Prayers

Prayer of Praise

The warmth
of the sun's embrace
the gentle breeze swept in
by incoming tide
the rhythm of seasons
of new birth
death and recreation
All these speak so clearly
of your love
your power
and your beauty
All are expressions
of your creativity
and more importantly of yourself
As an artist might share his personality
within each brushstroke
so within the myriad colours
of a butterfly's wing
you share the exuberance of your love

That we can glimpse you
within creation is a beautiful thought
but also tells us
that you desire to be seen
to be found and known
Open our eyes, Lord
as we walk through this world
feel the wind and sunshine
see the majesty of creation unfolding before our eyes
Help us
to see you

~ Copyright © John Birch, posted on Faith and Worship—Prayers and Resources.
http://www.faithandworship.com/

Prayers of the People

God, your glory fills the heavens
and all that you have made bears your mark.
We pray for this creation:
we ask forgiveness for the ways in which we have disfigured it;
we pray for those who cannot enjoy
the warm sun or the cool night,
those who are imprisoned or alone . . .
those who are ill or infirm . . .
those who mourn . . .
Use all of us, our hearts, our hands,
to bring your wondrous power into their lives.
Let us glorify you, O God.
Let your hymn resound in our lives.

Silence

God, your perfect law protects and revives us
and your way enlightens and enlivens us.
We pray for all the peoples of this world,
people hungry for order and safety, warmth and shelter . . .
women and men who lay down their lives to keep their neighbors safe . . .
and those who lead our nations, cities, and towns . . .
Help us unearth this treasure of justice and equality
and bring it to all the world.
Let us glorify you, O God.
Let your hymn resound in our lives.

Silence

Hear these and all our prayers, great God.
Let the words of our mouths
and the meditations of our hearts
be acceptable to you, O Lord,
our Rock and our Redeemer.

~ written by James Hart Brumm. Published in the December, 2008 issue of Reformed Worship.
http://reformedworship.org/

Prayer of Praise & Confession (based on Psalm 19)

Your glory, O God
is declared in the holy silence of the heavens,
and told in the silent succession of day and night.

No speech, or word or voice is heard;
yet they speak to all the world,
and their words reach to the ends of the earth.

The sun joyfully leaps across the sky,
from one end of the heavens to the farthest reaches,
and nothing is hidden from its heat or light.
So nothing that we do or say or whisper in our hearts
is hidden from you, Lord God.

Release us from darkness we hide deep within our lives.
Let our lives be radiant with holy fear;
delighting in your teaching,
receiving insight from your commandments
and wisdom from your encouraging.

Enliven our desire for your everlasting judgments
over wealth or fame:
to enjoy the sweet drippings of the honeycomb,
that are to be found in right relationship with those around us,
and with you.

Amen.

~ Copyright © 2000 Jeff Shrowder, and posted on The Billabong website. For use in worship with acknowledgement.
http://thebillabong.info/