prayer – Page 29 – katyandtheword

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Christmas Eve Dec. 24th

Prayer Resource for Narrative Lectionary in Advent, written by diverse pastors

A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.

These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 24th 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins

Luke 21:1-20 and Psalm 96:7-10

Call to Worship

Like the shepherds at the manger of the little tiny Babe,

on that first Christmas Day, all are welcome;

Come worship the little One who will one day rule the world;

Come, all ye who are called to share the divinity of the Christ Child;

Come. Let us worship our Lord together.

Responsive Call to Worship (Psalm 96:7-10, NIV)

Leader: Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

People: ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Leader: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

People: bring an offering and come into his courts.

Leader: Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;

People: tremble before him, all the earth.

Leader: Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

People: The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

Leader: He will judge the peoples with equity.

Opening Prayer

O most gracious and ever loving Father;

We come, as your children, to be with you.

We come to experience the love you have for us as revealed by the birth

of your son over 2000 years ago.

Just a babe, not knowing what His life would bring, he obeyed your will.

The most precious baby born among us … to live with us … to love us … to save us.

Be with us Father, as we worship and remember that day O so long ago. Amen.

Advent Wreath Prayer (adapted from umcdiscipleship.org)

Reader: “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger” (Luke 2:6-7).

Reader: Tonight, angels far and near sing tender lullabies; well-worn fabric full of years holds in the warmth of parental love; animals and shepherds crowd in tight, glowing with adoration, while a muffled cry squeezes out to greet the world.

People: Tonight we give thanks for every child among us. Each new birth, regardless of circumstances, reminds us how precious life is, the potential of tomorrow, and the promise of God.

Reader: On this Christmas Eve, we light the Christ candle for the child-King, the infant-Redeemer, the lowly-Lord. And now we know … He is born, and nothing will ever be the same!

Hymn: Infant Lowly

Prayer of Confession / Assurance

Almighty God and Father;

Delight in our pleas for forgiveness as we repent of our sins.

We come before you shameful that a little Babe had to be born into this dark world,

and then suffer to save us.

We come wholly committed to doing your will;

we accept your Son, Jesus the Christ, as our Lord and Savior.

Teach us to forgive as you have forgiven us. Let us hold no grudges.

Keep us from prideful acts and hurtful behavior.

Show us the path of love as we struggle in our human flesh.

Teach us your ways and remind us daily of our need to give up bad habits, anger,

unforgiveness, and all the things that keep us from being close to you.

Most Holy One, the birth of your Son, Jesus the Christ child, assures us of a future with you;

a future of joy, happiness and peace.

He came to be born this day to save us from eternal damnation.

Through him you poured upon us your grace, hope and forgiveness.

Help us to see this little babe in the manger, not as a cute cuddly baby that we’d

like to snuggle and rock, but as the Savor and King you sent him to be. Amen.

We ask all these things, in the name of the tiny babe, Jesus the Christ,

whose birth we celebrate today. Amen.

Hymn: What Child is This

Communion Prayer

For the Bread

We give thanks Father for this Bread of Life,

for your Son, born to die.

We remember the sacrifice He made

so that we can have the opportunity to live in your presence.

Let us never forget the reason he so willingly came to us this night.

As we partake in this meal we remember the babe,

who so willingly gave all for us.

For the Cup

We give you thanks Father for the cup of eternal salvation,

for the healing he brought us.

By taking of this cup we experience the glory of your majesty.

By taking this cup we experience your saving grace

By taking this cup we experience faith and hope so freely given

In this communion encounter may we experience

oneness with you, may we experience your presence,

and may we go forth into the world sharing your light.

Prayer of Dedication / Offering

Gracious Father,

You gave us your son;

we give you our lives.

You supply our needs;

we share with the needy.

You are generous with us.

We return a portion of that which you have so graciously given us.

Bless these gifts, dear Lord;

that they will be used for your purpose and for your kingdom.

