Good morning.
Today is Sunday,
November 22,
2020.
Oh Lord,
Let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to God,
The three in one,
Creator,
Redeemer,
And sustainer,
As it was in the beginning,
Is now,
And will be forever.
Amen.
And let us sing to the Lord.
Let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
Remind yourself that you are in God's presence.
Notice how God may be speaking to you today.
Let yourself dwell on a word or a phrase that jumps out at you and let your heart respond to God in prayer.
Please repeat these words.
Hide us,
Your anxious children,
Under the shadow of your wing.
Psalm 100.
Acclaim the Lord with joy all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Enter into God's presence with a joyful song.
Know that the Lord is God.
The Lord made us and we belong to the creator.
We are God's people and the sheep of God's pasture.
Enter God's gates with thanksgiving and God's courts with praise.
Give thanks to God.
Bless God's holy name.
For the Lord is good.
God's steadfast love endures forever in God's faithfulness to all generations.
Please repeat these words.
Hide us,
Your anxious children,
Under the shadow of your wing.
Now let us pray for each other.
Gracious Lord,
With faces touched by the light of a new day and hearts warmed by prayer and praise,
We come before you to pray for the needs of our world.
Lord send your spirit full of comfort.
For those who are sick,
We pray that your healing would quickly appear.
For those at elevated risk of illness,
We pray your wisdom and protection.
We pray for healthcare workers who push through exhaustion and put themselves at risk to care for our bodies.
We pray for therapists who listen and encourage us in building healthy patterns.
We pray for teachers,
Those who work to deepen our children's capacities and curiosities.
We pray for essential workers,
Those who tend our utilities,
Roads,
Water,
Electricity and waste,
Work often overlooked but crucial.
We pray for all those who work in food production,
Farmers and grocers,
Cooks and restaurant workers.
We are grateful for the life we receive from them.
We pray for government leaders,
Local,
State and national officials who are making critical decisions in uncertain times.
For the poor and the lonely and those feeling so constrained,
We pray that you would provide resources and connection in community.
For those struggling with uncertainty,
We pray for your persistent presence.
And for all of us who are afraid,
We seek your strong shalom.
Lord,
Send your spirit full of comfort.
Amen.
We pray together in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray.
Our Father which art in heaven,
Eternal God,
Earth Maker,
Pain bearer,
Life giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Not only Father but Mother of us all,
May the hallowing of your name echo through the universe.
May the way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world.
May your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
May your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another,
Forgive us.
In times of temptation and test,
Strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure,
Spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil,
Free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
Now and forever.
Amen.
And now my friends,
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you wherever he may send you today.
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.
Go in peace.
