Prayer: Abundant Life

“For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son….” John 3:16

God, you loved this world so much

that you sent your own son, Jesus Christ

to live and die among us,

in order that we might have life.

Forgive us for keeping that abundant life to ourselves,

for jealously hoarding your generous gifts,

for choosing self-interest over compassion and justice.

Teach us what it means to live as children of the light,

generously sharing your abundance

with our brothers and sisters in need.  Amen.

— Christine Longhurst, posted on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website. 

For more prayer resources on this blog, see the Scriptural Index of Prayers at the upper right side of the page.

Prayer of Commitment: Matthew 22: 15-22

Here’s a prayer of commitment based on Matthew 22:15-22, one of the suggested readings for October 16, 2011 (Proper 24A, Ordinary 29A).

Prayer of Commitment

(based on Matthew 22:15-22)

Let us pray that the Lord may guide our world.

(pause)

Lord, mighty God,
you lead the world and all humanity to their destiny in you.

Give to the leaders of the world and of our country
a vision of the future that is both imaginative and realistic,
and respectful of human rights and dignity.

Help us to bear witness in everyday life
to the values of the gospel
and to be involved in the work
of freedom, integrity and justice.

May we thus build up a community
that foreshadows our heavenly homeland.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

— from Liturgies Alive: Models of Celebrations website.

Prayer: 1 Corinthians 3

Here’s a prayer of commitment from Christine Jerrett, written after reading 1 Corinthians 3. It was posted on her blog, Christine Jerrett.

A prayer after pondering 1 Corinthians 3

Truth-telling Saviour,

You gather your people into one Body;

gathering us beyond the divisions we create

by our fears that it is all up to us

to make our lives count;

divisions we create in our anxiety

to make the future turn out right.

Crucified and risen Saviour,

You are among us,

offering us your truth that sets us free;

and your grace that shapes a good future for all;

and your love that fills our lives and lifts us up.

These gifts draw us ever deeper into

your creative presence;

these gifts that form us into a people

who carry your life-giving future in our world.

Open our eyes to their liberating truth.

Open our hearts to receive them.

By your Holy Spirit,

form in us a passion for your purposes —

a passion that overcomes our self-centredness;

a passion that makes us large in generosity.

Then, grant us your Spirit of wisdom,

that we may see the work you are doing

and may join in with glad and grateful hearts

and be the blessing you have summoned us to be.

We ask in the name of Jesus

whose death and resurrection

has made us people of hope.

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

Prayer for Humility: Mark 10

Here’s a prayer of petition and commitment inspired by Mark 10:35-45.  It comes from Christian Aid’s Monthly Prayers web page.

 

Prayer for Humility

(inspired by Mark 10:35-45)

 

Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant. (Mark 10:43)

God with us,

When we privilege our own agendas,

hurt others in the effort to impose our will,

or chain ourselves to our fears,

tumble us off the throne of our pride,

and release us into finding our worth in your love.

Lord have mercy on us

Lord Jesus Christ,

you know us, you love us, you free us,

then call us to follow you

and we bless you.

Your mercy meets us in our confusion;

may your spirit meet us in our everyday living.

 

~ posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.  http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayer: Who Do You Say I Am?

Here is a challenge and prayer of intercession. It is inspired by Jesus’ question to his disciples in Matthew 16:13-20: “Who do you say I am?”

Prayer: Who Do You Say I Am?

(inspired by Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30)

Lord Jesus,

You are a Lord who walks beside your people.

So we pray for people who walk for justice.

You are a Lord who raises up those who are bent low.

So we pray for those held down by the grindings of life

and the indifference of the world.

You are a Lord who feeds the hungry

So we pray for all who long for bread

and the means to provide it.

You are a Lord who celebrates the small and the insignificant.

So we pray for the children

and for those who are never noticed.

You are a Lord who says ‘Follow me’.

So we pray for courage and faith in our hearts

that we may take up the cross and find it leads to life. 

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

Prayer: Psalm 146

Here’s a prayer inspired by Psalm 146.  It was written by Christine Jerrett.

Prayer

(based on Psalm 146)

There are days
when all that keep me praying
is the decision to trust you, O God.

To trust that You are still in charge
that You are watching over my way
that You care about truth
even when the liars seem so strong.

So, for today,
I choose to trust in your faithfulness
in your power to create new beginnings
where none seem possible
in your watchful care
over the oppressed
the stranger
the orphan

Unblind me
Open my eyes to see You
lifting up those who are bowed down
upholding orphans and widows
bringing the way of the wicked to ruin.

Let me see Your reign

Then, summon me to join the praise of Your people
echoing through the generations

Praise the LORD!

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

Prayer of Commitment: Stepping Out in Faith

Here’s a prayer of commitment or closing prayer based on two of the scripture texts for Proper 9 B (Ordinary 14 B).

Prayer of Commitment

(based on 2 Samuel 5, Mark 6: 7-13)

God,

just as You called King David so long ago,

so You call each one of us

to speak and act on Your behalf in our world today.

Forgive us when we are hesitant to follow:

when we question Your call

or make excuses for our abilities;

when we complain about our lack of time

or hoard our resources.

Give us courage to step out in faith,

to go where you send us without hesitation or fear,

trusting that Your presence goes with us,

and that You will provide all that we need.

Amen.

Prayer: Waiting and Watching

Here’s a prayer by John van de Laar inspired by the scripture texts for Proper 27A.

Waiting and Watching

You call me to wait on You, Lord,

but I get tired of waiting.

Your answers to my prayers,

Your call for me to serve You,

the promise of Your coming Kingdom,

they all seem to take so long.

