Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Guidance

Inspired by Psalm 23

Father, we come to express our appreciation for you as our great Shepherd. We are your sheep whom you know by name. Accept now the praise we as your flock offer in your presence.

We thank you sincerely for your personal shep­herding care. You have led us through green pastures and by still waters in the paths of righteousness. You have restored our soul in times of need, and comforted us with your rod and staff. You have not deserted us in times of danger—even in the valley of the shadow of death. You continually remain with us as our lov­ing Shepherd when we drive on the highway, when we work at our jobs, when we relax at home, when we study in the classroom, and even when we travel out of town. How we appreciate your constant shep­herding care. Thank you for reaching out when we wander from the path because of temptations, doubts, and discouragements.

Our hearts are full of thanksgiving as we worship through Christ our Chief Shepherd, the Great Shep­herd of the sheep. Amen.

Paul Engle, Baker’s Worship Handbook: Traditional and Contemporary Service Resources, 1998.

Inspired by John 14:6

Jesus –  Savior, Friend, and Lord: 

When we’re lost, confused and anxious – You are our Way. 

When we misunderstand – and are misunderstood,  

when we are lied to and lied about,  

and when we lie or believe the lies – You are the Truth. 

And when we feel drained of vitality,  

or afraid of death and dying –  

You are our Resurrection  and the Life. 

You guide us,  

speak to us the Truth in love  

and You give us hope … always. 

For that we praise You, now and forever. 

And because of that, we come to You 

with all we are and aren’t, 

knowing You’ll help us, and those we care about. 

Richard Herman

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

O God, our Guide and Guardian,

You have led us apart from the busy world into the quiet of your house.

Grant us grace to worship you in Spirit and in truth,

To the comfort of our souls

and the upbuilding of every good purpose and holy desire.

Enable us to do more perfectly the work to which you have called us, 

That we may not fear the coming of night, 

when we shall resign into your hands

the tasks which you have committed to us. 

So that worship not with our lips at this hour,

but in word and deed all the days of our lives;

Through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Book of Worship, 1965

 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