Prayers
9/11 Prayers
Call to worship:
Today we gather to remember.
We lift up our memories, our grief, our fear, and our experiences.
We remember those who were lost through senseless acts of violence.
We lift up those who were selfless in their actions, caring for others above themselves.
Today we lift up all we are to God, who brings restoration to those who seek healing.
Heal us, God. Restore us. Keep us. Abide in us.
Morning Prayer:
Healing God, give us peace where there has been sorrow, fear, and uncertainty. Forgive us when we return hurt for hurt, and when we fail to be witnesses of mercy, peace, and love to the world around us. Forgive us for the loss of life in the name of revenge and justice on our behalf. Receive our prayers for the affected as we lift their names and remember their lives. Lead us into a new season, marked with transformation of heart, and life. Reshape and mold us into your image. Amen.
Lenten Prayers
“The Inward Journey”
1st Sunday of Lent - “Facing the wilderness” - Matthew 4:1-11
Call to Worship
After he was baptized by John, Jesus went by himself to the wilderness where he was tempted.
Forty days in the desert, Jesus was tempted to become relevant, spectacular, and powerful.
Today, we begin to journey with Jesus through the season of Lent, which brings us to face some of our own weaknesses and temptations.
Let us worship God and walk the journey together, seeking the spirit as our guide and companion along the way.
Morning Prayer
God, you know our hearts. You have knitted our inmost being and you know our deepest desires, fears and worries. Help us to journey during this Lenten season into a new awareness of your presence in our lives. Save us from our own temptations, so that we may more freely follow you.
Amen
2nd Sunday of Lent - “Finding new birth” John 3:1-17
Call to Worship
Look and see, God creates all things new.
Yesterday has come and gone, and today we yearn for new life.
Unless we let go of what has come and gone, we cannot truly experience the newness that God offers us.
We enter into this space ready to worship and receive this new life.
Morning Prayer
God of new beginnings, each morning you offer to us new moments, and new opportunities to experience your grace and love in our lives.
Forgive us from all that we do that keeps us from living into this new life.
For all the ways in which we neglect the needs of those around us, or bring harm knowingly and unknowingly to others, have mercy on us. Fashion in us a new heart that receives and offers love freely.
Amen
3rd Sunday of Lent - “Receive living drink” John 4:5-42
Call to Worship
Jesus said that if you drink water from a well, you will continually be thirsty.
We are thirsty, and we are hungry to know God and to see God.
Jesus gives to us living water, after which we will never hunger or thirst.
We are in need of living water, to quench the needs and desires of our hearts.
(All) Let us worship God, who is the source of life giving water.
Morning Prayer
Loving God, you offer to each of us living water that comes from a source that will never dry up. Forgive us in our hurried lives when we only seek to drink what will make us want for more. Help us to develop a taste for your compassion and grace which will nurture us. Create in us a new capacity to love, forgive, and serve you humbly.
Amen
4th Sunday of Lent- “Open your eyes” John 9:1-41
Call to Worship
Throughout his ministry, Jesus healed the sick.
We come to worship in need of healing.
Jesus gives new sight to the blind, and to us, a new heart.
Let us offer to God our woundedness and our worship, so that we may find healing in our lives.
Morning Prayer
Healing God, you offer to us each day opportunities for healing and reconciliation. Too often we are unwilling to abandon our own agendas and enter into your healing presence. Forgive us when we limit your healing power. Give us new sight to see your presence, and lead us into wholeness in Jesus Christ.
Amen
5th Sunday of Lent - “Facing death” John 11:1-45
Call to Worship
After Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus called for him to stand up and walk.
Those who have died cannot get up and walk again.
Jesus calls us into a new understanding of life and death.
We enter into this space seeking to know and worship God, who brings about life from death.
Morning Prayer
Gracious God, forgive us when we are proud, and our accomplishments leave little room to acknowledge your blessings in our lives. Teach us to embrace your timing, and to receive your presence. May we ever grow in our trust in you, our forgiveness for each other, and in our response to a hurting world. Help us to face the mystery of dying, and see the possibility of new life.
Amen
6th Sunday of Lent - Palm Sunday “The downward journey” Matthew 21:1-11
Call to Worship
Jesus entered into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, seeking to transform the people.
People gathered from everywhere to wave palm branches and praise him as royalty.
Jesus enters into our lives humbly, seeking to transform our hearts and lives.
Let us worship Jesus Christ together, and receive him into our presence.
(All) Hosanna in the highest!
