Worship Prayers for January 28

 CENTERING PRAYER (Jonah 2:2-9)

 

“I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, “I am driven away from your sight; how shall I look again upon your holy temple?” The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped around my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me for ever; yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God. As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!”

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 30)

 

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up,

and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me.

O LORD, you brought up my soul from Sheol,

restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment; his favour is for a lifetime.

Weeping may linger for the night,

but joy comes in the morning.

“Hear, O LORD, and be gracious unto us!

O LORD, be our helper!”

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Forgiving God, we repent of all the ways we turn from you. You call, but we do not listen; you show us your path, but we prefer our own way. You pardon our sins, but we cannot forgive our enemies. You provide abundant blessings, but we remain stuck in anger, swallowed up by our grievances. Forgive us, heal us, and lead us back to you, that we might show mercy to others. We continue to pray in Jesus’ name. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

God is our rock and our fortress. Let us celebrate our salvation by fearlessly giving a portion of what has already been given to us.

 

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray…Merciful God, you saved us for a purpose. We dedicate these gifts as we dedicate our lives to you. Please use these offerings to further your kingdom of justice, mercy, and peace. Amen.