Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Blessing
Adapted from Ephesians 1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as children
through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,
which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
making known to us the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance
to the praise of his glory.
Selections from Ephesians 1:3-14 (adapted with minor wording changes from ESV)
You Call, based on Isaiah 55
Holy One of Israel, of all
Your love is unfailing, steadfast, sure
You call
Your mouth opens wide
Your hand opens wide
Your storehouse opens wide
Your heart opens wide
You call
Come, Listen, Receive
We’re listening
We’re open
We need your gift of life
Holy One make us alive
You Call © 2021 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Praise to God, immortal praise.
For the love that crowns our days;
Bounteous Source of every joy.
Let your praise our tongues employ.
All to you, our God, we owe,
Source whence all our blessings flow.
As your prospering hand has blessed,
May we give you of our best
And by deeds of kindly love
For your mercies grateful prove,
Singing thus through all our days
Praise to God, immortal praise. Amen.
Anna L. Barbauld, Adapted
Almighty God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
We ask Your blessing on the people in this place.
May the despairing find hope—and proud be humbled.
May the doubting find faith—and the anxious be encouraged.
May the tempted find help—and the sorrowful find comfort.
May the weary find rest—and the strong be renewed.
May the lonely find a friend—and the cluttered find stillness.
May the older one find consolation—and the younger be inspired.
And may You find glory in our worship—and we find joy in You.
Now, Lord: pour out Your Spirit of grace and love today
as we together we worship You – this we pray
to Your glory … and in your name. Amen.
Generous God our Father – who gives us all good gifts:
Gifts of life, love and, relationships;
gifts of work and leisure, effort and rest;
and, most of all, gifts of Your Son and our salvation,
your Spirit’s presence and power.
You do all things well.
By your love and strength you work
all things together for the good of those
who love you and hear you call our names.
You are good and you are strong.
You are holy and you are loving.
However, we’re but a slight reflection of you;
and sometimes more a shadow than an image of you.
While your goodness seeks to bless others—
ours is on a constant quest to bless ourselves.
While your strength strives to create life and hope—
ours is, too often, the source of destruction to both.
We are neither holy nor loving—
except in that we wholly love ourselves
rather than wholly loving you and others.
Forgive us for what in us obscures your image
rather than displays it so that all can know you through us.
Forgive also what we now confess quietly in the silence,
too embarrassed to confess them aloud before one another.
(Silence) … AMEN.
Inspired by Ephesians 3
Heavenly Father,
All who gather here are your creation. You have called us forth into a world you have made and you continue to guide us all by your providence. As creatures, how can we begin to know you or think that we could approach your throne? Yet we are reminded by the word of your Spirit and the work of your Son, that we are your beloved people. May such good news find residence deep in our hearts as Christ makes his home in us. Give us the strength to comprehend, with all the saints, the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ. Every day we could grow in our understanding and never reach the end of your expansive love. Fill us with your presence that we may carry your blessings into your world.
Through Christ we pray, amen.
Casey Clark