You tell me to watch for Your coming, Lord,

but I’m not sure how to prepare for…

a thief in the night,

an undisclosed time,

and Your disconcerting habit of secrecy and mystery.

Yet, something inside whispers

that You’re not all that hard to find;

That You’re always coming to me,

and that both the waiting and the watching,

are more about being open to You now,

than about trying not to be surprised in the future.

And so I will keep waiting,

and I’ll try to stay alert,

so that I can catch the glimpses of Your glory

that fill my day, every day. Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar, and posted on his excellent website, Sacredise.com. 

Another Way: A Prayer of Dedication

Here’s a prayer written by John van de Laar, suitable for use in any service that explores the call of Jesus to live lives of humility and service. 

Another Way

Teach us the courage, O God,

to turn from what seems so natural, so safe:

the way of grasping power,

and befriending the powerful,

in the hope of protection and security.

Teach us the humility, O God,

to turn from what is so enticing, so persuasive:

the way of accumulating things,

and trusting in wealth,

in the hope of comfort and life

Lead us, O God, in another way,

the way of true security, true wealth,

the way of Christ, the servant,

the way of weakness and simplicity.

Lead us, O God, in another way,

the way of caring for the neglected,

feeding the hungry,

housing the homeless,

protecting the threatened,

and challenging the powerful,

the foolish way of the Gospel,

that brings salvation to all. Amen.

~ Written by John van de Laar, and posted on his excellent website, Sacredise.com.  Visit his site for other good lectionary-based prayers and worship resources.

A Prayer for the New Year

Here’s a prayer of petition for the New Year.

New Year’s Prayer

May we hold lovingly in our thoughts

those who suffer from tyranny, subjection, cruelty, and injustice,

and work every day towards the alleviation of their suffering.

May we recognize our solidarity

with the stranger, outcast, downtrodden, abused, and deprived,

that no human being be treated as "other,"

that our common humanity weaves us together

in one fabric of mutuality, / one garment of destiny.

May we pursue the Biblical prophet's vision of peace,

that we might live harmoniously with each other

and side by side,

respecting differences,

cherishing diversity,

with no one exploiting the weak,

each living without fear of the other,

each revering Divinity in every human soul.

May we struggle against institutional injustice,

free those from oppression and contempt,

act with purity of heart and mind,

despising none, defrauding none, hating none,

cherishing all, honoring every child of God,

every creature of the earth.

May [we] and all peoples know peace in this New Year,

And may we nurture kindness and love everywhere. Amen.

~ from the ReformJudaism.org website. http://www.reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/prayer-jewish-new-year (Edited slightly)

New Year's Eve Prayer

Here’s a prayer of dedication as the year turns. It was written by Roddy Hamilton and posted on Mucky Paws.

Prayer at the turn of a New Year

On this edge of years
the crossroads between past and future
we come as who we have been
and offer you who we might yet be

Take this offering of ourselves
a new promise to be your people here
holding a renewed vision of your reign here

Take this
take us
that we might be light
and follow you anew
as we journey across borders of time
and find new years 
new places
to be your renewed people. Amen.

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

Pastoral Prayer for Ascension

Here’s a prayer of intercession/commitment for Ascension Day or Ascension Sunday.  It was written by rev karla and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Prayer of Intercession on Ascension

(inspired by the events in Acts 1:6-11)

Holy One,

We gaze towards misty heavens

knowing you were just with us,

and now you are gone.

We watch the skies for just a glimpse of your dazzling grace,

and you send us angels,

to bring our hearts and minds and soul

back into our lives, our bodies, this very present moment,

where your presence is more difficult to see

in the midst of war, of random killing sprees,

still-missing Nigerian school girls,

bloody revolutions,

and random thoughtless cruelty.

Your angels come to us through the ordinary moments,

reminding us to pray in spite of and because of…

Your angels remind us that You indeed will empower us

to be your light and life and hope in this world,

to the ends of the earth,

wherever courage and grace is needed.

We are your people, God,

and as much as we love sky-gazing,

we know that you call us to give witness

in the middle of terror, anxiety, illness, death, and apathy.

Help us to listen deeply, see far and wide,

and live faithfully.

In Christ we pray,

Amen

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

Prayer: A Just Harvest

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving and commitment.  It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws.

Prayer

God of honey and harvest
of grain and grape
of ocean and orchard:
This harvest time
may we both praise and pray;
praise you for the abundance
and pray that this harvest is not just shared
but shared justly

God of beehives and breadbaskets
of living webs and the weaving of life
of ecosystems and economy:
This harvest time
may we both praise and pray
praise you for the wealth of the harvest
and pray that this harvest is not just a promise
but is full of promise for all

God of bumble bees and blue whales
evolution and environment
ice-field and star-field:
This harvest time
may we both praise and pray
praise you for the sheer wonder of the world
and pray that this harvest is not about our wealth
but the wealth of our generosity.

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

Offering Prayer: A True Act of Faith

Loving God,

we come to you in thanksgiving,

knowing that all we are and all we have

is a gift from you.

In faith and love, help us to do your will.

We are listening, Lord God.

Speak your words into the depths of our souls,

that we may hear you clearly.

We offer to you this day all the facets of our lives,

whether it be at home, at work, or at school –

to be patient, to be merciful, to be generous, to be holy.

Give us the wisdom and insight

to understand your will for us

and the fervor to carry out our good intentions.

We offer our gifts of time, talent and possessions to you

as a true act of faith,

to reflect our love for you and our neighbor.

Help us to reach out to others

as you our God have reached out to us.
Amen.

~ posted on the Generous Giving website. www.generousgiving.org