Worship Prayers for October 30

 CENTERING PRAYER

You are our hiding place, O God; you preserve us from trouble and deliver us from death. You teach us your wisdom and show us you grace by honoring the weak, forgiving the wicked, and reforming your church. All glory and praise be to you, for justice and mercy meet in you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

We gather together today in search of reformation.

We want to reform ourselves, our church, and our society.

Help us to stand fearless at the edge of change.

For God is in the midst of us and we will not be moved.

Be still, and know that God is God.

God is our rock and our redeemer.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Loving God, you promise that all who faithfully confess to you will be forgiven. Trusting in your mercy, we acknowledge the harm we do and the good we fail to do. Forgive us, we pray; guide us in your truth, and teach us the way to go, that we may love and serve you well. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

In sharing ourselves, we reflect God’s vision of love, justice, and forgiveness for the world. Let us give freely, so that the ministry of Jesus Christ may flourish in this community and beyond. Please pray with me…

 

Holy One, we ask you to bless these tithes and offerings, that our gifts may embody your vision of the kingdom and bless those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and seeking justice. Amen.

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Scripture Oct. 29 and 30

 Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

Zacchaeus by Niels Larsen Stevns.

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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Prayers for October 28

God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for God's good pleasure.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 28, 2022

• Morning Psalms 84; 148
• First Reading Nahum 2:13-3:7
• Second Reading Revelation 13:1-10
• Gospel Reading Luke 12:13-31
• Evening Psalms 25; 40

God our creator, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. Let Christ the sun of righteousness shine forever in our hearts and draw us to that light where you live in radiant glory. O Lord, our creator, by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived. We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay. Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done God of glory, you see how all creation groans in labor as it awaits redemption. As we work for and await your new creation, we trust that you will answer our prayers with grace, and fulfill your promise that all things work together for good for those who love you. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)

Worship Prayers for Oct. 23

 CENTERING PRAYER

 

Righteous and gracious Lord, you reveal to us the way of goodness and life. Teach us humility that we may trust in your power and not our own. Make us ever grateful for the gifts of this day and grant us the sure assurance of your presence in our lives. We pray this and everything in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 84)

 

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the Living God.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.

O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Merciful God, hope of your people in every age, we confess we have sinned against you. We have wandered from your pathways, turned toward idols, lived without compassion, and disregarded the well-being of your creation. Do not turn away from us, O Lord, but renew your covenant, for only in you will our lives be healed. Guide us and lead us in your ways, for happy are those who live in your house. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

With humility for all God gives us, let us gratefully give for the work of the church and the healing of the world. Let us pray…

 

Holy and merciful God, you know the joy that is in us when we offer ourselves, our time, and our possessions for the work you set before us. Please use these gifts to heal and teach, comfort and challenge, that all the world might give you praise. Amen.

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Scripture for Oct. 22 and 23

 Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee and the Publican, 
baroque fresco in 
Ottobeuren Basilica.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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Prayers October 21

 

I appeal to you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 21, 2022

• Morning Psalms 88; 148
• First Reading Micah 6:1-8
• Second Reading Revelation 9:13-21
• Gospel Reading Luke 10:38-42
• Evening Psalms 6; 20

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; bring all creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Clothe us with the power promised from on high, and send us forth to the ends of the earth as heralds of repentance and witnesses of Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead. Merciful God, strengthen us in prayer that we may lift up the brokenness of this world for your healing, and share in the saving love of Jesus Christ. We pray for those in positions of authority over others, the lonely and forgotten, children without families or homes, agents of caring and relief. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

May God in endless mercy bring the whole church, the living and departed, to a joyful resurrection in the fulfillment of the eternal kingdom.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)

Worship Prayers for Oct. 15 and 16

CENTERING PRAYER

 

O God who writes on our hearts, you never abandon us. In amazing and persistent grace, you keep your covenant with us. We thank you for loving us even when we have not loved you. We long to behold the day of your appearing, even as we stand now in view of your kingdom, promised and mad present in Christ Jesus, in whose name we wait and pray. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

No matter how far from God we see to be, we do not lose heart:

For the days are surely coming says the Lord.

No matter how many obstacles we face, we do not lose heart:

For the days are surely coming says the Lord.

No matter how hard it is to pray and work for justice, we do not lose heart;

For the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will forgive and restore my people and grant them justice.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Gracious God, we confess we do not meditate on your commands and teachings all day long. We do not keep your word before us always and in all things. Instead, we turn from your demanding truth and wander to easier options. Forgive us, we pray, for pursuing our own desires rather than yours. Forgive us for growing weary in following you and for losing hope. Turn our hearts back to you. Do not remember our sin, but remember your mercy forever. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

 

OFFERING

 

We thank you God for hearing and answering our prayers. With hearts filled in thanksgiving, we return a portion of the abundance you provide in our lives. Let us pray…

 

Generous God, we belong to you, and everything we have is yours. Use these offerings, we pray, in service of the justice you are establishing through your kingdom in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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Scripture for Oct. 15 and 16

 Luke 18:1-8

Avenge me of mine adversary, anonymous,
 contracted by Pacific Press Publishing Company (1900)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

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Prayers for October 14

 

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Daily Readings for Friday, October 14, 2022

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading Hosea 13:9-16
• Second Reading Acts 28:1-16
• Gospel Reading Luke 9:28-36
• Evening Psalms 32; 139

O God, you are the well-spring of life. Pour into our hearts the living water of your grace that we may be refreshed to live this day in joy, confident of your presence and empowered by your peace. Protect your people, O God, and keep us safe until the coming of your new dawn and the establishment of your righteous rule. By your Holy Spirit, stir up within us a longing for the light of your new day, and guide us by the radiance of Jesus Christ your Son, our risen Lord. Almighty God, guide the nations of the world into ways of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Compassionate God, your Son gives rest to those weary with heavy burdens. Heal the sick in body, mind, and spirit. Lift up the depressed. Befriend those who grieve. Comfort the anxious. Fill all people with your Holy Spirit that they may bear each other's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, remain with you always.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)