Proper 21
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle A
Object:
Words Of Assurance
Trust in the Lord, and do good, and he will give you the desires of your heart. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Pastoral Prayer
It is so hard for us to think of you, our Father, so hard for us to feel your presence as we do the presence of a friend whom we can see and touch and hear. You are so high, so lifted up, so pure and wonderful in all your ways that you seem almost past our understanding altogether.
Yet we know that you are closer to us than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet. Even when we doubt you, we know that it is you who gives us the strength to doubt. So once again, in fellowship with those who share our vows and hopes with us, we bow before you. Pulling back as best we can the thoughts that wander far away from you, we fix our minds on you and pray that you will heal our hearts and make them whole. For we are so worried, Lord, so anxious, so fretful. We are hurried, yet we have eternity. We are afraid, yet we have you. We wish we knew your will for us, yet in Christ you give us the very knowledge which we seek and say we do not have.
Come now to this portion of your people, we pray. Descend upon this congregation. In the heart of each of us be not an idea only, a theory, a thought, a hope, or a dream. Be a Being met and known. Persuade us into praying, and out of our prayers bring forth that knowledge which the world can neither give nor take away, that confidence which has no fear of life or death, that peace which passes understanding and is not moved by any awfulness which humans conceive or undertake.
What we can do to make the world more nearly as you intended it, reveal to us, our Father, and what we comprehend of your will for us, grant us to obey. Lead us until our daily work becomes an instrument for high and holy things. Transform our homes that they may be the seedbeds of your purpose. Chasten our souls until they know the joy of sacrifice. And bring us in the end to love you with all our hearts and to serve you with all our strength.
We lift our prayers in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Benediction
What you have heard with your ears, may you believe in your hearts; and what you believe in your hearts may you practice in your lives; and the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you now and always. Amen.
Trust in the Lord, and do good, and he will give you the desires of your heart. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Pastoral Prayer
It is so hard for us to think of you, our Father, so hard for us to feel your presence as we do the presence of a friend whom we can see and touch and hear. You are so high, so lifted up, so pure and wonderful in all your ways that you seem almost past our understanding altogether.
Yet we know that you are closer to us than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet. Even when we doubt you, we know that it is you who gives us the strength to doubt. So once again, in fellowship with those who share our vows and hopes with us, we bow before you. Pulling back as best we can the thoughts that wander far away from you, we fix our minds on you and pray that you will heal our hearts and make them whole. For we are so worried, Lord, so anxious, so fretful. We are hurried, yet we have eternity. We are afraid, yet we have you. We wish we knew your will for us, yet in Christ you give us the very knowledge which we seek and say we do not have.
Come now to this portion of your people, we pray. Descend upon this congregation. In the heart of each of us be not an idea only, a theory, a thought, a hope, or a dream. Be a Being met and known. Persuade us into praying, and out of our prayers bring forth that knowledge which the world can neither give nor take away, that confidence which has no fear of life or death, that peace which passes understanding and is not moved by any awfulness which humans conceive or undertake.
What we can do to make the world more nearly as you intended it, reveal to us, our Father, and what we comprehend of your will for us, grant us to obey. Lead us until our daily work becomes an instrument for high and holy things. Transform our homes that they may be the seedbeds of your purpose. Chasten our souls until they know the joy of sacrifice. And bring us in the end to love you with all our hearts and to serve you with all our strength.
We lift our prayers in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Benediction
What you have heard with your ears, may you believe in your hearts; and what you believe in your hearts may you practice in your lives; and the blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you now and always. Amen.
