The Watchword for the Week:
God says, "I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak." Ezekiel 34:16
Call to Prayer: Ephesians 1:3-6
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
to be holy and blameless before him in love.
5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 95:1-7a
1 O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
6 O come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Knowing that Jesus Christ sits on the seat of judgment, let us humbly come before him confessing our sins.
Gracious God, it is our deepest desire in life to place you at the center of our lives and master of our every thought and action. But with a humble heart we confess that we often find ourselves living out our own short-sighted and selfish desires before we consider your will for us. We find ourselves doing things without considering their impact on our lives beyond the moment, much less how our actions might hurt others and disappoint you. Furthermore, in our congregations we often get distracted by trivial pursuits rather than building up the kingdom of God. For these thoughts and actions and for failing to surrender all of our lives to you, we are truly sorry and we humbly repent. We seek to turn our lives back to you as the author and perfector of our every moment of life. Hear our prayer, O Lord. AMEN.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Reading of the Daily Texts can be done here. As you read the text that were randomly chosen for today, what thoughts of thanksgiving come to mind.
After you have concluded with the prayer in the Daily Text continue further to lift up prayers of joy and concern as they are brought to your mind by the Holy Spirit. What you have concluded with these prayers, continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Master of all the universe, we praise your name because you have lovingly made each one of us. As we orient our lives to you may your intended purpose be made real here on earth, even as it is already done in heaven. Feed us today with those things that we truly need, and may we share our abundance with others. Forgive us when we get distracted, and may we forgive those who have done wrong to us just as you have pardoned us. In times of temptation may we keep our eyes on you, and keep us from all evil. Gracious God, this is your kingdom and we surrender ourselves to your glory, both now and forever more. AMEN.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving (Adapted from the Liturgy of Thanksgiving, MBW page 161-162)
For the creation itself and the nourishment we receive from its resources,
We give you thanks, Creator God.
For the seedtime and harvest, sunshine and rain, oceans and forests,
We give you thanks, Creator God.
For the wondrous way in which we are woven into the environment,
We give you thanks, Creator God.
For all the creative things we are enabled to do through the gifts and talents you have given us,
We give you thanks, Creator God.
For your presence with us in times of heath or illness, joy or sorrow,
We give you thanks, Creator God.
For the courage and healing that you provide when we are broken and discouraged in the midst of our earthly pilgrimage,
We acknowledge with thanks your leadership in our journey.
For the gift of time and the guidance you give, for the redemptive use of our days,
We are grateful, loving Savior.
For the satisfaction and renewal that come from our labor and leisure,
We are grateful, loving Savior.
For directing us to do justice and to love mercy,
We are grateful, loving Savior.
For the chance to begin again whenever we falter, or fail to place you first in our lives,
We are grateful, loving Savior, for your faithfulness endures through all generations.
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above, then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
For all his love. Amen.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Prayers for the 27th Week in Pentecost
The Watchword for the Week:
So teach us, O God, to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Psalm 90:12
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
Today may we perfectly love You, and worthily magnify your holy name,
And now visit us with your Holy Spirit as we open our hearts to you. Amen.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 90:1-9, 12
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.
12 So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
We come before the throne of grace to unburden our hearts and to receive forgiveness. Let us confess our sin.
Gracious God, we affirm you as our creator, our redeemer, and the sustainer of our lives. You love us so very much that you have reached into our lives to claim us as your own. We confess however that we take your love for granted, and your grace is often forgotten. We allow our lives to become so cluttered that we forget to stop and count the steps that we have taken on any given day and ponder whether those steps have moved us closer or farther away from you. In so doing we often lose count of our days and the wisdom that we can gain from observing them. When these uncounted days mount up, we can find ourselves in places where we thought we would never be. We humbly ask that you would hear our prayer, know our hearts, and forgive us our sin.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take time now to read the Daily Texts for today. Don't rush, but stop and ponder the words or phrases that happen to catch your spirit today.
Following the prayer in the Daily Text prayer the needs and concerns that are impacting your life and the lives of those around you.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Creator of us all, we praise your name because you have lovingly made each one of us. May your intended purpose be made real here on earth, even as it is already done in heaven. Feed us today with those things that we truly need, and may we share our abundance with others. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have done wrong to us. In times of temptation, may we know of your life-giving strength, and keep us from all evil. Gracious God, this is your kingdom, and we acknowledge your power and glory, both now and forever more. AMEN.
