Prayers

Prayer

You call us,
Wanderer of seashores and sidewalks,
inviting us to sail out of our smug harbors
into the uncharted waters of faith
to wander off from our predictable paths to follow You
into the unpredictable footsteps of the kingdom;
to leave the comfort of our homes and accompany
You into the uncomfortable neighborhoods we usually avoid.

As we wait,
in our simple, sometimes crazy,
constantly uncertain lives,
speak to us, Spirit of Grace:
of that hope which is our anchor;
of that peace which is our rock;
of that grace which is our refuge.

~ from a worship order prepared by Rev. Bob Gibson for the London Conference of the United Church of Canada.
http://www.londonconference.ca/

Gospel Reflection

Jesus called
Simon and Andrew.
No questions,
they dropped their nets.
James and John left their boats
and left their father
sitting in
one.
Jesus,
we hear you calling us.
We want to leave our boats
and drop our nets.
Help us let
go.

~ written by Anne Osdieck. Posted on The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University website.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/3OrdB012212/main.html

Prayer of the Day

Keeper of every moment in eternity:
we come, not only to hear those words which can transform us,
but to be filled with your grace and hope.
We have come, not out of habit, but to respond to your call,
willing to be called away from the familiar ways of our lives.

Walker of our journeys,
in the midst of our harried lives,
you call us to lay aside all that entangles us,
to follow you into service to others.
You invite us to step into the waters of life and hope,
reaching out to draw others to our side so, that together,
we might enter your kingdom of laughter and joy.

When uncertainty fills every block in our daily planners,
you come, Grace's Companion,
to offer that hope which anchors us in God's heart;
to place our feet firmly on that rock called peace;
to bring us safely to that haven filled with God's steadfast love.

God in Community, Holy in One,
Rock of every age,
we offer the prayer Jesus has taught us,
Our Father . . .

~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies.
http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/

Prayer of Commitment

Lord Jesus,
the one and only Christ,
You called many people
from many walks of life—
to leave their own ways and follow you;
to be your disciples;
and to prize people as something to seek, find and restore.

Lord Jesus,
the one true leader of every church,
we choose to stand as one church – your church –
and to lift our focus from our differences and divides.
We will leave our own ways and follow you together;
support each other as we seek to be your disciples;
and work together to focus on fishing once more.

For we must act justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly together before you – and each other.
For the sake of our worship of you,
our love for each other,
and the future and freedom of all those still living in poverty.

Lord Jesus,
we ask for your Spirit's help with this
for we are quick to focus on ourselves, our labels and our differences
rather than the same nets in our hands, and the same leader before us.
Christ have mercy—in your precious name which unites us all.

Amen.

— from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/prayer/church-seasons.aspx