Pastoral Prayer: Christ the King

Here is an opening or pastoral prayer inspired by the scripture texts for Proper 29B (Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday). It was written by Thom Shuman and posted on Lectionary Liturgies.

 

Prayer

Almighty God:
from the beginning of time
to the end of eternity,
you have chosen 
to use your power and majesty
     to love us,
     to redeem us,
     to shape us as your people.
 
King of Kings 
and Lord of Lords:
you became weak
     so you could confront
     the strength of sin and death,
confounding their ridicule
with your resurrection.
 
Spirit of God,
resting upon us:
may your power enflame us
     with your peace;
may your peace touch us 
     with your grace;
may your grace fill us 
     with your hope;
may your hope lead us
into your Kingdom.
 
God in Community, Holy in One,
may your word be on our lips,
as we pray together as Jesus
has taught us, saying,
(The Lord’s Prayer) 

 

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

Blessing: May God Bless Your Eyes

Here’s a blessing/benediction from Jan Richardson’s the painted prayerbook website.

Blessing

May God,
who comes to us
in the things of this world,
bless your eyes
and be in your seeing.

May Christ,
who looks upon you
with deepest love,
bless your eyes
and widen your gaze.

May the Spirit,
who perceives what is
and what may yet be,
bless your eyes
and sharpen your vision.

May the Sacred Three
bless your eyes
and cause you to see.

~ from In the Sanctuary of Women, copyright © Jan L. Richardson.  Posted on the painted prayerbook. http://paintedprayerbook.com/

Prayer: A New Vision

Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment from the Church of Scotland’s Worship page.

Prayer

O God, our Heavenly Father,

give us a vision of our world as Your love would make it:

a world where the weak are protected

and none go hungry or poor;

a world where the benefits of civilized life are shared,

and everyone can enjoy them;

a world where different races, nations and cultures

live in tolerance and mutual respect,

a world where peace is built with justice,

and justice is guided by love;

and give us the inspiration and courage to build it,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

~ Geoffrey  Brown and John Pridmore, St Martin-in-the-Fields’ Prayer for the World. Posted on The Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website. https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship

Confession: Call Us Into Your Reign

Here’s a prayer of confession and words of assurance inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 29, Year B. They were written by Rev. Mindi and posted on the Rev-o-lution blog.

Prayer of Brokenness/Confession

Sovereign God,

we confess we have given idols power over us,

the idols of power and wealth, fame and security.

We confess we have fallen into the ways of this world

and have forgotten our kindred in Christ.

We have lost sight of the reign of God here on earth,

and instead have allowed the idols of the world to rule over us.

Forgive us.

Call us into Your reign,

to declare You the One who has power over us

because Your power is love.

Call us to love our neighbors as ourselves,

and to work for justice, show mercy, and love one another

in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus came to us not to reign as a king over us,

but to serve us,

and to show us the way of God is the way of love.

Jesus said the first would be last and the last would be first.

Jesus called us to become humble and serve one another,

and that the most important commandment

was to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This is the way of our Sovereign.

Go, knowing you are forgiven,

and love and serve one another,

especially our neighbors in need,

as Christ serves us. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on the Rev-o-lution blog. http://rev-o-lution.org

Prayer for Others: Christ the King Sunday

Here’s a prayer of intercession for Proper 29. It was written by Rev. Tina Kemp and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website.

 

Prayer of Intercession

for Reign of Christ Sunday

 

Lord, as You hung on a cross,

Your first thought was for others.

You forgave the ones

who ridiculed and tortured You,

You accepted the criminal

who hung beside You.

And it was You who made a mockery

of the sign they placed

above Your head.

For little did they know

that they did indeed

gaze at a king.

 

We don’t need signs and labels

to recognise Your power

and Your authority, Lord.

It is because we have seen

the unlikely become reality;

because we have witnessed You

in the unexpected,

and because we believe

in truths honed by a carpenter’s son,

that we dare to hope, Lord,

that Your kingdom has come among us

and continues to come,

day after day,

among the poor and the lonely,

the sick and the weary,

the angry and the abused,

the warmongers and the peace seekers.

 

And so it is for those

and others whose lives are touched

by grief and greed,

injustice and injury,

emptiness and endlessness

that we pray now,

trusting in the goodness and the grace

that retrieved lost sheep and wayward sons;

that consoled grieving mothers

and weeping women at a tomb;

that fed aching stomachs

and eager minds;

that soothed the open wounds

of untouchables

and the throbbing scars of hatred;

that laid open itself

to pain, rejection and abandonment

so that we might know healing,

acceptance and belonging.