Empowering God, just as you created the heavens and the earth,
May you create within us a new life.
Open the eyes of our hearts
To see the impact that our every word and action can have on the lives around us.
You give us each day as a blessed gift.
Guide us and lead us to not only count this day, but to make this day count for the kingdom of God.
May the love of God, the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
Be and abide with us now and forever. AMEN.
So teach us, O God, to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Psalm 90:12
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
Today may we perfectly love You, and worthily magnify your holy name,
And now visit us with your Holy Spirit as we open our hearts to you. Amen.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 90:1-9, 12
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.
12 So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
We come before the throne of grace to unburden our hearts and to receive forgiveness. Let us confess our sin.
Gracious God, we affirm you as our creator, our redeemer, and the sustainer of our lives. You love us so very much that you have reached into our lives to claim us as your own. We confess however that we take your love for granted, and your grace is often forgotten. We allow our lives to become so cluttered that we forget to stop and count the steps that we have taken on any given day and ponder whether those steps have moved us closer or farther away from you. In so doing we often lose count of our days and the wisdom that we can gain from observing them. When these uncounted days mount up, we can find ourselves in places where we thought we would never be. We humbly ask that you would hear our prayer, know our hearts, and forgive us our sin.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take time now to read the Daily Texts for today. Don't rush, but stop and ponder the words or phrases that happen to catch your spirit today.
Following the prayer in the Daily Text prayer the needs and concerns that are impacting your life and the lives of those around you.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Creator of us all, we praise your name because you have lovingly made each one of us. May your intended purpose be made real here on earth, even as it is already done in heaven. Feed us today with those things that we truly need, and may we share our abundance with others. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have done wrong to us. In times of temptation, may we know of your life-giving strength, and keep us from all evil. Gracious God, this is your kingdom, and we acknowledge your power and glory, both now and forever more. AMEN.
Empowering God, just as you created the heavens and the earth,
May you create within us a new life.
Open the eyes of our hearts
To see the impact that our every word and action can have on the lives around us.
You give us each day as a blessed gift.
Guide us and lead us to not only count this day, but to make this day count for the kingdom of God.
May the love of God, the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
Be and abide with us now and forever. AMEN.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Prayers for the 26th Week in Pentecost
Watchword for the Week:
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day or the hour. Matthew 25:13
Loving God, from the busyness of this day,
Call us into your presence.
From the distractions of our lives,
Call us into your presence.
From the slumber into which our faith can fall,
Call us into your presence.
From the pain present in our lives as well as in the world around us,
Call us into your presence.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 70
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me!
2 Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me.
3 Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!
If we say that we have no sin, we have deceived ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sin, and lead us to live a new life.
O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times when we fail to recognize you in the living of our lives. Forgive us for the times when we feel that church activity counts for living a Christian life. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. At times doubt invades our hopefulness, we degrade our own wisdom then say and do foolish things. Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Awaken us so that we might see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from our wisdom.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Standing in the light, let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take time now to read of the Daily Texts. Don't rush while reading, you are not reading to get it done, you are reading to gain meaning. Stop and ponder words and phrases that catch your attention.As you finish with the prayer from the Daily Text, spend an extended time praying for the joys and concerns in your life. This week pray especially for our new President elect, Barack Obama, and the Cabinet that is now being assembled to help him properly administer the Executive branch of our government. At the conclusion of your prayer continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heavenGive us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
Lord awaken us,
To see your presence with us in each moment.
Lord awaken us,
To see the suffering of others.
Lord awaken us,
To the ways in which we can serve you this day.
Lord awaken us,
To see the value that we have in your great kingdom on earth.
Lord awaken us,
To accept the grace that you have already extended to us.
Lord awaken us,
To see how we can share grace with those around us.
Lord awaken us,
To live our lives in anticipation of your return or our being called home to you.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever we do in word or deed, may we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. AMEN.
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day or the hour. Matthew 25:13
Loving God, from the busyness of this day,
Call us into your presence.
From the distractions of our lives,
Call us into your presence.
From the slumber into which our faith can fall,
Call us into your presence.
From the pain present in our lives as well as in the world around us,
Call us into your presence.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 70
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O Lord, make haste to help me!
2 Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me.
3 Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!" turn back because of their shame.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"
5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!
If we say that we have no sin, we have deceived ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sin, and lead us to live a new life.
