Watchword for the Week:
Trust in him at all times, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8
Gracious God, from the busyness of our day we pause to remember that we are yours.
You give us our breath, and you deserve to be a part of our every moment.
Magnificent are your ways, and gracious is your will.
May our lives be lived in response to your freely given love.
Psalm 62:1-2,5-12
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
9 Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.
Confession of Sin
We are a wandering people, O God, who seek refuge and protection in the vanity of our world. Accept now our confession of sin and our desire to be closer to you.
Loving God we seek not to approach your throne of grace on the basis of our own merit, but knowing that you earnestly seek to be in relationship with us. Forgive us for the times when we have deceived ourselves into thinking that we could find happiness in our lives through material possessions and money. Forgive us for the times when we have deceived ourselves into thinking that even relationships could fill an emptiness in our lives more completely than our relationship with you. Forgive us when we have allowed ourselves to be deceived into following the pattern of living deemed acceptable by our society instead of us taking the narrow path that leads us to you. Help us to put our full confidence and trust in you, our rock and our refuge.
My friends, God is faithful and just. God seeks only to forgive your sins and will not remember them. God asks that you now live a new life. Rejoice, be glad, and give God praise.
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.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Lord God, Father, hear us as we pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come
Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
With the whole of Christendom we affirm that the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.
Let us love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength.
Loving God, in the midst of this busy day help us to remember your profound love for us,
Be close to us as we chose words and actions in our dealings with others.
In the midst of this busy day help us to remember that we are your ambassadors to the world.
May others see and hear in us the message of your life-giving love.
In the midst of this busy day help us to remember that in Jesus Christ you set for us a pattern for living.
Be near to our hearts as we make decisions concerning matters both great and small for we seek to give all of ourselves to you.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glory without fault and with unspeakable joy,
to the only God, our savior, be glory and majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, now, and in all ages to come, Amen.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Prayers for the First Week After Epiphany
The Watchword for the Week:
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor. Psalm 29:2
Gracious God, from the busyness of our day we pause to remember that we are yours.
We seek to make you a part of our every moment.
Magnificent are your ways, and gracious is your will.
May our lives be lived in response to your freely given love.
Psalm 29:1-11
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Confession of Sin
Let us in penitence and humility confess our sins before the throne of grace, praying together:
We confess to you, loving God, that our daily lives do not always honor you. You deserve our endless praise, but we often forget that you are there. You deserve our tithes, but we give you what is left over. You deserve our moral purity, but we forget your commandments. You deserve our undivided attention, but we give you a passing glance. You ask that we live lives of grace and righteousness, but we live by debt and obligation. Your will is that we live in peace with one another, but we live within emotional and physical barriers that separate us from those different than us. We want to be closer to you, so accept our humble confession of sin and our desire to begin a new life today.
My friends, God is faithful and just. God will not remember your sins. Rejoice, be glad, and give God praise.
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.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Lord God, Father, hear us as we pray:
Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy, and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world that surrounds us. May the bread that we need for today be made available for us and all who are hungry; and may you forgive us, just as we are able to forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find who we truly are as we walk in your light. Amen.
Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
Whom you have prepared for all the world to see.
A Light to enlighten the nations,
And the glory of your people Israel.
The work of the Creator is visible.
Let us respond with praise.
The example of Jesus is apparent.
Let us respond with obedience.
The wind of the Spirit is blowing
Let us respond by yielding to its leading.
The word of God is calling.
Let us worship in spirit and in truth.
Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might,
Belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor. Psalm 29:2
Gracious God, from the busyness of our day we pause to remember that we are yours.
We seek to make you a part of our every moment.
Magnificent are your ways, and gracious is your will.
May our lives be lived in response to your freely given love.