Morning Prayer
God of mercy, enter into our hearts and help us to be humble, loving people. Forgive us when we allow our desire to be praised to distract us from caring for the least, the last and the lost of this world. Help us to journey downward, leaving behind selfish pride, and turning to you as the source of our affirmation and strength.
Amen
Easter Sunday - “Becoming Easter People” John 20:1-18
Call to Worship
Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed!
On this day, we celebrate that Jesus overcame death, so that we may have new life.
Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed!
(All) Let us worship the risen Christ in spirit and in truth.
Easter Prayer
God of grace, form us into your Easter people. Too often we hang on to our own fear and despair. Forgive us when we fail to love others as you love us. Help us to live into the mystery of resurrection and new life so that we may embody hope. Breathe into us your spirit, as we live out your good news in this world.
Amen
“New Normal” Prayers”
A New Vocation (1/23):
Call to Worship
Jesus called to his disciples and said “come, follow me.”
They left all that they had and followed him.
Jesus calls us from where we are, into a new vocation.
We are looking for purpose, direction, and meaning in our lives.
(All) Let us follow the one who calls us and lift our voices together in praise.
Morning Prayer (Unison)
Gracious God, you stand at the shoreline of our lives and ask us to follow. Give us the trust to let go of the things that hold us back, and free us to step forward in faith. Grant us courage to walk into the unknown, and grace to live out your good news in the world.
Amen.
A New Outlook (1/30):
Call to Worship
Jesus opens our eyes to see the blessedness in this world.
We want to see as Jesus sees, and to love as he loves.
Blessed are those who have been marginalized and cast aside.
Blessed are all of God’s children, the haves, the have-nots, the first and the last.
(All) Let us worship God together, embracing the fullness of God’s kingdom.
Morning Prayer (Unison)
God of peace, open our eyes to see the blessedness of all people in your world. Help us to walk with those who are in need, to mourn with those who weep, and to persevere with those who seek your justice. Teach us to love as you love, and to offer forgiveness, as you forgive us.
Amen.
A New Reference Model (2/6):
Call to Worship
Jesus said we are to be Salt and Light in the world.
Our world needs salt for flavor, and light to shine in dark places.
Jesus said we are to shine as a city on the hill for all to see.
Our world needs witnesses to the hope, love and grace offered to us through Jesus Christ.
(All) Let us join our hearts and voices in worship, bearing witness to the light of the world.
Morning Prayer (Unison)
Creator God, you have made each of us, and intimately know us in our strengths, and even our weaknesses. Forgive us when we fall short of who you have created us to be, and lift us up when we cannot stand on our own. Help us to be salt in this world. Shine through us as a light in dreary places. Help us to walk together, as people of light, unified in the love we receive from you, and in the love we share in the world.
Amen.
A New Kind of Justice (2/13):
Call to Worship
Jesus calls us to be people of reconciliation.
We stand in need of reconciling with God, and with each other.
Jesus calls us to be people of justice.
God’s justice requires mercy, not revenge, and peaceful living instead of violence.
(All) Let us offer our voices together in praise of the one who offers us love, mercy, and justice without condition.
Morning Prayer (Unison)
God of justice, you offer to each of us mercy and grace that is greater than our shortcomings. Create within us clean hearts and right spirits. Help us to reconcile with those who have hurt us, and to those whom we have caused hurt. Grant us courage to seek your justice by offering mercy and grace, and by giving voice to the voiceless.
Amen.
A New Kind of Love (2/20):
Call to Worship
Jesus calls us to Love as he loves.
It is easy to love those who love us in return.
As Jesus’ followers we are to love even those who seem unlovable.
We are in need of such a love, that has no pretense, and no expectation.
(All) Thanks be to God who loves us when our love fails. Let us worship the God of love together.
Morning Prayer (Unison)
God of love, we give you thanks for loving us at all times, even when we seem unlovable. Teach us to love without expectation, and to care for those who do not care for us in return. Grant us courage to bear witness to your love in a world that does not readily receive it. Use us in transforming this world through your everlasting love.
Amen.
New Priorities (2/27):
Call to Worship
Jesus calls us to let go of our worries and to trust God for all things.
There is much to worry about, and much uncertainty in our lives.
God cares for us more than any other thing in this world and promises to provide for us.
God has already given us more than we need.
(Amen.) Let us worship God, who loves us, cares for us, and watches over us each day.
Morning Prayer (Unison)
God of grace, you have provided for all of our needs, and yet we often worry. You have given us life, and love, and yet we often become overwhelmed with concern for the future. Grant us trust that you will give to us what we need the most. Help us let go of the burden of our many concerns and to rest in your care. May we learn to seek your priorities, value what is important to you, and to live as people of faith in this world.
Amen.