Hymn: Silent Night

Dec. 3rd by Rev. Johanna Rehbaum

Dec. 10th by Rev. Mike Williams

Dec. 17th by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Dec. 24th Morning by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 17th

A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.

These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 17^th, 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Isaiah 55:1-13 and John 4:13-14

Call to Worship from Psalm 126

One Voice: Beloved, as we gather on this third Sunday of Advent, let us recall with gladness the God who has kept us thus far.

ALL: We gather with mouths filled with laughter, and we lift our voices with shouts of joy. Even through our tears and our struggles in these times, we rejoice for we know that we are never alone. Today, we can boldly declare in all circumstances that the Lord has done great things for us. Our joyful praise belongs to God. Alleluia and amen.

Call to Confession

Too often we lose sight of what is important and what is good for our souls—our bodies even! We spend our resources, our time and our energy on things that are not life-affirming or joy-inspiring—and sometimes we even fill up on things that cause harm to us, others and our planet.

Let us take a moment and reflect on the things we need to let go of? those places in our lives we need God to restore? Let us confess our sins, not out of guilt but with a desire to have our joy made complete in God. Let us pray in silence…

(Moment of Silent Prayer)

Prayer of Assurance

Sisters, brothers, siblings—God desires to be in right relationship with each and every one of us. Just as God forgave David and promised God’s steadfast love to him—so it is for us. Let us with joyful hearts turn back to God and as the prophet Isaiah declares “be led back in peace.” Having claimed this peace for ourselves, let us now share the sign of peace with one another.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

One Voice: Today we light the 3^rd Advent Candle—the candle which represents joy.

ALL: In the lighting of this candle—we invoke God’s joy into this holy season, which can be painful and lonely for so many. We declare God’s joy in these times when the world is filled with hardness and hate. We believe that God’s promise of joy is everlasting and burns boldly within each and every one of us. Like the light of this flame, today we let our joy shine for all the world to see! Amen.

Dec 3rd by Rev. Johanna Rehbaum

Dec 10th by Rev. Mike Williams

Dec. 24th Christmas Morning by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

Dec 24th Christmas Eve by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 10th

Dec 10th 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Mike Williams

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Texts: Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:25-26

Call to Worship:

Leader: The frenzied pace of the holiday season and a frantic news cycle can leave us dry and brittle.

People: And yet, the hand of the Lord still comes upon us.

Leader: We find ourselves in the valley wondering whether life is possible.

People: And yet, the Spirit sets us down where we need to be.

Leader: We come together today seeking to hear the Word of the Lord.

People: Come, Lord God, speak to us. Breathe upon us, that we may live.

Call to Confession:

The Lord has spoken to us through prophets and through God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Despite this, we often feel lost and completely cut off. Confession is an opportunity to take an honest look at ourselves and to ask for the Holy Spirit to come upon us once more. Please join me as we pray together the prayer of confession…

Prayer of Confession:

O Lord, our God, you have called us to be your people and to stand on your Word. Even though you have granted us hope, breath, and life itself, we confess that we have allowed the noise, violence, and injustice of this world to dry up our faith. Sin leads us to graves of our own making. Speak to us once more, O God. Bring us back. Help us to live. Cause us once more to know that your Son, Jesus Christ, is our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Words of Assurance:

Mortals, the good news of our faith is this, Jesus has opened up the grave and brought us back to the land of the living. We have been forgiven. The Holy Spirit is at work within us. We shall live as God’s own people. Know that the Lord has spoken and acted on our behalf. Through Christ we can be at peace. Amen.

Passing of the Peace:

In his vision, Ezekiel saw the life-giving power of God’s Spirit at work. That same Holy Spirit is present with us in worship today. Let us share the peace that we have received through the passing of the peace.

Lighting of the Advent Candle:

Reader 1: Our world is often frightening and overwhelming. Peace seems absent from the headlines. Such situations are nothing new. Ezekiel lived in a time of exile. His vision of a valley of dry bones reminds us that people have always dealt with violence and injustice. Peace was in as short supply then as it is today. Fortunately, God did not allow the story to end there. Ezekiel was called to prophesy a message of restoration, life, and peace.

