Invocation
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Good morning, heavenly Father.
We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Good morning, Lord Jesus.
We worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world.
Good morning, Holy Spirit.
We worship you, sanctifier of the people of God.
Opening sentences
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.
Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Declaration of faith
To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that You are the Holy One of God.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory.
Hebrew Bible reading
Psalm 69:1-3, 16-18
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God…
Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
New Testament Reading
2 Corinthians 2:1-4
In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.
Pause for reflection
Prayer of Confession
Creator God, we confess our faith: you have lived among us in the human, Jesus Christ, who reveals you to us as one “full of grace and truth.” For this we are infinitely grateful.
But we also confess our condition: None of us is like him. Although you made us in your likeness, call us to “follow him,”—and we try to do so—we are not “full of grace and truth.”
Truthful God, we confess that often we are afraid to see or speak truth. We confess that sometimes we fool ourselves, convincing ourselves that we can speak the truth. We confess that sometimes we are confused and unable to see or speak truth.
We confess that at our best we see truth only partly, from our particular perspectives. We see it more clearly when we look back than when we look forward. We do not see with your eyes or speak with your voice. We are not full of grace and truth.
Thank you for truth spoken, however belatedly. And reveal to us where we have not seen and spoken rightly. Keep us from arrogantly believing that we have now finally got it right. Through our attempts to speak truth, and perhaps even in spite of them, we beg you to heal us through the power of your Spirit.
And, dear God, remind us that while we must make judgements about right and wrong, you are the only just and wise judge—full of truth and grace. We gratefully leave to you the responsibility and right to finally judge us all. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Today, we are praying for Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
We are thankful for:
- individuals, churches and other organizations who remain committed to seeking healing, justice and truth
- the furthering of human rights and democratic institutions
- the ways in which those of different faiths and ethnicities are working together for the common good and for the needs of people and creation
- how churches, from out of what people are experiencing, have led global ecumenical work for an economy that serves life.
We pray for:
- greater respect for Indigenous people and greater acceptance of all peoples across bounds of ethnicity and religion
- The protection of children from violence and abuse, and recognition of their rights and dignity
- effective help and empowerment for those who live in poverty and other marginalizing situations
- those who protect and care for the region’s threatened soil, forests, waters, glaciers
- truth and justice in continuing investigations to find those responsible for crimes against humanity, and continued healing for those affected
- economic development that benefits all and effectively addresses the systemic factors that impede it.
We pray for:
- world leaders, and justice and peace for our world
- our federal, state and local politicians
- our senior church leaders, ministers, pastors, teachers, and missionaries
- our denomination, ministers, staff and volunteers
- all the churches of our city or region
- our local congregation and its ministries
- our local communities, businesses, and schools
- the needs of our families and friends
- our own personal needs, challenges and opportunities.
Pause for reflection
Classic Prayer
Make my body healthy and agile,
my mind sharp and clear,
my heart joyful and contented,
my soul faithful and loving. . . .
Above all let me live in Your presence,
for with You all fear is banished
and there is only harmony and peace.
Let every day combine the beauty of spring,
the brightness of summer,
the abundance of autumn,
and the repose of winter.
And at the end of my life on earth,
grant that I may come to see
and know You in the fullness of Your glory. Amen.
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)
Contemporary Prayer
Giver of every good gift, offering you the firstfruits of what I make and produce is a good spiritual discipline that helps my heart wriggle free from the grip of my possessions and rest content. Keep me in that freedom, a radically generous life that joyfully furthers the good of your kingdom. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13, NIV
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.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Pause for reflection
Sending Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray
that we may live this day in your presence
and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, we pray that this day
we may take up our cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, we pray that this day
you will fill us with yourself
and cause your fruit to ripen in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity,
three persons in one God,
have mercy upon us. Amen.
Canticle
Christ, as a light, illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield, overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sources:
– John Stott, quoted in Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott (Downers Grove: IVP, 2010).
– Northumbria Community Trust, Celtic Daily Prayer (London: HarperCollins, 2015), https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/morning-prayer/
– Philip F. Reinders, Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible Through the Year (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013), https://seekinggodsface.org
– World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle
– “Prayers of Confession/Prayers of who we are,” https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=400
– Arthur Bennett (ed.), The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975).
– Trevin Wax, Psalms in 30 Days (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2021).
– Jeanie Gushee & David P. Gushee, A Morning and Evening Prayerbook (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012).
– Prayer at the AMBS Service of Lament, Confession, and Commitment, March 22, 2015, https://ambs.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/March22-Prayer.pdf
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