Prayers In Ordinary Times
Prayer
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VII, Cycle C
Object:
God of light, God of truth, abide with us as evening falls. The stars shine bright, and you gave them their light. The trees are silvered, and it is you who dress them with the light of the moon. The world is transformed, and yet it is still your earth, your sky, your sea. We are grateful that there is no place we can go that you are not already there. Be with us now as your people gather together in your name. Amen.
* * *
Lord, we know you are present, but we don't share the sense of your presence. Help us to feel that you are walking close beside us during this difficult time. As you led your people through the desert as a pillar of fire by night and as a pillar of cloud by day, help us to see clearly the markers you have placed in our lives, so we may follow you through the dry places of discipleship, and on to the promised land of your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
* * *
Loving God, we have seen the example of your Son in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. We know there is enough and even more for us to share, that all may be satisfied. You called for your disciples to aid Jesus in that miracle and you call for us again to call plenty into being again. Help us to become your presence in this world, fulfilling the physical as well as spiritual needs of those in our community as well as around the world. These things we pray in your Son's name. Amen.
* * *
Jesus, as we struggle through disagreements help us to recall that we are all your people, that you have called us into one family, that you are not interested in our squabbles. Help us keep the promise that at your name every knee will bow, as we come together in unity based on your lordship and not our power. Your disciples asked to sit at your right hand, and we ask that that we might prove as worthy if we will seek to be your servants, first and foremost. Bless us with the peace that passes understanding. In your name we pray. Amen.
* * *
God, there is no other but you, no desire as great as the desire to serve you and see you, no longing so deep as the longing in our hearts to be with you and abide by you, no joy so profound except the joy that comes from true apprehension of your works, and no satisfaction greater than when we praise your name. When I recall the works of your hands, in the lives of our ancestors in the faith and in the days of our generation, I proclaim that you are a living God who visits your people in every age, a caring God whose love is felt intimately from the rising to the setting sun, and a saving God, who in the darkest night of our lives abides with us though fast falls the eventide. I will praise you daily, and should I forget to praise, then I beg you to recall to my mind my pledge to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
* * *
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who are we, a people of unclean lips living in a world of nucleons, to glimpse your glory even from afar in the faces of the human family. Nevertheless we cry aloud, as if fueled by your will, "Here we are! Send us!" Send us into the midst of a tortured land to proclaim the day of your salvation. Send us into a broken people to proclaim that in Christ there is no east or west, in Christ no south or north. Send us through a confused nation to demonstrate through your steadfast love that there is neither black nor white, Asian or Hispanic, native or immigrant, but one people called to the city of God, the pure bride of Christ, descending from the clouds to live in the midst of God's people. You are Lord, and we are your followers. Fill us with your power not for our gain but for the fulfillment of your will. This we pray in your strength. Amen.
* * *
Lord, as nations again feel called to war, as men and women seek to settle their differences through the might of arms, give us the courage to witness now as in the past, that you are the Prince of Peace, that you favor no side, that you love all individuals. You do not know nations or aims or causes. You know us by our name and not by our citizenship. You are not on anyone's side. It is your desire that all come to the cross and stand by your side. If you will give us the strength we will be your witness while passions are strong and reason is weak, calling all again to favor peace and abandon war. Amen.
* * *
Forgiving God, we pray this day for those condemned to die. Whether or not they have committed crimes which shock or grieve us, we acknowledge you as Lord of life and death, and affirm that vengeance is yours, not ours. We call to mind as well the pain and sorrow of family and friends who have lost dear ones as a result of violence, and ask you that comfort survivors even as you have sheltered those who died in pain. What we cannot undo we give to you. What we can change you give to us. Hear our prayer, in our confusion. Fulfill our desire to do your will in a world of ambiguities. Deliver us from darkness and dark desires. Let the least of your children come to you in this hour. For we are convinced that nothing is beyond your forgiving love, and that neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
* * *
God, this is your world not ours. We thank you for quiet gardens, the first tomato of the season, and the abundant zucchinis in paper sacks. We thank you for fertile fields, abundant corn, and waving grain. Accept our offering to you, which we bring before you, with the resolve that what is yours is only temporarily ours. Let us be worthy in our sharing of this gift you have give to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the renewal of your promise that until the end of time, summer and winter, springtime and harvest, will not cease. Amen.
* * *
Lord, we pray now for the return of your Son and our Savior. We know that Jesus will come at a time of your choosing and not ours, and we will continue to wait patiently as did your servants Simeon and Anna. Nevertheless we reveal to you our heart's desire, that even as we pray your Son will return, that all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, that what we have known in part will be known by all in full. We see through a glass darkly. We desire to see you face to face. If it is your will that we wait a little longer, we accept this, but it is our desire to say as God's people, "Now let your servant depart in peace, for our eyes have seen the glory." We pray in expectation of that glorious day. Maran Atha -- come Lord Jesus. Even so. Amen.
* * *
Lord, what have we forgotten to do? What have we neglected? Who have we ignored? Open our eyes that we may see, open our hearts that we may love, open our ears that we may hear. Let your will become ours. Perfect us in your love. Amen.
* * *
Lord of life, these autumn winds cause leaves to fall, and wake us to the coming of the cold. This is the time of watching signs, departing birds, receding dreams. We know what we wished to do and what we have not accomplished. We call to mind completed tasks. We catalog regrets and carefully shelve for future days those intentions we have fulfilled. All times are yours and all needs you fulfill in their season. Thank you, God, for the animals in their burrows, preparing for deep winter's sleep, and for the life of your people, waiting to be fulfilled in Christ. Lord of lords, God, Light of light, true God of true God. You are what you are. We are your people. This we pray in your Son's name. Amen.