Reader 2: During Advent we prepare to receive the one who was able to overcome death and offer us everlasting peace. Today we light the candle of peace. We remember that Jesus was called the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. In John 14:27 he offered that peace to his disciples, and to all of us, when he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

Reader 1: We light this candle as a sign of the peace of Christ given to us. (light the candle)

Reader 2: May we always remember this peace and allow it to sustain us throughout this Advent season. Let us pray…

People: Almighty God, we seek to love you and live in the Spirit of truth. Often, however, we find ourselves overcome by the world. In this moment we ask you to reveal yourself to us once more. Help us to remember the peace that your Son offers. Prepare us once more to receive him throughout this Advent season. Amen.

Dec. 3rd by Rev. Johanna Rehbaum

Dec. 17th by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Dec. 24th Christmas Morning by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

Dec. 24th Christmas Eve by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins

Mother’s Day Confession Prayer

O Creating God who loved us into being, we your children praise you. When we fall, you lift us up, when we fail you restore us, when we are wounded you nurse us, when we grieve you weep with us, when we celebrate you laugh with us. But sometimes we don’t reach out to you, we are embarrassed, or we forget, or we feel silly. Help us to reach out to you at any and all times of our lives we pray. Amen

Parts borrowed from https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/03/prayer-of-confession-womens-day.html

Hearts Aflame Prayer

Holy Jesus, how can we not recognize you? How can we have celebrated the resurrection with the women, and yet still the disciples are not yet aware that Easter has taken place. Melt our hearts, O Lord, set us on fire, so we might no longer journey frightened and alone, but know you are more than footprints in the sand, so we might know you walk with us. Amen

Easter/Resurrection Links of Prayer

Invitation to be Raised by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl) appreciated.

Luke 24:1-12 and Psalm 118: 17, 21-24 or Psalm 118:20

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer

Option A: Gospel

Bring us to your place of resurrection, Lord.

Perplex us. Terrify us. Make us remember.

Send us out to tell the good news.

Bring us back to see for ourselves.

Amaze us by what has happened, and by what continues to happen.

Make us your resurrection people.

Option B: Gospel

We are perplexed when Christ Jesus is not in the tomb.When confronted by your messengers, we are moved to worship.They tell us we are looking for the living among the dead and testify to who Jesus is and what he has promised.Confront us. Speak to us. Fulfill your promises to us.Embolden us to carry Easter news to the world:Christ is risen! ALL: Christ is risen indeed!

Option C: Psalm

I shall not die, but I shall live

I shall recount the deeds of the Lord.

I thank you that you have answered me and become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the Lord’s doing

It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Prayer of Confession

God, many times we do not pay attention to the tales of what you do. We think they are idle nonsense, full of wishful thinking and overactive imaginings. We are afraid to believe them. We don’t want to be ridiculed or disappointed. When we do not see you, we think that you are missing-in-action. We expect death and tombs, not resurrection and new life. Often we do not remember what you have promised or what you have done. We think that you acted in other times and place, not our own, or we want to be in charge of how and when and why you are act. Forgive us, Lord, and help our unbelief.

Easter Litany

(Possibly for Communion)

One; On this Easter morning,

Many: on this day of resurrection,

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

One: As Jesus rose up from the grave.

Many: and Peter rose up to go and see

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

One: Raise us up to the surface

Many: where we can breathe.

One; Raise us up to the mountain

Many: where you can be seen and heard.

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

One: Raise us up from the tomb

Many: renouncing the old life in favor of the new.

One: Raise us up in mutiny against the powers of evil

Many: resisting hate and injustice.

One: Raise us up in rebellion against all that would separate and divide

Many: Straighten us up in the face of overwhelming threats

ALL O Lord, raise us up.

One: Raise us up from death.

Many: Raise us up with your burgeoning life.

