Sunday Prayer: Transfiguration

Here’s a prayer for Transfiguration Sunday.  It was written by rev karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Transfiguration Prayer

Holy One,

We come before you,

many of us feeling like we have climbed just a part of the mountain,

and there is so much more of a climb left to even get to point

to dream that we might be dazzled by what is Divine.

Our loads are heavy,

with worry, with regret,

with fatigue, with illness,

with despair for all in the world

that is hurting, in danger, in bondage and more.

We trudge ahead, following you,

stumbling, hoping, praying...

breathing hard, hearts pounding, and yes,

even some of us are nimble and skipping.

Lead us Lord,

to the top of that mountain,

where we might be dazzled by your Light,

lifted by what is Divine,

filled by the sheer delight

of what is numinous and ethereal and grounded and real.

We pray this,

for ourselves, for one another,

and for the worlds in which we live in.

Amen.

~ written by rev karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/

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/

Prayer of Confession: Transfiguration

Here is a prayer of confession and words of assurance for Transfiguration Sunday. It was written by the Rev. Dr. Renee C. Jackson, and posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website.

Prayer of Confession

God of Mercy and Grace,

you come to us in Jesus of Nazareth

to break down the dividing walls of hostility between us:

Yet we maintain walls that separate and isolate.

You give us the ministry of reconciliation:

Yet we nurse our wounds and withhold mercy and forgiveness.

You invite us to join with Peter, James, and John

on the mountain of Transfiguration:

Yet we deny the wonders you have worked in our own lives.

You ask us to acknowledge and share our wealth:

Yet we refuse to recognize and relieve the poverty around us.

You bless our lives with boundless love:

Yet we fail to witness to that love,

and so keep others from knowing you.

Forgive our selfishness, we pray.

Transform us by your Spirit and your Word

into that which pleases you,

the image of Christ.   Amen.

Words of Assurance

Jesus admonished Peter, James, and John

not to tell of what they witnessed on the mountain

until he was resurrected.

But we can tell what we have seen and heard of God’s glory!

Here is the good news:

Jesus lives! He is raised! We are forgiven!

Go, share the vision!

Tell of God’s love! In this God is well pleased!

~ 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

Prayer for Transfiguration: Glory

Here’s a prayer for Transfiguration from Christine Jerrett’s blog (see below for link).

Prayer: Glory

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

We worship you, O God, with songs of praise.

We worship you with words of prayer

and with ears that listen for you to speak

   your saving truth into our lives.

We worship you in the silent spaces

   where we struggle for hope and for courage.

We long for a glimpse of your glory:

   the glory that shines in the darkness

         and the darkness cannot overcome it;

   the glory that touches lives with a beauty so holy

         that it heals the wounded soul;

   the glory that gives strength to the weary.

We, who stumble and fall so often,

worship you,

longing for your light to shine upon us.

Dazzle us with your holy love,

draw us into your purifying presence,

speak to us your transforming truth.

Then, grant us grace

   to live every moment

  changed by such glory—

daring to live with hope and courage and love

reflecting the life of Jesus,

through whom your glory shines

in the most unexpected ways.  Amen.

~ written by Christine Jerrett, and posted on Christine Jerrett: Reflections on being the Church in God’s new creation. http://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/tag/prayer/

Transfiguration Prayer

Lord Jesus,

lead me to that mountain place

of stronger light and sure sound

where I may see your glory.

Light and truth, bright as blinding snow,

whom Peter, James, and John saw,

“Bring me to your holy mountain,

to your dwelling place.” Amen.

~ written by Victor Hoagland, and posted on Victor’s Place. http://vhoagland.wordpress.com/

Confession: Transfiguration

Here’s a prayer of confession for Transfiguration Sunday from Rev. Madison Shockley.  It was posted on the United Church of Christ website.

Confession for Transfiguration

(inspired by Mark 9: 2-9)

Forgive us, God, when we linger too long by the waters,

and on the mountain tops,

enthralled with the glory that flows from you.

When we fail to listen to your voice, leading and guiding us,

shake us from our contentment

and send us forward endowed with your power.   Amen.

