Monday, February 2, 2009

Prayers for the 4th Week In Epiphany

Watchword for the Week:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. Psalm 111:10

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 with joy.
The word of God is calling.
Let us worship in spirit and in truth.

Psalm 111:1-10

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

Confession of Sin

When we cease to acknowledge God’s presence in our lives, we lose the ability to make wise choices with them, and so it is that we sin. Let us make confession of those short-comings.

Gracious God we know that you are the creator of all that is and will be. We confess that your supreme wisdom set the planets into motion, set the galaxies in their places, and made the universe in all of its infinite majesty. We recognize that it is you who set forth life on this planet, and created each one of us with love and care. Forgive us when we forget our place in your universe. Forgive us when we think that it is our wisdom that makes our part of the world go around. Forgive us for the times when we have not feared your presence with us and have said and done things that lacked understanding and have hurt both ourselves and others. Bring us home to you, our rock and our redeemer.

My friends, God is faithful and just. God seeks only to forgive your sins and will not remember them. 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)


Let us confess our faith in the One who truly loves us:

I believe in the one true God, the Father of humanity,
who creates and sustains the universe in wisdom and power,
who calls us into being and into relationship with God by grace, whose nature is love.

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who lived that we might see God,
who died that we might be reconciled to God,
who rose that we might experience the
life of God,
who freely accepts and welcomes all who come to him, not on the basis of their merit, but on the basis of his unconditional love.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
who is God present with us now,
who shows us our need for God,
who assures us of God’s love in all circumstances
who lives the life and love of Jesus Christ through us.

In this faith I will seek to live in harmony with God, with people everywhere, and with all of creation. Amen.
(From the Moravian Book of Worship, the Liturgy for Creation, page 29. Used by permission from the Moravian Interprovincial Board of Communication.)

Triune God, knowing your will for us sends us to bring good news to the oppressed,
and to bind the wounds of those broken in heart,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prisons to those who are bound,
to announce the year of your grace,
to comfort all who mourn,
to give them a garland of consolation,
instead of the ashes of mourning,
the oil of gladness and healing,
and the rolling tears that wash away sorrow.
So may we be called oaks of righteousness,
trees that you plant to shade and sustain.
As the earth puts forth its blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so you make justice flower,
and bear its fruit of peace among the peoples.


Lord of the dance, in whom we live and move and exult for joy, guide our steps through the complexity of our lives.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us, and ways in which we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those that we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.

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