 

And if we catch only a glimpse

of Your mercy among the hardness of life,

if we can sense Your presence

only for a fleeting moment

in the busyness of life,

if we can witness that wholeness

happens among the brokenness of life,

then we will know

that Your kingdom has come

and we pray that Your will be done.

This day and always, for Jesus’ sake

and in his name we pray.

Amen.

 

~ written by Rev. Tina Kemp and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

A Responsive Prayer for Justice

Here is a prayer for justice from Rebecca Sutton, Program Coordinator of Global Women’s Exchange. This prayer was developed for the NY State Labor-Religion Coalition’s seventh annual 40-hour fast.  It was also part of Prayers for a Just Economy, a 2013 prayer service calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage. The prayer was posted on the United Church of Christ website. 

Prayer for Justice

Pray for those who are hungry.

Pray harder for those who will not feed them.

Pray for those who struggle each week to pay their bills.
Pray harder for the wealthy who do not care.

Pray for those who are homeless.
Pray harder for those who deny them shelter.

Pray for the sick and lonely.
Pray harder for those who will not give them comfort.

Pray for those who cry out for dignity.
Pray harder for those who will not listen.

Pray for those oppressed by unjust wages.
Pray harder for those who exploit them.

Pray for those who bear the yoke of prejudice.
Pray harder for those who discriminate against them.

Pray for those whose basic needs are denied.
Pray harder for public officials who cater to the greedy

and ignore those bound unjustly. Amen.

~ written by Rebecca Sutton, Program Coordinator of Global Women’s Exchange. Posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/justice_worker-justice_labor-sunday_worship-resources#liturgy

Affirmation: You Call Us to Service

Here is an affirmation or statement of commitment from John Birch. It was posted on his Faith and Worship website.

Affirmation: You Call Us to Service

You call us to service;
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this, your world.

To open our eyes not only
to the beauty and love which you create,
but the injustice,
hate and suffering that humankind generates.

To open our ears not only
to the chattering of this coming week,
but the searching,
fears and questioning of all whom we shall meet.

To open our hands not only
to those we choose our lives to share,
but in welcome,
love and fellowship to all who you draw near.

To open our mouths not only
to speak platitudes and simple words,
but the truths you lay upon our hearts.
Your Word for this, your world.

You call us to service,
to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this, your world.

~ written by John Birch and posted on his Faith and Worship website. http://www.faithandworship.com/liturgy_Lent_3.htm#ixzz1lkU9wBx2

Call to Worship: O come let us worship

Here’s a call to worship with allusions to Psalm 95:6, Psalm 24:1 and Isaiah 9:2. It was written by Leonard Sweet and posted on Preach the Story.

Call to Worship

(referencing Psalm 95:6, Psalm 24:1 and Isaiah 9:2)

O come let us worship and lift our hearts . . .

Not because the world is good and last week was awesome,

but because the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,

the God of the whole Earth.

O come let us worship and raise our hands . . .

Not because our lives are all sweetness and light,

But because even those who walk in darkness

can see a great light,

the Bright and Morning Star

O come let us worship and bow down . . .

Not because God gives us what we want,

But because God gives us what we need –

the holy child Jesus, God’s Unspeakable Gift.

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

Confession: Like a Shepherd

Here is a prayer of confession inspired by passages like Psalm 23, John 10:11-18 and Psalm 100. It was written by Rev Dan Carmichael, Minister of Lenzie Union. It was posted on The Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website.

Prayer of Confession

(inspired by Psalm 23, Psalm 100 and John 10:11-18)

Lord, like a shepherd,

You never stop searching for Your people,
Your care for us anticipates our need.
Before we recognized we needed Your grace,
in love, Jesus gave His life for our forgiveness.

We confess that we need Your forgiveness,

we confess our sins:
You are the shepherd  and we are Your flock,

but we admit the times we have tried to take Your place  

and take control ourselves.
We admit that we have not always trusted

Your good news to be good for us.

At times we have pleaded with You to care for us,
but we have held back from caring for others

and ignored the needs of others.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Forgive us in the name of Jesus.
Loving shepherd, 

teach us by the Holy Spirit to follow You

in the days and places of the weeks ahead.
Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. 