One: Raise us up with your effervescent Spirit.

Many: As your resurrection people

ALL: O Lord, raise us up.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers

Crucifixion/Good Friday Links of Prayer Lenten Resource

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Invitation to by Rev. Rev Lee Ann Higgins

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Lee Ann Higgins) appreciated.

Luke 23:32-47 and Psalm 31:5-13 ro Palm 31:5a

Call to Worship

(Based on KJV – Psalm 31:1, 5-13)

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

And has not shut me up into the hand of my enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.

For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.

My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Loving Father,

We come today, not only to worship and praise you,

But also to remember Your Son, Jesus Christ,

Who gave up his life for us.

Be present with us here today as we remember

This sad day and why it had to happen.

Help us to see the joy within the tragedy,

A life so willingly given, …

For me … for us … Amen!

Prayer of Confession

Forgiving Father,

On that Friday, oh so long ago,

Your Son asked you to forgive his killers,

Because “they know not what they do.”

As we stand here in our humanness

Not always knowing what we do,

We cannot possible understand the

Great love you had for those people, and

We do not understand the great love you have for us.

You allowed your Son to be put to death

In a cruel fashion, yet, we know it was because of

Your unceasing love for us.

Just like those soldiers, we have sinned

And fall short of your glory.

We aren’t always aware of where we fall short,

But we don’t mean to disappoint you.

You are our perfect God who wants nothing

But the love of Your children.

Through Your Son’s death we are assured of your love

And we ask for your unconditional forgiveness.

Lead us to your way. Guide us in our path.

Forgive us, we pray. AMEN!

Assurance of Pardon

(from Chalice Worship)

Our redeemer God, we bless you for meeting us in Jesus Christ,

Who for our salvation humbled himself to die for us.

We bless you for all the burdens Christ has borne,

For all the tears he has wept,

For all the pains he has suffered,

For every word of comfort he spoke on the cross,

For every conflict with the power of darkness,

And for his eternal victory over the terrors of death.

Lead us through the valley of the shadow of death,

That we may fear no evil, for you are eternally with us;

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Communion & Communion Prayer

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room and they ate a meal together. This began the tradition of the Lord’s Supper that we now observe every Sunday.

Paul wrote about Communion in 1 Corinthians 11:26. He said, “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”.

The meal that Jesus ate with His disciples on the night He was betrayed is known as the Passover meal.

When Passover was 1^st observed, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God sent Moses to confront Pharaoh, and to bring God’s people out of slavery.
Part of the way God “convinced” Pharaoh to release the Israelites, was through the 10 plagues.

The last of those plagues was the death of the firstborn of every household that did not have the blood of a spotless lamb painted on its doorposts.

The people of Israel were commanded to slaughter an innocent spotless lamb, paint its blood on their doorposts
- And eat the meal that would now be known as the “Passover”, because God told His people,
- That when He saw the blood of the lamb on their homes, He would pass over their homes, and death would not visit their families.
They were to eat the Passover meal dressed to leave the next day – BECAUSE on the next day they would leave the land of their slavery and enter into freedom.

Let us Pray:

Gracious and loving Heavenly Father. A lamb died on that first Passover so that the people of Israel would live. Our lamb (Jesus Christ) died so that we might live.

A lamb died so that the people of Israel would be freed from the fear of enslavement. Our Lamb (Jesus, the Lamb of God) died so that we might be freed from the slavery of our fear of death.

Thank you dear Lord, that, in communion, we receive the message of freedom from the grave.

Thank you that this message is not received only at Easter. Thank you that we receive this message every time we gather around this Table as believers.

Thank you for the message that: DEATH HAS BEEN CONQUERED! AMEN!

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Heavenly Father,

We give back but a portion of ourselves,

Wishing we could give so much more.

You have made many things out of nothing;

You fed thousands with a basket of bread and fish,

You made wine from mere water,

And You made Saul into Paul.

We have faith that you will magnify these morals.