* * *
Lord, we know you are present, but we don't share the sense of your presence. Help us to feel that you are walking close beside us during this difficult time. As you led your people through the desert as a pillar of fire by night and as a pillar of cloud by day, help us to see clearly the markers you have placed in our lives, so we may follow you through the dry places of discipleship, and on to the promised land of your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
* * *
Loving God, we have seen the example of your Son in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. We know there is enough and even more for us to share, that all may be satisfied. You called for your disciples to aid Jesus in that miracle and you call for us again to call plenty into being again. Help us to become your presence in this world, fulfilling the physical as well as spiritual needs of those in our community as well as around the world. These things we pray in your Son's name. Amen.
* * *
Jesus, as we struggle through disagreements help us to recall that we are all your people, that you have called us into one family, that you are not interested in our squabbles. Help us keep the promise that at your name every knee will bow, as we come together in unity based on your lordship and not our power. Your disciples asked to sit at your right hand, and we ask that that we might prove as worthy if we will seek to be your servants, first and foremost. Bless us with the peace that passes understanding. In your name we pray. Amen.
* * *
God, there is no other but you, no desire as great as the desire to serve you and see you, no longing so deep as the longing in our hearts to be with you and abide by you, no joy so profound except the joy that comes from true apprehension of your works, and no satisfaction greater than when we praise your name. When I recall the works of your hands, in the lives of our ancestors in the faith and in the days of our generation, I proclaim that you are a living God who visits your people in every age, a caring God whose love is felt intimately from the rising to the setting sun, and a saving God, who in the darkest night of our lives abides with us though fast falls the eventide. I will praise you daily, and should I forget to praise, then I beg you to recall to my mind my pledge to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
* * *
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who are we, a people of unclean lips living in a world of nucleons, to glimpse your glory even from afar in the faces of the human family. Nevertheless we cry aloud, as if fueled by your will, "Here we are! Send us!" Send us into the midst of a tortured land to proclaim the day of your salvation. Send us into a broken people to proclaim that in Christ there is no east or west, in Christ no south or north. Send us through a confused nation to demonstrate through your steadfast love that there is neither black nor white, Asian or Hispanic, native or immigrant, but one people called to the city of God, the pure bride of Christ, descending from the clouds to live in the midst of God's people. You are Lord, and we are your followers. Fill us with your power not for our gain but for the fulfillment of your will. This we pray in your strength. Amen.
* * *
Lord, as nations again feel called to war, as men and women seek to settle their differences through the might of arms, give us the courage to witness now as in the past, that you are the Prince of Peace, that you favor no side, that you love all individuals. You do not know nations or aims or causes. You know us by our name and not by our citizenship. You are not on anyone's side. It is your desire that all come to the cross and stand by your side. If you will give us the strength we will be your witness while passions are strong and reason is weak, calling all again to favor peace and abandon war. Amen.
* * *
Forgiving God, we pray this day for those condemned to die. Whether or not they have committed crimes which shock or grieve us, we acknowledge you as Lord of life and death, and affirm that vengeance is yours, not ours. We call to mind as well the pain and sorrow of family and friends who have lost dear ones as a result of violence, and ask you that comfort survivors even as you have sheltered those who died in pain. What we cannot undo we give to you. What we can change you give to us. Hear our prayer, in our confusion. Fulfill our desire to do your will in a world of ambiguities. Deliver us from darkness and dark desires. Let the least of your children come to you in this hour. For we are convinced that nothing is beyond your forgiving love, and that neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
* * *
God, this is your world not ours. We thank you for quiet gardens, the first tomato of the season, and the abundant zucchinis in paper sacks. We thank you for fertile fields, abundant corn, and waving grain. Accept our offering to you, which we bring before you, with the resolve that what is yours is only temporarily ours. Let us be worthy in our sharing of this gift you have give to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the renewal of your promise that until the end of time, summer and winter, springtime and harvest, will not cease. Amen.
* * *
Lord, we pray now for the return of your Son and our Savior. We know that Jesus will come at a time of your choosing and not ours, and we will continue to wait patiently as did your servants Simeon and Anna. Nevertheless we reveal to you our heart's desire, that even as we pray your Son will return, that all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, that what we have known in part will be known by all in full. We see through a glass darkly. We desire to see you face to face. If it is your will that we wait a little longer, we accept this, but it is our desire to say as God's people, "Now let your servant depart in peace, for our eyes have seen the glory." We pray in expectation of that glorious day. Maran Atha -- come Lord Jesus. Even so. Amen.
* * *
Lord, what have we forgotten to do? What have we neglected? Who have we ignored? Open our eyes that we may see, open our hearts that we may love, open our ears that we may hear. Let your will become ours. Perfect us in your love. Amen.
* * *
Lord of life, these autumn winds cause leaves to fall, and wake us to the coming of the cold. This is the time of watching signs, departing birds, receding dreams. We know what we wished to do and what we have not accomplished. We call to mind completed tasks. We catalog regrets and carefully shelve for future days those intentions we have fulfilled. All times are yours and all needs you fulfill in their season. Thank you, God, for the animals in their burrows, preparing for deep winter's sleep, and for the life of your people, waiting to be fulfilled in Christ. Lord of lords, God, Light of light, true God of true God. You are what you are. We are your people. This we pray in your Son's name. Amen.
