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PRAYERS AND READINGS FOR THE WEEK Prayers for Worship Advent3 December 14th 2008 Prayer of approach and confession “Our spirits rejoice together in God our Saviour!” Lord, we gather together to proclaim your greatness that all may hear. We come to enjoy your presence as our God and Saviour. We are overwhelmed by your grace shown so freely and fully to us your humble servants. We join with your people all over the world who know the blessing of God. Lord, you have done so many wonderful things for us. Holy is your name! “Our spirits rejoice together in God our Saviour!” Lord, we are amazed by your mercy on all who respect you in every age. We are astonished by your strength in supporting all who call upon your name. We are delighted when we see you scattering proud and conceited people. Grant that we might not be like that; Forgive us when we are and cleanse us of sin. Renew our faith that in true penitence we might seek to be more faithful and true. “Our spirits rejoice together in God our Saviour!” Lord, you lift up the lowly and bring down the mighty. You fill the hungry with good things when they turn to you for help. Yet so often you disappoint the over-rich in their cravings for yet more. Please come to the help of your people, the body of Christ our King. Remember your merciful promises made to our forebears in faith. Help us now to gather together our prayers as the family of God in this place..... OUR FATHER.... Thanksgiving Extempore Prayer of Dedication Gracious Lord, every good and perfect gift comes from you. We dedicate to your service all that we have and are. And we pray that our offerings of time, talents, and money. May be pleasing to you, for the glory of your name, and the good of your people; Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. READINGS Isaiah 61:1-11 John 1:1-14 Prayers for Worship Bible Sunday December 7th 2008 Prayer of approach and confession “Show us your mercy o Lord, and grant us your salvation!” Dear Lord, you have been so gracious to us so often And we are grateful for your amazing grace, full and free. We have gone through hard times and known your sustaining strength. You have restored our fortunes and given us hope instead of despair. Above all you have forgiven the sins of those who turn to you in penitence and faith. You have cleansed us and wiped the offensive slate clean. Help us to receive that cleansing afresh today and to hear your words of peace. “Show us your mercy o Lord, and grant us your salvation!” Dear Lord, your salvation is very near to those who respect you. You long that your glory might be seen in this land and all over the world. In you mercy and truth meet, righteousness and peace come wonderfully together. Thank you for Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thank you that in him truth and righteousness are earthed. Thank you that in his glorious life your character blazes from heaven on all people. “Show us your mercy o Lord, and grant us your salvation!” Dear Lord, who is the Spirit, we bow in wonder before the wisdom of your word. We give thanks for the inspiration through which scripture has been written. We give thanks for real people whom you chose to be channels of your revelation. We wonder at the heavenly and the earthly brought together as in the life of Jesus. Hear us as we praise you for the Bible, those who transmitted the text, and its translators. We pray today for every place where your word is read aloud and heard. We pray for every faithful preacher of your word and all who hear its proclamation. “Show us your mercy o Lord, and grant us your salvation!” For we ask this in Jesus’ name, who taught us to pray together as God’s family..... OUR FATHER.... Thanksgiving Extempore Prayer of Dedication Gracious Lord, every good and perfect gift comes from you. We dedicate to your service all that we have and are. And we pray that our offerings of time, talents, and money May be pleasing to you, for the glory of your name, and the good of your people; Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. READINGS Isaiah 40:1-11 Mark 1:1-8 Prayers for Worship November 30th 2008 - Advent 1 Prayer of approach and confession “Restore us, Lord, as we humble ourselves, pray to you and turn from sin.” Good Shepherd, you lead us like a flock of sheep that easily goes astray. Send forth your light and truth to guide us and all your people everywhere. May your strength fill us with power to do lasting good. May you help us as a friend gets alongside his companion on the way. May we be humbled by your greatness, and uplifted by your support. Do not be angry and reject our prayers, but draw near as we come to your throne of grace. “Restore us, Lord, as we humble ourselves, pray to you and turn from sin.” Gracious Saviour, you have come to us in our time of need as we cry for help. Our tears have been turned to prayer despite the derision of those who never pray. Come in your saving power and transform us that we might live to your glory and praise. Teach us to pray as you taught your disciples, and show us the way of true penitence. Forgive us our many sins as we turn to you and away from wickedness. Strengthen our resolve to be more faithful in future, for your name’s sake. “Restore us, Lord, as we humble ourselves, pray to you and turn from sin.” Glorious Spirit, we rejoice in your friendship along the paths of life. Come upon us in mercy and grace that we might serve the Lord in spirit and truth. Grant that we may never turn away from you. Give us fullness of life that we may always sincerely call upon your name. Bless us together with all your faithful people in this world and the world yet to come. Be with us now as we gather all our thoughts and prayers in Jesus’ words: OUR FATHER.... Thanksgiving Extempore Prayer of Dedication Yours, Lord, is the kingdom: you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come for you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. Use us and all we have and are, For your glory and our good. In Jesus’ name, Amen. READINGS Isaiah 64:1-9 Mark 13:24-37 Prayers for Worship Remembrance November 9th 2008 Prayer of approach and confession “We will remember the wonderful works of the Lord” Dear Lord, we come together in worship because of all the wonderful things you have done in time and in eternity. We are awestruck when we look out at your creation and contemplate its vastness and minute detail. We see your touch in the tiniest plant or insect. We marvel at your power when we gaze into the night sky. We realise how small and insignificant we all are, yet you love each one of us. You have made us for yourself and put the things of eternity into our feeble hearts. For this we give you thanks and praise. Hear us as we gather in Jesus’ name to meet with our God as you have promised. Dear Lord, we worship you for your teaching in parables through which you have declared ancient mysteries in stories that we can understand. Our forefathers passed them down to us that we might learn the lessons of history, and yet we continue to make the same mistakes. We remember with sorrow all lives that have been senselessly lost in times of war, recognising that war is never an answer and always a tragedy. Forgive us for nursing grievances in our hearts and cutting ourselves off from others. Forgive us the arrogance that leads to damaging relationships. Grant to us the spirit of reconciliation. Cleanse us of all sin and renew within us right attitudes and the Spirit of holiness. Dear Lord, may generations yet to come put their trust in you, not forget your mighty works but keep your commandments. Begin with us, that our children and descendents may live in the love that can never let us go. May your Spirit touch each of our lives this Remembrance Day and help us to give thanks for those who sacrificed everything for the common good. Inspire us above all with the knowledge that Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice on the cross, and that greater love has no-one than that he lay down his life for his friends. Grant that in response we in turn may offer up our lives as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to you our God. OUR FATHER.... Thanksgiving Extempore Prayer of Dedication Take our lives and let them be consecrated, glad, and free. Take our moments and our days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take our love – our Lord, we pour At your feet its treasure store; Take ourselves and we will be All for you, eternally. For the glory of our God And the good of his people; World without end Amen. READINGS 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 |