Prayer Reflection: Romans 4: 18

Here’s a prayer reflection inspired by Romans 4:18, where Paul writes that, “Hoping against hope…”  Abraham continued to believe the promise of God.

Rough Translations

(inspired by Romans 4:18)

Hope nonetheless.

Hope despite.

Hope regardless.

Hope still.

Hope where we had ceased to hope.

Hope amid what threatens hope.

Hope with those who feed our hope.

Hope beyond what we had hoped.

Hope that draws us past our limits.

Hope that defies expectations.

Hope that questions what we have known.

Hope that makes a way where there is none.

Hope that takes us past our fear.

Hope that calls us into life.

Hope that holds us beyond death.

Hope that blesses those to come.

~ written by Jan L. Richardson, and posted on The Painted Prayerbook. http://paintedprayerbook.com/

Prayer: Children of Abram

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession from John van de Laar at Sacredise.com.

Prayer

(inspired by events in Genesis 12-18)

Long before the change of name,

before the first signs of new life

showed the beginnings of promises fulfilled,

You asked Abram to make his home among foreigners,

and share the blessing that was to come.

And now, O God, you ask the same faith of us:

The faith to count ourselves among the least,

to find our place alongside the poor and broken;

The faith to trust in your mercy and your promises,

and to share what we have received;

The faith to wait expectantly for your reign of justice and equity,

together with those who most need its gifts.

Teach us to be children of Abram, sharers of the blessings we enjoy:

The blessing of plenty shared with those who have need,

The blessing of healing shared with those who are sick and wounded,

The blessing of joy shared with those who celebrate

and of tears shared with those who grieve,

The blessing of friendship shared with those who are excluded,

and of solidarity with those who fight injustice,

The blessing of peace shared with those in conflict,

and of confrontation shared with those who bring harm;

And in some small way, may our faith and our sharing,

help to bring your promises into being

in our world.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar and posted on Sacredise. http://sacredise.com/prayers/type/intercession/children-of-abram/

A Prayer for Immigrants and Refugees

The unfolding events in Europe and the Mediterranean have brought the plight of refugees and immigrants before us in new ways in recent days.  Here’s a prayer for those who find themselves fleeing their homelands. It originally appeared on the Justice for Immigrants website.

Prayer for Immigrants

Our God, you have given us in your word

the stories of persons who needed to leave their homelands—

Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, Moses.

Help us to remember

that when we speak of immigrants and refugees,

we speak of Christ.

In the One who had no place to lay his head,

and in the least of his brothers and sisters,

you come to us again, a stranger seeking refuge.

We confess that we often turn away.

You have chosen that the life of Jesus be filled

with events of unplanned travel and flight from enemies.

You have shown us through the modeling of Jesus

how we are called to relate to persons from different nations and cultures.

You have called us to be teachers of your word.

We ask you, our God, to open our minds and hearts

to the challenge and invitation

to model your perfect example of love.

Amen.

~ adapted from Justice for Immigrants, “Prayer and Liturgy Suggestions,” originally posted on the Justice for Immigrants website. https://justiceforimmigrants.org/ 
Available now on the NC Council of Churches website.  
https://www.ncchurches.org/lectionary/httpwww-ncchurches-orgp19454/

Opening Prayer: In You Alone

Here’s an opening prayer from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Opening Prayer

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Father, Creator and Sustainer,

who gives all good things

seen and unseen.

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Son, Saviour and Redeemer,

who died for our sins

and rose again.

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Spirit, Teacher and Comforter,

who moves us to sing

“Our God reigns!”

In you alone we put our hope.

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

Confession: Singing Our Own Songs

Here’s a confession based based on a musical metaphor. It was written by Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood.

Prayer of Confession

This is a moment given by God to confess our sins

against each other, all that God has created, and God. 

Let us take this moment to account

for the ways in which we have not embodied

what it means to be created in the image of God.

Holy God, we confess that too often we have not been open

to the rhythms of life you offer to us.

We let ourselves be put off your pace

and allow ourselves to wander off into our own songs.

Too often the melodies of the world confuse us. 

We have led ourselves and others to paths

that are not according to your loving pace and direction. 

Help us pay attention with all of our senses. 

Make our dancing faithful;

help us take the risks that are part of letting you lead. 

Pull us back into your rhythms.

Clean our hearts, purify our hands and steady our feet

that we might know and share your blessings. 

The God of Hosts assures us that if we trust God’s Word,

we will be led back to the songs that God would have us sing. 

God is eager to show us the path home. 

Accept the offer of the new song we have been given through Jesus the Christ. 

~ written by the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Wood. From God Inspired Joy: Service Prayers for Pentecost Seven. Posted on the United Church of Christ Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/

Psalm Paraphrase: Psalm 50: 1-8

Here’s a paraphrase of Psalm 50: 1-8, written by Bruce Prewer.

Psalm Paraphrase

(Psalm 50: 1-8)

The Voice which speaks and confronts the whole world

is that of the Holy One, the God of gods.

From the time the sun rises until after it sets,

the dazzling beauty of God shines out.

When God comes, it is not always in silence;

it may be like a consuming fire or fierce storm.

God’s call is heard among the distant stars,

and on earth we are summoned to give account.

God gathers together the true believers,

those who keep faith at much cost.

The whole universe shall announce justice,

for God who has the final word says:

“I will speak against you, my people.

I your God will be a prosecution witness.

It is not what you do at church that’s wrong,

your worship is a good attempt.

It is what you do outside that upsets me,

how you exploit the land and its creatures.

For every animal in the bush is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains

and everything that moves on the plains.

Get this, you who would limit me to pious thoughts:

I could put you through the shredder!

Let all you do each day be a thanksgiving;

get things right and you will see my salvation!”

~ Copyright ©  B.D. Prewer 2000 & 2012. Posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Contemporary Songs: Psalm 33

If you’re looking for contemporary Praise & Worship song suggestions to use with Psalm 33 (the suggested psalm for  Proper 5A and Proper 14C), 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 33: http://contemporarypsalms.blogspot.ca/2013/05/psalm-33.html

Call to Worship Litany: Psalm 33

Here’s a call to worship based on Psalm 33, the suggested psalm reading for Proper 5A or Proper 14C.  It would also be appropriate for times of national celebration like Canada Day (July 1), or Independence Day (July 4).

Call to Worship Litany

(based on Psalm 33)

Sing joyfully to the LORD,

Praise the LORD with music.
Sing to him a new song,
sing with skill and joy!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
blessed is the people God chose for an inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all humanity;
from the Lord’s dwelling place

God watches all who live on earth.
No nation is saved by the size of an army;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear God,
on those whose hope is in God’s unfailing love.
In God our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in the holy name of our Lord.
May God’s unfailing love rest upon us,

for we put our hope in you.

— posted on the Worship Leader’s Guidebook blog. 

For more resources suitable for national celebrations, click on National Prayers in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.