Psalm 29:1-11
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Confession of Sin
Let us in penitence and humility confess our sins before the throne of grace, praying together:
We confess to you, loving God, that our daily lives do not always honor you. You deserve our endless praise, but we often forget that you are there. You deserve our tithes, but we give you what is left over. You deserve our moral purity, but we forget your commandments. You deserve our undivided attention, but we give you a passing glance. You ask that we live lives of grace and righteousness, but we live by debt and obligation. Your will is that we live in peace with one another, but we live within emotional and physical barriers that separate us from those different than us. We want to be closer to you, so accept our humble confession of sin and our desire to begin a new life today.
My friends, God is faithful and just. God will not remember your sins. Rejoice, be glad, and give God praise.
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.
Reading of the Daily Texts
Prayers of the Community of Faith (spoken and silent)
Lord God, Father, hear us as we pray:
Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy, and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world that surrounds us. May the bread that we need for today be made available for us and all who are hungry; and may you forgive us, just as we are able to forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find who we truly are as we walk in your light. Amen.
Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
Whom you have prepared for all the world to see.
A Light to enlighten the nations,
And the glory of your people Israel.
The work of the Creator is visible.
Let us respond with praise.
The example of Jesus is apparent.
Let us respond with obedience.
The wind of the Spirit is blowing
Let us respond by yielding to its leading.
The word of God is calling.
Let us worship in spirit and in truth.
Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might,
Belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Prayers for Christmas/Epiphany
The Watchword for the Week:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
O Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth your praise.
Make speed, O God, to save us.
Make haste to help us, O Lord.
Sing praise to the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,
One God, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 147:12-20
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16,17 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!
Invitation to Confession
Loving and gracious God, we know of your love for us because you have given us this most precious gift in your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Knowing that you forgive those who are willing to admit their shortcomings, we now offer to you our confession of sin.
Confession of Sin:
O Holy One, we know that you love us unconditionally. Yet there are times when we fail to recognize you in the routine of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes we shrink in fear, and we miss the chance to speak from our hearts. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness, and we degrade your image in us. Holy God, amidst the tasks of this day, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak words of grace.
Hear the words of our Lord and Savior, “Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.” Let us give thanks to 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 over the texts to complete the task, but savor each word as they are each a gift from God. When you are done with the Prayer take a moment to lift of the needs and concerns of our world, and those most close to you. Pray especially for peace in the Holy Land, as once again bullets and bombs are being used instead of grace. When you have come to the end of our prayer, continue as follows:
Lord God, Father, hear us as we pray the prayer that you taught your disciples:
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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
whom you have prepared for all the world to see.
A Light to enlighten the nations,
And the glory of your people Israel.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Send forth your Spirit, Lord,
Renew the face of the earth.
Creator Spirit, come,
Inflame our waiting hearts.
Lord, hear our prayer,
And let our cry come to You.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
O Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth your praise.
Make speed, O God, to save us.
Make haste to help us, O Lord.
Sing praise to the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer,
One God, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 147:12-20
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16,17 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!
Invitation to Confession
Loving and gracious God, we know of your love for us because you have given us this most precious gift in your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Knowing that you forgive those who are willing to admit their shortcomings, we now offer to you our confession of sin.
Confession of Sin:
O Holy One, we know that you love us unconditionally. Yet there are times when we fail to recognize you in the routine of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes we shrink in fear, and we miss the chance to speak from our hearts. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness, and we degrade your image in us. Holy God, amidst the tasks of this day, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak words of grace.
Hear the words of our Lord and Savior, “Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.” Let us give thanks to 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 over the texts to complete the task, but savor each word as they are each a gift from God. When you are done with the Prayer take a moment to lift of the needs and concerns of our world, and those most close to you. Pray especially for peace in the Holy Land, as once again bullets and bombs are being used instead of grace. When you have come to the end of our prayer, continue as follows:
Lord God, Father, hear us as we pray the prayer that you taught your disciples:
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. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;
for these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
whom you have prepared for all the world to see.
A Light to enlighten the nations,
And the glory of your people Israel.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Send forth your Spirit, Lord,
Renew the face of the earth.
Creator Spirit, come,
Inflame our waiting hearts.
Lord, hear our prayer,
And let our cry come to You.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
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