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 109:26-31
Help me, Lord my God;
save me according to your unfailing love.
Let them know that it is your hand,
that you, Lord, have done it.
While they curse, may you bless;
may those who attack me be put to shame,
but may your servant rejoice.
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace
and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
New Testament Reading
Philippians 4:1-7
So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Pause for reflection
Prayer of Confession
Here in this place,
we know the freedom to sing your praise
while we also ask: How long, O Lord?
How long before we see your justice?
How long before we see your creation restored?
How long O Lord?
Even as we ask these questions,
we acknowledge our complicity
in all that ails our world.
We acknowledge that often
we do not play our part in sharing love,
in holding out peace.
The things we do too often differentiate
and discriminate and make your kingdom less.
So, Lord, hear our confession,
hear our cry for forgiveness and our pledge,
with your help, to do better.
And then help us who know
we can count on your love
and your forgiveness
to go and make a difference.
To use what you reveal to us here
to restore creation
according to your will.
Prayers of Intercession
Today, we are praying for Canada and United States of America.
We are thankful for:
- the vast expanse of North America with its resources and varied landscapes; may they be preserved, enjoyed and used wisely
- those who are its original inhabitants – First Nations and Native Americans
- church-related organizations that strongly advocate for justice, and those that provide for new immigrants and refugees today, as well as for others who are poor and vulnerable
- ecumenical and interfaith engagements which are occurring in many communities that previously were mainly white and Christian.
We pray for:
- churches facing new challenges, that they may continue to witness boldly to the gospel in evolving multicultural, multireligious and secular contexts
- indigenous peoples in their long struggles for survival, land and rights; and for ongoing healing and reconciliation with those who have come after them
- new immigrants, that they will continue to be welcomed in these countries, and that policies will serve the common good
- effectively countering systemic greed that exploits communities and natural resources
- government leaders that they would advance justice, human rights, and peace for all within these countries and in the rest of the world.
Prayer: Breath of the Four Winds
Come from the four winds, O Breath,
And breathe upon these slain, that they may live. (Ezekiel 37:9)
Come from the South, O Breath,
blow your life-giving promise of hope
to our sisters in ponchos, Mothers of the Disappeared, political prisoners and exiles.
Come from the South and breathe justice that they may live.
Come from the North, O Breath,
blow your Word, in Spirit and truth,
to our brothers and sisters who have lost their languages in residential schools.
Come from the North and speak freely, so there may be healing.
Come from the East, O Breath,
blow your message of peace
to children in countries shattered by war and division.
Come from the East with morning’s promise of a new day.
Come from the West, O Breath,
blow in the tongues of fire in the sky at the setting of the sun.
We are your church, kindled in your Spirit, fired in the mystery of your coming.
Come from the West and pray in us, Holy Spirit, our ending and our beginning.
– Wendy MacLean, United Church of Canada
In our own place in the world, we pray for:
- all whose decisions involve questions of justice, mercy and peace
- federal, state and local politicians
- church leaders, ministers, pastors, teachers, and missionaries
- 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 personal needs, challenges and opportunities
Pause for reflection
Classic Prayer
Lord of peace, Lord of joy!
Your countenance makes my heart glad.
Lord of glory, Lord of mercy, Lord of strength,
Lord of life, and of power over death,
You are Lord of lords and King of kings.
In the world there are lords many,
but to us there is but one God and Father, of whom are all things;
and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things:
to whom be all glory, who is worthy! Amen.
Contemporary Prayer
In my life Lord, give me a peace that passes all understanding. Though I don’t know what will happen with all that troubles me this day, help me to trust you. Help me to remember that you are not surprised.
Help me to remember that nothing will happen today that takes you off guard. You are not asleep or too busy but are actively involved in all the cares of my life. Help me to wait and watch for your glory.
Help me to obey and do the right thing in the moment, knowing you are there in all the moments to come. 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).
– Gungahlin Uniting Church, Prayers of adoration and confession, https://www.gungahlinuniting.org/?p=5917
Image source: Knox Presbyterian Church, Toronto.
iDigress 