Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on being a Child of God
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Christ no South or North;
But one great family of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden chord
Close-binding humankind. Amen.
Join hands, then, people of the faith,
whatever your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are joined as one
throughout the whole wide earth.
John Oxenham, Adapted
(Prayer of Adoration)
Lord—you’re sufficient in everything.
You can create without us; save without our assistance;
bring good out of evil, hope from despair and restore what
we mess up. You’re sovereign and we’re not.
Yet, and this boggles my mind –
You invite us to join with You as partners in Your work! You first make us joint heirs with Jesus
and then co-laborers in Your kingdom.
Imagine that – we’re privileged to make a difference
in Your world, in your church
and in the lives of people you love so much
you gave your Son for them.
It can’t get much better than that! …
(Prayer of Confession)
But, Father – we confess we’re not satisfied.
You invite us to serve you and to serve with you –
and we want to be served by you and others.
You honor us as your children – calling us by name in love;
and we use your name flippantly and loosely.
You empower us to be your followers –
but we use power for ourselves, pushing You aside.
You give us your wisdom in Scripture and by Your Spirit –
and we think we know better
how to run our lives and your world.
Forgive us! Forgive our foolish arrogance and pride.
Forgive us for taking your gifts intended for others
and using them for ourselves.
Forgive us for forgetting who we are
and whose we are as Christian people.
Forgive the selfishness of our hearts
and the selfishness of our actions.
Forgive it all, and more – and make us more like Jesus
in our thinking, our feeling, our speaking and in our acting.
Please, Lord Jesus; in whose name we pray—AMEN.
(Assurance of Pardon)
As the apostle announced – The mystery of godliness is great: The Son of God appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world and taken up into glory—all for our salvation. For this is a trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, like you & me. Dear Friends – because that’s true: by His grace active through your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, I declare w/ confidence you’re forgiven and free of all your sins. Alleluia! Amen.
from whom all families gain purpose, direction and life:
When we need bread, you don’t give a stone;
and when we ask for fish, you don’t give a snake;
for you are good, you are strong and you are loving.
As your children we come to you asking, seeking
and knocking and you respond:
“Come, child – and open your heart.”
Living God, Holy Inferno
Living God
Holy Inferno
Who revealed yourself as
Burning Bush
Pillar of Flame
Dancing Tongues of Fire
Illumine your children, so we may know your will
Refine your children, till our souls burn to do your will
Purify your children, so we may endure to the day of your coming.
We ask this in the name of the One who is Perfect Light, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
Living God, Holy Inferno © 2012 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com