~ written by Rev. Madison Shockley, in Witness to Wonders: Service Prayers for Transfiguration Sunday.  Posted on the United Church of Christ website. http://www.ucc.org/worship_worship-ways_witness-to-wonders-service

Confession: Serving Two Masters

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by the teachings of Jesus.  It was written by Chip Hardwick.

Prayer of Confession

Lord Jesus Christ,

We call you Lord,

Yet it is too easy for us to worship other things.

Other activities, other relationships, other gods.

You tell us we cannot serve two masters,

Yet we spend more time focusing our energies elsewhere,

Diverting our time, our energy, our money, our attention away from you.

Forgive us, gracious Savior,

When our hearts are led astray

When we serve other gods and worship them.

We turn away from our distractions and sin.

Strengthen us to set our faces toward Jerusalem,

To take up our cross and follow you.

We pray this, counting on your grace.  Amen.

~ written by Chip Hardwick, on Thinking, Praying, Living. http://www.pcusa.org/blogs/faith/2012/3/30/prayer-confession-march-madness/

Confession: 2 Kings 2, Psalm 51

Here’s a prayer of confession inspired by 2 Kings 2:1-15, and words of assurance inspired by Psalm 51. It was written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.

Prayer of Confession/Words of Assurance

(inspired by 2 Kings 2, Psalm 51)

God of the blazing chariots, the whirling wind, the sacred silence,
Listen softly to the confessions of our hearts.

[silence]

Create clean hearts in us.
Renew right spirits within us.
Shelter us within your presence.
Sustain us by your Holy Spirit.
Restore to us the joy of our salvation.

Blazing, whirling, sacred God,
inhabit and transform our stories. Amen.

~ written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

A Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday

Here’s a prayer for Transfiguration Sunday from Christine Jerrett. It was posted on her blog (see below for link).

Prayer:

You Come to Us in the Broken Places

God of glory,

you took your friends with you

when you went to pray on the mountain.

You revealed to them

the glory of Jesus,

your beloved Son,

on his way to the cross.

We do not live on mountaintops,

but we, too, would glimpse your glory

in the ordinary days of our lives,

and in the community of your Son

in which you have chosen to dwell.

We look for you among people who have

no power

no rights

no voice.

We look for you among those who

live on the streets of our city,

whose housing is inadequate,

whose homes are not safe.

We look for you among those who

grieve a past that is no more

and fear a future that seems full of loss.

God who meets us

in the broken places,

shine the light of Christ deep into our lives,

so we may carry that light into dark places

and point to the One

whose brokenness is our salvation.

~ posted on Christine Jerrett. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/

Transfiguration Prayer

Here’s an opening prayer of longing and worship from Janet Morley and the Weekly Worship page of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)

‘they saw his glory…’

Luke 9:32

O God, 
whose beauty is beyond our imagining, 
and whose power we cannot comprehend: 
show us your glory 
as far as we can grasp it, 
and shield us 
from knowing more than we can bear 
until we may look upon you without fear, 
through Jesus Christ, Amen.

~ written by Janet Morley and originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship

Opening Prayer: In This Place

Here’s an opening prayer from Rev. Gord’s Worship Offerings blog.

Opening Prayer

God, you bring us together in this place,

we come to be fed,

to be renewed,

to seek understanding.

God, you challenge us in this place,

we embrace the challenge,

trusting that through challenge we grow in faith.

God, you are revealed in this place,

sometimes in shining glory,

sometimes in tears and struggle.

God as we worship in this place,

refresh, renew, and challenge us

so that we would see your awesomeness.

We pray in Jesus' name,

as we strive to walk the path of discipleship. Amen

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

Prayer: Defying Expectation

We are sinners…

            we are not only sinners
We are weak…

            we are not only weak
We fail…

            we are not always failures
We have destroyed…

            also we have loved

You, God, do not limit us

to the stories by which the world knows us

You see much more in us

than the labels we give ourselves

Give us courage to defy all expectations –

especially our own –

and in your love

become all of who we are.

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

Call to Worship: Transfiguration

Here’s a thoughtful call to worship for Transfiguration Sunday. It was written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith (see link below).

