Opening Prayers/Prayers of Adoration on Joy
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.
God our Father, Savior and Sustainer—
You are the God who knows our name,
and the God who revealed Your name as “I Am Who I Am”
and shows us Your face in the face of Jesus.
You are known to us … and we are known to You.
You know what brings us joy,
what makes us laugh,
what we celebrate and are most grateful for—
the birth of a child,
the healing of a loved one,
the restoration of a relationship,
a new job,
a wedding anniversary …
and You rejoice with us.
Father – God of Joy and Hope;
Wonderful Lord and Spirit of delight and wonder:
You invite us to come to you with thanksgiving and joy,
laughter and quiet awe.
Your arms of welcome are out wide.
So we come, not perfect and not even very spiritual –
just as we are: Yours, spilling our hearts before You.
Lord Jesus, you are worthy of our gaze in every moment of this earthly race, this good fight for your glory. Keep our eyes fixed on you until our last days, when we are poured out as a final, joyful offering to you.