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Holy Spirit, lift these words from the pages of scripture like the aroma of freshly baked bread. Help us to hunger for these words, to be fed by your grace, and to share what you offer with all of your children on this earth. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
We exalt you, O God our Sovereign,
and we bless your name forever and ever.
Every day proclaims your blessing,
and lifetime after lifetime sings praise to your name.
To you, whose greatness never ends,
we lift these prayers for your beloved people.
We pray for children and generations yet to come,
that they may know and praise your works with joy.
We pray for elders who ponder your glorious splendor,
that they may rejoice in your marvelous works.
We pray for those who have little to depend on except your might,
that all your people may have everything they need.
We pray for those who are sick, suffering, or grieving,
that their lives might bear the mark of your great goodness
and that, healed and whole, they may sing of your righteous deeds.
We pray to you, for you are gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
We pray to you, in the name of the risen Christ,
in whom we pray together:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
O Lord, you are our shepherd;
we shall not be in want.
Your creative grace is visible in lush green pastures
and revealed in still, clear waters.
Your restoring resurrecting Spirit revives our souls and our communities,
and you guide us in ways of righteousness for the sake of your earth.
We pray for the earth you create and love:
for people, families, nations, and species that dwell in the valley of the shadow of death;
for all who fear the evils of pollution, violence, depredation, and illness;
for those whose suffering is on our hearts this morning, and for those whom we will never meet.
Shepherding God, be with your people;
with your rod and your staff, restore us and lead us.
Spread your table of abundance before those who hunger and thirst;
set us free from enmity and division.
Anoint us with your calling to reconciliation,
and let the cup of our life overflow
with justice and life for all your creation.
Let your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life,
and make this earth your home forever,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
We praise you, O Lord, for your greatness and splendor;
we rejoice in you for the beauty and delight of your presence.
Your goodness flows abundantly in the life of the world,
and you provide enough
not only to sustain life
but to make living a delight.
We pray for all that lives,
and especially today for those creatures
whose lives are filled with suffering or uncertainty
because they cannot find enough
food, shelter, security, love, or hope.
Guide us as we seek to use the gifts you have given us,
and open us to see what wonders you can work in the world through us.
We pray for those who hunger for signs of your love
and who thirst for the gladness of your good news.
Make us vessels of your mercy
and servants at your welcome table,
so we might make room for everyone to find a home in you.
We pray as disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who teaches us to pray, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA
God of peace…we give thanks
that you are our firm foundation
when the waves of chaos thrash around us,
causing the world to feel out of control.
We give thanks
that you have empowered us
to speak peace into chaos,
and to take action against injustice.
But too often, we lack motivation,
we are too afraid to challenge injustice,
or it simply is not in our own interest to act.
So we stand with the oppressor
instead of kneeling with the oppressed…
we carry torches of anger and hatred
instead of bearing the bright light of your love…
and we offer our “thoughts and prayers”
but render them empty and vain
by our silence and inaction.
Yet, we know you desire so much more from us.
So draw us away from our apathy…
away from our complicity…
and closer to your hope for the world…
Submitted by Rev. Scott V. Cervas, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church (Lexington, KY)
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