Transfiguration Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9,

Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

The mountain top

the shining face

the glowing clothes

the voice of God speaking from the cloud

the commandments etched in stone

Sometimes God shows up

in ways we cannot deny

in a place we can go

a light we can see

a voice we can hear

a stone we can touch

Sometimes

Sometimes

there is the veil

the overshadowing, terrifying cloud

the questions

the appearing and disappearing

the excitement

the wondering

the silence

Sometimes God shows up

in ways we cannot deny.

Always God shows up

somehow.

So we have shown up

here, now

May God give us eyes to see.

~  written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/

Benediction for Transfiguration

In the coming week,

may you experience the presence of God with joy.

May the holy cloud comfort you.

May the divine voice encourage you.

May the power of the Spirit transform you,

transform us,

transform our world. Amen.

~  written by Joanna Harader and posted on Spacious Faith. https://spaciousfaith.com/ 

Transfiguration: Prayer for Grace

Here’s a prayer of confession and petition inspired by the events recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36 (the Transfiguration of Jesus). It was written by Rev. Gord and posted on his Worship Offerings blog.

Prayer for Grace

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36) 

God of grace,

sometimes discipleship is so difficult.

We see you standing in front of us and we look for glory.

Then you tell us to expect heartbreak and challenge.

We get a glimpse of your glory,

and we are confused, frightened, unsure what to do or say.

God of grace, made known in Jesus the Christ,

 in the challenge and in the glory

you call us to look toward you,

to listen to you.

Grant us the grace and wisdom to watch,

to listen,

to follow,

to learn,

and, in the end,

to possibly understand,

as we join you on The Way,

as we explore the glorious Kingdom. Amen.

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

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/

Call to Worship for Transfiguration

Here’s a responsive call to worship for Transfiguration Sunday from Rev. Rob Smith of the Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9,

Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:16-18)

Beyond our busyness,

Above the cold winter floor

there is a glory rising born of heaven

and reaching out to each one of us

a light that shines through the clouds

an invitation seeking all of who we are

that transfigures the world

that transforms darkness into hope

that brings life from a cross

where old life ends and new life is born

In glory Jesus meets us here

raising us from depths of valley to the height of the mountain

carrying the weight of our humanity

to the heights of heavens glory.

Let us worship from the mountain and hear again

“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

~ written by Rev. Rob Smith, Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church, Apple Valley, MN

Transfiguration Blessing: Eyes to See

Here’s a blessing for Transfiguration Sunday from Roddy Hamilton.

Eyes to See Blessing

Not all is as it seems:
there is a glory hidden in everything
waiting to be revealed
to the eyes of those who believe
beyond what seems inevitable
who do not want to live in the status quo
but in the promises of God.

Hold onto the vision
as we turn towards lent
and walk the more difficult path;
there is yet a greater glory
still to be revealed.

Go in peace,
Go in hope,
Go in love.

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

Benediction: Sent by Jesus

Here is a closing commission and brief benediction. It was written by Rev. Gord, and posted on Worship Offerings.

Sending Words

Jesus stands and asks:

“Who do you say I am?”

We join millions who have gone before

and say: “the Messiah”

Jesus stands in front of us

and tells us the realities of discipleship

We join millions who have gone before

in the challenges of living as disciples.

Jesus stands before us

and offers food and drink for the journey.

Fed and nourished,

we go out into the world to live and serve.

Jesus stands before us, shining in glory,

and will be with us to the end of the age.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/    

Call to Worship: Psalm 99

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 99.  It was written by Joan Stott.

 

Call to Worship

(based on Psalm 99)

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord our God and King!
Glorious and powerful is the God of all creation!
In reverent awe, we gather to worship our God.

The Lord our God is King and the Just Judge
of all things for all eternity, all people and all places.
In reverent awe, we gather to praise our God.

The Lord our God is King and the Forgiving God!
‘Fairness’ and ‘Justice’ are the names of our God.
In reverent awe, we gather to worship God, within
the light of God’s holiness, justice, mercy and love. Amen.

~ written by Joan Stott, on the Geelong City Parish UCA website.  http://www.wesleychurchgeelong.net/w_resources/pentecost18%5b29%5da_2011.htm  If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows: © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.