Allow us to see Your perfect vision,

And to continue your work on Earth.

Gird us up to share with the world; that You sent YOUR Son as

THE ultimate offering and sacrifice.

That by accepting this truth, all would be forgiven

And spend eternity in your presence.

AMEN.

A Link to a Good Friday Liturgy of the Nails http://wp.me/p2rhxZ-25W

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers

Triumphal Entry/Palm Sunday: Narrative Lectionary Lenten Links of Prayer

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Invitation Build the Kin(g)dom to Rev. Jeanne Gay

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev. Jeanne Gay) appreciated.

Luke 19:29-44 and Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29

Call to Worship/Opening Prayer

Two voices & Bold for Congregation

“As you enter the village you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.”

We come following directions that we don’t always understand.

We come to welcome the Messiah.

As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.

We come as part of a parade, along with the rest of the motley crew.

We come to celebrate the Messiah.

The days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and they will hem you in on every side.

We come to be with Jesus in Jerusalem, all week long.

We come to walk with the Messiah.

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

We come trusting that the end of this week will bring resurrection!

We come to worship the Messiah!

Call to Confession

O Lord our God, we love the part about the parade. What fun that would have been, throwing palm branches and cloaks on the road to ease your way! But the reality is that our lives often don’t welcome you so well. Let us confess together …\

Prayer of Confession

We’d like to be the ones tossing the palm branches ahead of you to make ease your way, Jesus, but it feels like often we’re tossing obstacles instead: spiteful speech, angry actions, bitter thoughts. We’d like to think of ourselves as loving and peaceful, but too often we’re people who do not recognize the things that make for peace.

Help us join the parade, O Lord, even those of us who have been sitting like stones alongside the road. Help us be open to loving, eager to bring peace, excited to spread your joy.

Assurance of Pardon

O give thanks to the LORD, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”

The Lord’s steadfast love endures forever.
Thanks be to God, we are forgiven!

Communion Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right for us to give thanks and praise.

We give thanks to you and for you, O God,
you who opened the gates of creation,
treating us all to mountains and streams, flowers and fishes,
relatives and rhinoceroses, lilacs and loved ones.
You called us to sing your praises,
but too often we were like stubborn stones on the side of the road,
held captive by our worship of Sin and Death.

You sent prophets to beseech us to return to you,
but we preferred to follow our own inclinations
and satisfy the desires that the world told us were important.

And so you sent Jesus, your beloved son, to be one of us,
birthed into humanity in a corner stall,
paraded into town on a donkey.
You sent Jesus to teach us about the ways that lead to peace:
about the joy of loving our neighbor,
about the blessings of following you.

And so with those who cry hosanna
and those who cry mercy,
we sing our praises to you.

Option 1

Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest,
hosanna in the highest.

Option 2

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name
in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

We give you thanks for Jesus’ birth and life
and for his undeserved gift of ever-lasting love.
We thank you that he defeated Sin and Death on our behalf,
so that we can live with the assurance that our sins are forgiven,
and with sure hope in the life eternal.

We would turn our hearts to you, O Lord,
rejoicing in the good times, the bad times—
all the times of our lives—
as we come to you with our thanks and praise.

Dying, you destroyed our death;
rising, you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray,
that we may come to this Table with open hearts,
eager to receive your gifts of bread and cup—
the bread of heaven, the cup of salvation—
for our nourishment in your glory.

May we experience the gifts of this Table
as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet,
where all of your children—
praise singers and late-comers,
the overlooked, the underserved,
the too proud and the too humble—
where all your children
will join in crying Hosanna to you,
our God and our King.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
now and forever.

Amen.

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

You are the Great Giver, O Lord, and—created in your image—
we give with joy to you and to your church.
We give knowing that our gifts will not be as stones rejected
but cornerstones of your kingdom (kin-dom) on earth.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers

Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son: Narrative Lectionary Lenten Links of Prayer

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Invitation to be Found by Mike Williams

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Mike Williams) appreciated.

