Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Grace
O God, we thank you that you have not treated us as we deserve.
We thank you that, though you are Creator, Judge and King, you are also Father, so that, though we are wandering children, there is always a road back to our Father’s house.
You have spoken to us,
In the voice of conscience,
In the words of your Book,
In the promptings of your Holy Spirit,
And yet we have not obeyed your voice
You have shown us the best,
In the ideals which still haunt us,
In the life and example of Godly men [and women]
In the pattern of Jesus,
And yet we have not followed it.
You have tried to teach us,
In the events of history,
In the experiences of life,
Those who sing and those who make music,
So that their work may not be a performance but an act of worship.
Those whose duty is to administer the affairs of the Church,
That they may faithfully, wisely, and lovingly
Care for the things of your house and your household.
Those whose task it is to keep clean and fresh and tidy the church and its premises,
That they may find joy even in the common tasks;
And make others thoughtful enough not to make the work of all such harder than it need be.
All who come to worship and to learn each Sunday,
And to be happy in fellowship in the days of the week;
And grant that every congregation of Christian people may be a place where people find each other and find you.
All this we ask for your love’s sake. Amen.
William Barclay, Prayers for the Christian Year, Harper Chapel Books, 1965
Opening Prayer for Reformation Sunday
Heavenly Father, thank you for a spiritual home
For the legacy of those who have gone before us and welcomed us
Lord Jesus, thank you for your church
For the legacy of your word and witness across the world
Holy Spirit, thank you for renewing your church in every age
Unify us and renew us
We long to be true to you and your ways
Reform us now
Make us courageous and steadfast and persevering
in sharing your grace and Good News
in living your merciful, transforming love
in the building of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven
Inspire us and defend us and send us out again, Holy One
For the honor and glory of your name alone, Amen
Reformation Day is celebrated annually on October 31. Some congregations choose to acknowledge this day on the Sunday closest to October 31.
Opening Prayer for Reformation Sunday © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
God of the Impossible – Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
There’s nothing too hard for you to do,
Nothing too complex for You to understand,
No place we go that You’re not there,
No sin too heinous that You’ll not forgive,
And no time when You cease to love Your own.
You amaze us with Your power and creativity;
You overwhelm us with Your grace and love.
Thank You!
Thank You for inviting us to come as we are, not as we aren’t;
upheld by your compassion and grace
so we can freely confess to you our sin,
duplicity and self-absorption.
In the quiet, Lord, now hear our whispered confessions
of what we’re too ashamed to say aloud to anyone but You,
for You know us intimately – and still loves us immensely.
Wondrous God
Father-Son-Spirit
Your joy is our strength
Nothing more
Nothing less
Nothing else
Grant us grace to receive you and your joy
Grant us grace to trust it above all other powers and plans
Grant us grace to bear it and share it as generously as you
For the honor is yours
The majesty is yours
and Your kingdom is at hand
Amen
Your Joy is Our Strength © 2019 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Faithful God, our Father, Lord and Counselor:
By your grace you know our names before we are even born.
By your grace you call us your own sons and daughters.
By your grace you give us an eternal purpose. And,
By your grace give us everything necessary to fulfill that calling:
Your very own self before us, beside us, inside us, with us.
You invite us to open our hearts to your love and power;
And so we do.
God of grace who knows us intimately and wholly;
Who listens intently and persistently: We praise You.
You hear the prayers of our lips and our hearts.
You know our innermost thoughts and intentions.
And when we can’t pray, you even pray perfectly for us.
We’re amazed how well you know us and still love us,
that you want us to know you and want us near you.
Would that we should be so loving and gracious – with ourselves and others.
So wanting to be more like you and your Son, Jesus, we come acknowledging our sin, seeking your cleansing and forgiveness, as together we confess our sins saying …
No Record of Wrongs, an opening prayer
Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:5 NRSV
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
We keep to-do lists so we don’t forget
We check them twice
We carry them in our pockets
Holding on to the pain
The disappointment
The failure
Re-viewing the wrong
Point by point by point
Plotting revenge on ourselves and others
We carry them
They keep us cross
Wounded and bleeding
Divided and dying
You take our lists
Crossing out
Crossing off
Nailing them to your tree
Burying them in a blaze of love
So we may rise free
You keep no record of wrong
Instead, you write our names on your palm
A life list on your lifeline
A love list by your scar
Hallelujah
Time of silent prayer
No Record of Wrongs © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Prayer: You Are Near
Inspired by Matthew 1:18-25
Holy Comforter,
You are near when my dream dies.
You are near the brokenhearted.
Thanks be to you for a new dream and a future beyond my imagining.
Maker of Miracle,
You are near when I cannot see your will.
When a good choice, even a merciful choice, is not your choice.
Thanks be to you for correction and clarity.
Divine One,
You are near when I dismiss the holy.
When I say no to your call.
Thanks be to you for your patience, your persevering grace, and second chances.
O come, O come Emmanuel,
strengthen me with the promise of your steadfast presence and saving love,
set my heart and step to your righteousness end. Amen
*************
You are near © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Wilderness Prayer
Inspired by Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16
God of the Ages
Our Deliverer and Provider
We bow in humility before your grace
You feed us with the divine
Your word
Your body
You quench our thirst with living water
A stream in the desert
You guide our feet through snares and snakes
You free us from slavery to sin and self and shame and death
You lead us the long way to holiness and home
Grow in us wholehearted allegiance
that our blessing and devotion may never waver
that we may always recognize and trust your desire to do us good
Amen
Wilderness Prayer © 2017 by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com