~ written by Rev Dan Carmichael, Minister of Lenzie Union. It was posted on The Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Psalm 100 Call to Worship

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Dave Hopwood. It was posted on Area 52/engage worship.

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 100)

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.

Bring your silence and your shouting,

as introverts and extroverts.

Worship the LORD with gladness;

come into his presence with singing.

Bring your songs and your stories,

your struggles and your sacrifices.

Know that the LORD is God.

It is he that made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

He designed and created us,

he understands us and is intensely interested in us.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name.

Bring your gifts and your personalities,

your strengths and weaknesses.

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

He is just and wise,

honest and true,

caring and compassionate,

eternal and holy; he is God. 

~ copyright © Dave Hopwood/engageworship.org. Posted on Area 52/Engage Worship. https://engageworship.org/

Prayer of Transformation

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving and commitment from Catholic Relief Services.

Prayer of Transformation

Lord, I was a pile of ash

and you made me a light for the world.

I was a stone,

and you made me salt for the earth.

I was as lifeless as clay

and you made me part of the Body of Christ.

I was sinful

and you made me holy.

I was nothing

and you made me part of everything.

Lord, in you I am transformed

and transformed still again.

When the discouraged cry for hope, make me hope.

When the hungry cry for bread, make me bread.

When the thirsty cry for water, make me water.

When the suffering cry for help, make me help.

When the sick cry for healing, make me healing.

When the bound cry for freedom, make me freedom.

When the outcasts cry for love, make me love.

Lord who is hope

who is bread and water,

who is help and healing,

who is freedom,

and who is love,

transform me anew,

and so keep me close to you,

as you transform the world. Amen.

~ posted on the Catholic Relief Services website. https://www.crs.org/resource-center/

Pastoral Prayer: Reign of Christ

Here’s a prayer of petition for the last Sunday before Advent, known as the “Reign of Christ” or “Christ the King” Sunday.  It was written by Roddy Hamilton.

Prayer for Proper 29

Create a throne room for yourself here, O Christ,
but let it be the empty seat beside the anxious
the lonely chair next to the confused
the vacant pew next to the hungry
and reign, O Jesus,
as sovereign over the forgotten

May your reign be a mockery to the world
but good news to those who seek out truth
and may we join them in the search
finding you walking the streets
or breaking bread
or sitting by bedsides

May we find you in border areas
on the edge of things
crossing over with the foreigner

May we find you among children
learning to finger paint
as teachers to those who long to enjoy life again

May we find you with the worried
silenced with nothing to say
and space enough to keep it

May we find you on the wrong side of the tracks
going where you should not
and finding a place to lay your head among the lost

May we find you singing our songs
of justice and peace
and removing your crown to do so

May we find you with a word that lives
in the hopes of the afraid
and a comforting peace for those who are broken

May we find you laughing at the powerful
unnerving what folk think so secure
while welcoming those who have nothing into your throne room

O Jesus, reigning in the world
with your upside down kingdom
may we find the faith to stand with you
sovereign of life
and servant of all

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

Oxymoron: A Prayer Reflection for Proper 29

Here’s a prayerful reflection for Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday (Proper 29).  It was written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Prayers 4 Today.

Oxymoron

King of kings 

Lord of lords 
Glory Hallelujah! 

    really? 

are these word just 
a neat, peppy praise song, 
fun to sing 
      but empty of meaning? 

no kings around here 
that i know of, 
      but a lot of politicians 
      who act as if folks 
            are agin' 'em 
   if you are not with them; 

no lords around here 
         except those who 
         think they can 
         lord it over everyone else, 
   but debt and worry and fear 
   control my life; 

glory seems to be 
      in short supply these days, 
   and hallelujahs 
      don't seem to mean much 
           to most folks; 

but you 

      you are a mystery solved 
      in the impossibilities 
               of life; 
      an enigma wrapped 
               in wonder; 
      a majesty born 
               in humility; 
      a life blossoming 
               out of death. 

and you 

      you i could follow 
   forever. 

~ written by Thom M. Shuman, copyright  © 2013 Thom M. Shuman.  Posted on Prayers 4 Today. http://prayersfortoday.blogspot.ca/  

Litany: Welcoming the Stranger

Here’s a prayer litany inspired by Deuteronomy 10:19: “You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”  It was adapted from Interfaith Worker Justice’s Immigration Litany.

Welcoming the Stranger

(inspired by Deuteronomy 10:19)

God, help us welcome those who have come to dwell among us.