Luke 15:1-32 and Psalm 119:167-176 or Psalm 119:176

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 119:157-176)

The sum of God’s word is truth. The righteous ordinances of our God endure forever.

We rejoice in God’s word like those who find great spoil

We come together today to praise God and to find the peace granted to those who love God’s law.

We hope for the Lord’s salvation and love the Lord’s decrees.

In this time of worship let our supplication come before our Lord, who gives understanding from God’s word.

Let our lips pour forth praise and let us sing of God’s promise.

Let us live to praise our God and let God’s ordinances help us in our worship.

For we have gone astray like lost sheep, but the Lord has sought us out, and sent us God’s Son so that we might once more remember God’s commandments.

Prayer of Invocation

Holy Father of prodigal children everywhere, as we come into your presence today, we praise you for the assurance of your love. We thank you for gift of your Son who comes to us with stories of redemption and forgiveness. In this time of worship, pour out your Spirit upon us, that we may hear the promise of your grace. Fill us with compassion for your world. Help us to celebrate with those who come to life by finding you. Amen

Call to Confession

No matter how familiar we are with them, the stories of Jesus continually catch us off guard. Whether we think of ourselves as righteous, dutiful children, or as sheep who have gone astray, Christ reminds us of our continuous need for him. Let us now acknowledge our shortcomings, and remind ourselves of God’s grace, by praying together the prayer of confession…

Prayer of Confession

Great Shepherd, we come to you today recognizing that, like lost sheep, we have gone astray. You have given us your word and called us to live by your commandments. Yet, seeking greener pastures, we have squandered the riches you have given us and lived lives focused on ourselves. We have also failed to see the needs of others and refused to offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Remind us, O God, of the gift of your Son. Empower us with your grace, and call us to rejoice as sheep who have been returned to your fold. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Sisters and brothers, the promise of Gospel is that we have a shepherd who will never stop looking for us. Christ comes to us and brings us home once more, leading us into the presence of the God who loves us. Jesus assures us that grace is real. Indeed, he tells us “there is joy in the presence of God over one sinner who repents.” Know that you are forgiven and be at peace.

Passing of the Peace

The father of the prodigal son called everyone together to celebrate the return of the child he thought he had lost. In the same way, let us celebrate together the forgiveness we have received through the passing of the peace.

Communion Prayer:

Gracious God, like lost sheep we wander far from your love. We chase after things that do not satisfy and end up far from where you would have us be. We find ourselves spiritually dying from hunger. In your mercy, O God, you have not abandoned us to our own wills. Although we are not worthy to stand before you, you have sent your Son, the good shepherd, to pursue us and call us back to the fold. In this moment we ask you to pour out your Holy Spirit on these elements. Make this sacrament a foretaste of your heavenly kingdom where there is bread enough to spare. You are always with us and have given us everything. Let us now celebrate with you and all the angels of heaven as repentant sinners who once were lost, but now are found. This we ask, trusting in your precious name, Amen.

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Generous and giving God, you have reminded us of your prodigal love. You have bestowed upon us blessings beyond measure. We praise you for your kindness and for the chance to return a portion of that back into your service. Take what we have given and let it be a symbol of the compassion that you have for your world. Use it to fill those who have little, and guide those who are lost. Pour out your Holy Spirit on these tithes and offerings, so that your grace might be known throughout the world. Amen.

Prayer Station by Rev. Shea Zellweger

Psalm 119:167-176

167 I keep your rules;
I love them greatly.
168 I keep your precepts and rules,
for you are aware of everything I do.
169 Listen to my cry for help, O Lord!
Give me insight by your word!
170 Listen to my appeal for mercy!
Deliver me, as you promised.
171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing about your instructions,
for all your commands are just.
173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in your law.
175 May I live and praise you!
May your regulations help me!
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.

Guide:

Read the psalm once, and ponder it for a moment.

Place a cup in the sand.

Read the psalm a second time, this time paying special attention to verse 171.