O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times when we fail to recognize you in the living of our lives. Forgive us for the times when we feel that church activity counts for living a Christian life. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. At times doubt invades our hopefulness, we degrade our own wisdom then say and do foolish things. Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Awaken us so that we might see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from our wisdom.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Standing in the light, let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take time now to read of the Daily Texts. Don't rush while reading, you are not reading to get it done, you are reading to gain meaning. Stop and ponder words and phrases that catch your attention.As you finish with the prayer from the Daily Text, spend an extended time praying for the joys and concerns in your life. This week pray especially for our new President elect, Barack Obama, and the Cabinet that is now being assembled to help him properly administer the Executive branch of our government. At the conclusion of your prayer continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heavenGive us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
Lord awaken us,
To see your presence with us in each moment.
Lord awaken us,
To see the suffering of others.
Lord awaken us,
To the ways in which we can serve you this day.
Lord awaken us,
To see the value that we have in your great kingdom on earth.
Lord awaken us,
To accept the grace that you have already extended to us.
Lord awaken us,
To see how we can share grace with those around us.
Lord awaken us,
To live our lives in anticipation of your return or our being called home to you.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever we do in word or deed, may we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. AMEN.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Prayers for the 25th Week of Pentecost
The Watchword for the week:
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me. Psalm 43:3
Gracious God, gather us into this time and place.
You have been with us throughout this day, but we have not always been aware of your presence. We feel it now.
Give us your spirit of reconciliation,
So that with you we may restore lost relationships, and make whole that which is broken.
Guide us to seek your light,
To brighten each dark corner of our souls.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 43
1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
If we say that we have no sin, we have deceived ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us.
Loving God, we want to live in your light, and we want to be people of truth, but we confess that there are times when we find ourselves in darkness. We retreat to dark places because it is here that we fool ourselves into thinking that you won’t see us, and it is here that we separate ourselves from you. This darkness then imprisons us with shame and we withhold truth from even those that we love. May your light shine into our dark corners, banish the shadows, and release the truth so that we might be liberated by your grace. Hold us close and build our relationship with you and those you have given us on earth.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Standing in the light, let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take time now to read of the Daily Texts. Don't rush while reading, you are not reading to get it done, you are reading to gain meaning. Stop and ponder words and phrases that catch your attention.
As you finish with the prayer from the Daily Text, spend an extended time praying for the joys and concerns in your life. This week pray especially for the United States as we come to the conclusion of this election cycle. We pray that God's will may be known and done among us. At the conclusion of your prayer continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and forever. Amen
Lord, your light is wonderful.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your light is marvelous.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your light fills this dark world of sin.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your light gives us hope for a new day.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light for our path.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
And now may the Lord’s blessing be upon you.
May the Lord’s face shine upon you.
May the Lord’s countenance be lifted upon you, and give you peace.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me. Psalm 43:3
Gracious God, gather us into this time and place.
You have been with us throughout this day, but we have not always been aware of your presence. We feel it now.
Give us your spirit of reconciliation,
So that with you we may restore lost relationships, and make whole that which is broken.
Guide us to seek your light,
To brighten each dark corner of our souls.
Psalm for the Week: Psalm 43
1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
If we say that we have no sin, we have deceived ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us.
Loving God, we want to live in your light, and we want to be people of truth, but we confess that there are times when we find ourselves in darkness. We retreat to dark places because it is here that we fool ourselves into thinking that you won’t see us, and it is here that we separate ourselves from you. This darkness then imprisons us with shame and we withhold truth from even those that we love. May your light shine into our dark corners, banish the shadows, and release the truth so that we might be liberated by your grace. Hold us close and build our relationship with you and those you have given us on earth.
The Lord says to each of us: “I will be merciful to your sins, and I will not remember them. Peace be unto you.” Standing in the light, let us give praise to the triune God:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take time now to read of the Daily Texts. Don't rush while reading, you are not reading to get it done, you are reading to gain meaning. Stop and ponder words and phrases that catch your attention.
As you finish with the prayer from the Daily Text, spend an extended time praying for the joys and concerns in your life. This week pray especially for the United States as we come to the conclusion of this election cycle. We pray that God's will may be known and done among us. At the conclusion of your prayer continue as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins,as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and forever. Amen
Lord, your light is wonderful.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your light is marvelous.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your light fills this dark world of sin.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your light gives us hope for a new day.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
Lord, your Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light for our path.
May your light and truth shine forth from our lives.
And now may the Lord’s blessing be upon you.
May the Lord’s face shine upon you.
May the Lord’s countenance be lifted upon you, and give you peace.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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