For all those who have come fleeing oppression and persecution —

black, white, brown and yellow:

God, help us welcome those who have come to dwell among us.

For those who have come fleeing hardship and hunger:

God, help us welcome those who have come to dwell among us.

For those who have come to join loved ones already here:

God, help us welcome those who have come to dwell among us.

For those who have come seeking freedom and opportunity:

God, help us welcome those who have come to dwell among us.

Let us remember the words of Christ, who said

“I was hungry and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

When, Lord, were you a stranger that we welcomed among us?

“Truly, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me”

When we welcomed the stranger,

we welcomed you, Christ Jesus, in our midst!

Loving God, you call us to create hospitable communities.

Help us to overcome any fear and anxiety we may have of those

who come from other lands to live among us.

Give us the courage and wisdom

to create compassionate and just immigration policies.

Grant that we may all live together in peace and love. Amen.

~ Adapted from Interfaith Worker Justice, “Immigration Litany,” www.iwj.org/pdf/imm-litany.pdf)  Posted on Acts of Faith.  http://actsoffaith.org/resources/downloads/Year_A/09%20Immigration_final.pdf.

Prayer: Open My Life

Heavenly Father,

Open my eyes 

to see as you see and weep as you weep

Open my heart 

to love the broken and care for those without hope

Open my hands 

to hold what I have lightly and to share cheerfully

Open my mouth 

to speak for the voiceless and to shout for mercy

Open my ears 

to the gentle whispers of your Spirit and to obey what you say

Open up my life 

to the call of your voice and the needy cries of the dying

Amen

~ written by Fred Drummond.  Posted on the Tear Fund website. http://www.tearfund.org/

Prayer: In Your Name

Here’s a prayer of commitment from Roddy Hamilton’s Listening to the Stones blog.

In Your Name

May we honour your name
not by paying it lip service, Lord Jesus
but by trusting the vision it speaks of

and the way it calls for

May we honour it by following you

speaking into the word with our actions
and showing who we’re chosen to follow

May we love in your name
speak in your name
care in your name
that willingness to touch the outcast
feed the hungry
remember the sick
visit the imprisoned
clothe the naked
give water to the thirsty
in your name

~ excerpted from a longer piece by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Listening to the Stones. http://newkilpatrickblog.typepad.com/nk-blogging/mucky-paws/  Used by permission.

Scripture Collage: The Lordship of Christ

Here’s a three-voice reading on the Lordship of Christ I put together for a service a few weeks ago.  It draws from the following scripture texts:  1 Corinthians 1:2-3, Colossians 1:15-17, 19-20; Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Corinthians 8:5-7; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 7:21; Ephesians 4:1; Romans 14:7-9; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24.

The Lordship of Christ

1:         To the church of God,

            to all those whom Christ Jesus has made holy,

            who are called to be God’s men and women,

            to all true believers in Jesus Christ—their Lord and our Lord—

            grace and peace to you

            from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!

2:         Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

            He existed before anything was created

            and is supreme over all creation,

            for through him God created everything in heaven and on earth.

3:         He existed before anything else,

            and he holds all creation together.

1:         God in all his fullness

            was pleased to live in Christ,

            and through him, God reconciled everything to himself,

            making peace…by means of his blood on the cross.

3:         Though he was God,

            he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

            Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

            he took the humble position of a slave

            and was born as a human being.

2:         When he appeared in human form,

            he humbled himself in obedience to God

            and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

1:         Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

            and gave him the name above all other names,

            that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

            in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

            and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

            to the glory of God the Father.

2:         We know that there is only one God, the Father,

            who created everything,

            and we live for him.

3:         And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ,

            through whom God made everything

            and through whom we have been given life.

1:         This is the message we preach:

            If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord

            and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

            you will be saved.

3:         For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God,

2:         and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

1:         Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’

            will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

            Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

2:         I beg you,

            lead a life worthy of your calling,

            for you have been called by God.

3:         We don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.

            If we live, it is to honor the Lord.

            And if we die, it is to honor the Lord.

1:         So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

            Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—

            to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

2:         So, brothers and sisters,

            be strong and immovable.

            Stand firm.

3:         Always work enthusiastically for the Lord,

            for you know that nothing you do for him is ever lost or wasted.

1:         May the God of peace make you holy in every way;

3:         may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless

            until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2:         He who calls you is utterly faithful,

1:         and he will finish what he has set out to do.