.

Pastoral Prayer

Let us remember all who have been harmed by violence.

We acknowledge the strength of those who survived

and of those still struggling to heal.

For their sake and for ours,

we commit ourselves to building each other up and to healing together.
Let us remember the families and loved ones

of those who have died in violent crimes.

We acknowledge their pain and their deep grief.
They too are part of our community

and need our love and help towards healing.

Let us remember the perpetrators,

and the families of those who commit violent crimes.
We acknowledge that their lives too are devastated

and their hopes dashed.

For their sake, and for ours,

we remember that pain goes out in many directions from each act of violence.

We will stand up to violence.

We stand together expressing our unity,
Our connection to each other and to God,

Our hope for healing and for transformation.
Let the Spirit of our Creator move through us.

Help us to transform and heal our communities,
And let us begin by transforming ourselves.
We go in peace and with hope. Amen.

~ adapted from “Words of Prayer.”  Posted on the Lectionary Resources page of the North Carolina Council of Churches website. http://www.ncchurches.org/

Opening Prayer: Presence and Absence

Here’s a prayer of approach inspired, in part, by Psalm 22:1 and Habakkuk 1: 1-4.  It was written by Rev. John Harvey, and posted on Starters for Sunday.

Prayer of Approach

(inspired by Psalm 22:1, Habakkuk 1: 1-4)

Living God,

we come to you now,

in wonder.

We have heard of your works -

as Creator, Upholder, In-dweller,

Lover of all –

and we have known you

in our own times,

in our own lives,

in the lives of our neighbours.

Before the mystery

of your presence all around

and within,

it is right for us to be silent,

and to offer thanks and praise.

Optional sung response, like “Be still and know that I am God.”

But, living God,

we also come to you

in anger and despair.

We look out,

and see children dying of hunger,

see nations torn apart by war,

see greed and corruption blighting

the lives of millions.

And we look within,

and see our complicity in much of this,

see our compromised lives,

see our broken hearts,

our broken promises;

and before the mystery of evil rampant

and injustice unpunished,

we ask, “Where were you, God,

when all this went so wrong?”;

hear us as lift our voices to you

and cry

“O God, why have you abandoned us?”

In silence, then,

before the mystery

both of your presence and of your absence,

we wait upon you now.

Optional sung response, like “Be still and know that I am God.”

~ written by Rev. John Harvey, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayer: Lamentations 3

Here’s a prayer of hope inspired by Lamentations 3: 22-26. It was written by Bob Hostetler.

Prayer

(inspired by Lamentations 3: 22-26)

Lord, I praise you

because your unfailing love

never ends!

By your mercies I have been kept from complete destruction.

Great is your faithfulness;

your mercies begin afresh each day.

You are my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in you.

You are unfailingly good

to those whose hope is in you,

to those who seek you.

Teach me to wait quietly for your salvation.

Help me to submit to your yoke of discipline.

Let me sit alone in silence beneath your demands.

Amen.

~ written by Bob Hostetler, and posted on Bob Hostetler’s Prayer Blog. http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2011/03/lamentations-3-prayer.html

Call to Worship & Prayer: 2 Timothy 1: 9-10

Here’s a call to worship and opening prayer inspired by 2 Timothy 1: 9-10.  They were written by Norman D. Yeater.

Call to Worship

God has saved us and called us to a holy life—

not because of anything we have done,

but because of his own purpose and grace.

This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus

before the beginning of time,

but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior,

who has destroyed death

and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Let us worship God.

Opening Prayer

Spirit of God,

enlighten our hearts to the reality of divine presence in our midst.

Let our worship be pleasing in your sight,

so that our gathering is an experience of deep communion

with you and one another.

In the name of Jesus Christ, this is our prayer. Amen.

~ written by Norman D. Yeater.  Posted on the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren website. http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/orders/2010/10-10-03.htm

Benediction: Lamentations 3: 22-25

As we go from here to face the joys and challenges of the coming week,

remember this:

The faithful love of God never ceases; it is inexhaustible!

God’s mercy and compassion is new every morning!

Great is Your faithfulness, O God!

So go into the week ahead with courage, and with joy.

Trust in God, and wait patiently for Him to act.

For God is good to all who seek Him;

and God’s loving presence goes with us.

Confession: Lamentations 1: 1-6

Here’s a prayer of confession and words of assurance inspired by Lamentations 1: 1-6 and 2 Timothy 1: 1-14, two of the suggested scripture readings for Proper 22, Year C.  They come from the Ministry Matters website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Lamentations 1: 1-6)

With the weepers we weep.
With the warriors we yearn for peace.
With the exiles we wander far from home,
for our hearts wander far from you.
We live in an uncertain world—
time and again we turn to people
who promise us security.
But God, you are our only source of safety.
Help us turn to you,
our heart’s true home.
Call us again and lead us home.
Author of peace,
teach us to seek our peace in you.
Source of every blessing,
forgive us for the multitude of our transgressions.
Rekindle a spirit of love and self-discipline within us,
through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Words of Assurance

(inspired by 2 Timothy 1: 1-14)

Our Savior Jesus Christ abolished sin and death
and brought life and immortality to light.
By the grace of the Eternal One,
we are forgiven in the power of the Holy Spirit
living within us.

~ posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/

Benediction: 2 Timothy 1

Here’s a closing commission and benediction inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 22 C, especially 2 Timothy 1: 1-14.  It was written by Nathan Nettleton.

Commission & Benediction
(inspired by 2 Timothy 1: 1-14)

Go now, relying on the power of God.
Guard the good treasure God has entrusted to you
and hold firm to the teaching of the apostles.
Remember one another in your prayers
and continue to offer yourselves for the gospel.

And may God give you grace, mercy and peace;
May Christ Jesus lead you into life and faith;
And may the Holy Spirit live within you
and rekindle good gifts within you.

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

~ copyright © 2001 Nathan Nettleton LaughingBird.net

Confession to the Divine Gardener

Here’s a prayer of confession which uses a gardening metaphor.  It was written by James E. Janecek.

Prayer of Confession

The Divine Gardener cannot sow seeds of justice and peace

where there is nothing but hearts of dry, hard rocks. 

We confess that our hearts may need tilling

and the digging out of the deeply rooted sins

that crowd out seedlings planted with divine compassion.

God of steadfast love,

you change bitter tears of remorseful hearts

with raindrops  of mercy,

Now let us germinate a new life, growing with integrity!

God of steadfast love,

you change the cold shame of contrite hearts

with sunrays of mercy

Now let us sprout a new life, growing with honesty!

God of steadfast love,

you change the stony edges of repentant hearts

into landscapes of mercy,

Now let us branch out into new life, growing with generosity!

Assurance of Pardon

Divine Gardener,

You tend us in steadfast love,

Unending mercies, and eternal faithfulness;

you cultivate true friendship with you

through boundless forgiveness. 

In Christ, this faithful love is planted in our hearts. 

Gathered as your community of believers, our family of faith,

with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us,

we can now produce forgiveness for each other as we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

~ written by James E. Janecek , in Seeds of Faith:  Service Prayers for the Nineteenth  Sunday after Pentecost.  Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways archive.

http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/year-c/p/pentecost-ordinary-time-21.html