Offering Prayer: Matthew 14:13-21

This offering prayer was inspired by Matthew 14:13-21, the account of how Jesus uses five small loaves and two fish to feed a vast crowd of hungry people.  

Offering Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 14:13-21)

Merciful God,

the gifts we bring are so small in comparison to the vast needs in our world—

nowhere near enough to save the thousands dying of starvation all around the world,

or even to meet the needs of the hungry and homeless in our city.

Yet we have brought what we can.

As You once multiplied the five small loaves and two fish,

multiply these gifts as well,

so that, once again, the hungry may receive all they need, and more.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayer: Enough for All

Here’s a prayer for the offering inspired by the story of the loaves and fishes in Matthew 14:15-21 (or Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-15). It comes from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand website.

Offering Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 14:15-21)

On my own
what I have to give
doesn't amount to much
in the light of all you have given to me
and in the face of so much need.

Put together as a congregation,
what we offer you here in love
becomes more,
not simply added together,
but somehow multiplied in its usefulness.

We ask you to bless our gifts
and with the addition of your blessing,
just as it was with the loaves and fishes,
there is enough for all.

Amen

~ from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Pastoral Prayer: Loving Shepherd

Here’s a pastoral prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday, or any other time when passages like Psalm 23 and John 10 are being used. It was written by Rev. Karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10)

Loving Shepherd,

You lead and guide,

You walk alongside,

You prepare, you feed, you call,

all of your sheep,

even those of us who are lost,

those of us who stray constantly,

those of us who stay close to your comforting staff.

We are grateful for the lush green pastures of our lives,

and we pause now to offer our thanksgivings

for the goodnesses in our lives…

There are so many who walk in the shadows

of fear and suffering and despair,

and we pause now, to offer our prayers

for the broken and bleeding places in this world…

We also offer our prayers for the sheep of our own flocks,

in our families and friends,

in this our church and our community…(pause)

O Loving Shepherd,

We have all we need,

as we live in You.

Amen.

~ written by Rev Karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Call to Worship: Psalm 23

Here’s a call to worship litany inspired by Psalm 23. It was written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Psalm 23)

In the darkest valley,
at the banquet table;
in the hard work of life,
at the moments of ease;
in our day-to-day reality,
at times set aside–
like this time, now–
for worship, for listening, for paying attention;
with every step we take:
goodness and mercy follow us;
our cups overflow.

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

Call to Worship: Isaiah 43: 2

Here’s a call to worship inspired by Isaiah 43:2. It was written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution blog.

Call to Worship

(Inspired by Isaiah 43:2)

When we pass through the waters,

God is there with us.

When we suffer and feel hopeless,

God is there with us.

When we are joyful and celebratory,

God is there with us.

Whether we feel triumphant or defeated,

God is there with us, always.

Come, let us worship together with Emmanuel,

God with us. 

~ written by Rev. Mindi, and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/2011/10/23/worship-resources-for-october-30-2011-and-all-saints-day/

Prayer Reflection: Through Light and Shadow

Here’s a thoughtful prayer reflection from Sally’s Eternal Echoes website.

Through Light and Shadow

through light and shadow

I am led, I follow,

through the ins and outs

the ups and downs 

of these days,

when my heart is failing,

when my spirit rejoices,

when I can barely put one foot 

in front of the other

still you beckon me on...

when I stumble you support me,

when I can go no further 

you carry me,

through light and shadow,

in death's dark vale,

and on the mountain peaks

you lead me,

through tangled webs,

on rocky ground,

on smoother paths,

through light and shadow

you lead me,

I follow,

may I never

walk alone...

~ written by Sally, and posted on Eternal Echoes. http://sallysjourney.typepad.com/sallys_journey/

Father's Day Prayer

Here is a prayer of thanksgiving for Father’s Day. It was written by Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer of Martinsville, Virginia.

Prayer for Father’s Day

 We give thanks today…

For fathers who showed up, played and danced,

ran and twirled, taught and learned;

 

For fathers who kissed boo-boos

and held us in strong arms when we were weak;

 

For fathers who believed in us and trusted us with our own futures,

even as they taught us how best to live;

 

For fathers who exhibited the very best of what it means to be men,

and tossed aside toxic masculinity

in favor of a strength in love and empathy;

 

For fathers who had high standards,

yet deep compassion;

 

For fathers who taught us rules to live by,

and with integrity lived by these rules themselves;

 

For fathers who protected us

and sought after our welfare;

 

For fathers who were never related to us by blood or by law

but stood in as a father figure;

 

For fathers who were not always present

but by grace came back into our lives.

~ Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Martinsville, VA www.fbcmartinsville.com