Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Gratitude
O Merciful God, who came in Jesus Christ with saving power to a world that walked in darkness and in the shadow of death, we praise and bless you for all those your servants who helped prepare the way for his appearing, and for those who received him and grave to him the worship of their hearts and lives.
For prophets who in the face of tyranny declared your truth and your righteousness, for psalmists who in days of gloom still believed in your great goodness and sang praises unto your name, and for innumerable regular saints who waited in patience and unfailing hope for the manifestation of your glory, we raise to you our grateful praise.
Grant, we ask you, that we in this time may show forth your salvation. Help us to put away all untruthfulness and all selfishness and greed, all malice and prejudice and cowardice. Let your Holy Spirit cleanse us from all our sins, and teach us to love one another even as you dost love us, that we may make manifest in our lives what you can do for your faithful people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ernest Fremont Tittle, Language modernized by Stuart Strachan Jr.
Father – Your love is faithful through all generations
Jesus – Your grace is extends from eternity into eternity.
Spirit – Your presence knows no boundary or barrier.
For that we praise you, Triune Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
As the Giver of all good gifts – there’s nothing we have or experience that does not come from your hand and without your consent … and all your gifts are good.
Yet, we’re not such good receivers of your gifts.
We complain when we don’t get what we want,
when we want it because we want it;
And when we do – we ask for more,
forgetting to say “thank you” and to live gratefully.
You give us more than we need – and we keep it to ourselves,
rather than sharing it with others
… or returning a portion to You in gratitude.
And that’s just the beginning of where we fall short.
So in the silence of these moments, hear the prayers we’re too ashamed to say aloud as we confess our sin to you. (Pause)