Pour water from the pitcher into the cup as you say (aloud or silently) “May praise flow freely from my lips.” Just as freely flowing water quickly fills the cup, so freely flowing praise can quickly fill our lives.

Read the psalm a third time as a song of praise.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers

Lament Over Jerusalem: Narrative Lectionary Lent Links of Prayer

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Invitation to Gather by Rev. Courtney D. Arntzen

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Courtney D. Arntzen) appreciated.

Luke 9:1-9, 31-35 and Psalm 122 or Psalm 122:1

Call to Worship

Voice 1: Come

Voice 2: Come stay

Voice 1: Come stay near

Voice 2: Come stay near me

Voice 1: My wings

Voice 2: My wings are broad

Voice 1: My wings are broad enough to keep you

Voice 2: Gather here.

Voice 1: Gather and hear.

Voice 2: There is room for you.

Voice 1: Just as you are

Voice 2: Gather and hear.

Voice 1: Gather here.

Call to Confession
The Pharisees come warning Jesus, “Get out of here! Herod wants to kill you.”
Jesus responds, “Not today! Today I have lives to heal and people to release. Today I will tell people again that I am the lifesaver.” Let us pray:

Prayer of Confession

Faithful God, You presented the law to release us from slavery,

and we turn it into a rulebook dictating who is in and who is out.

You provide the prophets with messages of life for all

and we mock their words, abusing their message for our benefit.

Through Jesus you fulfill the release from capture and we choose enslavement. Through Jesus you fulfill the message of life for all and we abuse the message. Over and over we ignore the call to pay attention.(Wake us up!) Over and over again you call us to yourself, longing to gather us, protect us, and save us by your life. (Wake us up!) You call us to life, and we wander aimlessly in the path of death. (Wake us up!) Hear us now as we confess our wandering ways (Silent Confession)…Amen

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus says, unless you turn to me, you will die. He then describes himself as a sacrificial hen that longs to protect her chicks from the sly fox.

This is the good news: Jesus wings are always spread

There is room, enough room

For you.

For you all.

Turn toward Jesus, nestle under the wings of Jesus, receive the grace and peace that comes alone from him. In the safety of Jesus’ embrace, let us be sent out to share the news that there is room enough for all.

Offertory Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Receive these offerings as an expression of our desire to place our lives again in your hands. Multiply these gifts for the expansion of your life saving message to be shared through this community faith, both here and far beyond. In Jesus name and in expectation of his return, we pray. Amen

Communion Prayer

Gracious God, we praise you for your handiwork in creation, the wonders of the mighty mountains and the stillness of the silent snowfall. We praise you for wooing us into your fold through the life-work and life-saving ministry of Jesus. We are reminded that a mother hen may extend her wings to hold and protect her young. On the cross we remember Jesus’ arms extended, that we might come to him as we come to this table and receive all that is offered. You held nothing back on our behalf, may we hold nothing back as we come. Let us bring our full selves to the table where we receive once again your fullness.

Prayer Station by Rev. Shea Zellweger

Psalm 122

1 I was glad because they said to me,
“We will go to the Lord’s temple.”
2 Our feet are standing
inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem – built as a city bound firmly together.
4 The tribes go up there,
the tribes of the Lord,
where it is required that Israel
give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 Indeed, the leaders sit there on thrones and make legal decisions,
on the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love her prosper!
7 May there be peace inside your defenses,
and prosperity inside your fortresses!
8 For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors
I will say, “May there be peace in you!”
9 For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God
I will pray for you to prosper.

Guide:

Read the psalm once, and ponder it for a moment.

Pick up several sticks (at least 3) and hold them.

Read the psalm a second time, this time paying special attention to verse 3.

Using a piece of twine, tie your sticks so that they are “bound firmly together” Place your bound sticks upright in the sand. Remember that God has called the church to be bound together, and that we are the temple of the Lord

Read the psalm a third time as a prayer of thanksgiving.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers