Holy Love, first and last, you offer yourself to us completely and call us to your life. Yet we are afraid, for your Way demands much of us. We confess that we are often quick to judge and slow to forgive. We confess that we choose that which does not satisfy, even as you offer us abundant life. When our fear overrides your call, forgive us. When we act from our own limited love rather than your expansive grace, forgive us. Reach down to us again, lift us up as a mother lifts a child to her cheek. Cast out our fear and fill us with the breath of your Spirit, that we may live the love we see in your Son, Jesus the Christ, in whose perfect name we pray. Amen.
Year C
POP–uphold and deliver
O Lord, God of mystery and blessing,
hear our prayers and the earnest cries of our hearts.
Uphold your people in your strength,
and give your attention to doing justice in our world.
Judge of our hearts, come to us in the quietness;
examine us and make us pure so we might do your will.
Teach our mouths to speak your blessings,
and keep us walking in the paths of your perfect love.
We call upon you, O God, on behalf of those who long for your presence;
hear the prayers of your people and give an answer to those who seek you.
Protect all those who are in danger,
from those they know as enemies,
from those they knew as friends or family,
or from the unseeing forces of nature.
Gather your people under the shadow of your wings.
Rise up to protect those who suffer from sickness, resentment, oppression, or poverty.
Open our hearts to compassion for all who are in need,
and teach us to extend your mercy and healing.
Deliver us, O Lord, from all fear,
and give hope even to those who face death,
that in this world and in the next we may see your face and hear your blessing.
We pray in Jesus’ name, saying together:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
POP–laughter
O Lord, faithful and joyful God,
we can scarcely believe the good things you intend for your people.
When we recognize your generosity and hear your promises,
our mouths are filled with laughter, and our tongues shout for joy.
We rejoice and are glad indeed for the great things you promise for us.
Fulfill your promises in the lives of all whom we lift up before you.
For those whose good fortune seems to have dried up:
Restore your promises and make your people whole.
For those who weep today:
May they sing songs of joy once more.
For those who anxiously wait for the seeds of life to sprout once more:
May your abundant harvest be known.
Faithful God, we entrust our future to your steadfast promises,
and we wait patiently for you,
strengthened by the name of Jesus Christ, in which we pray together:
The Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
POP–come quickly
My God, my God, come close to your people!
You come to us to rescue us from powers that are too great for us.
Come to the help of all who face trouble or danger today.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, you bind us together as brothers and sisters, beloved in Christ.
Fill our hearts, our lives, and our voices with your praise,
and make us bold to proclaim your name to all people.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we lift up those who are close to us who face trouble,
especially those who are sick, sorrowing, or confused.
Send forth your healing and restoring love.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we pray for those who are poor, hungry, or homeless,
who are closer to us than many of us realize.
Open our hands to share what we have,
and open our hearts to share in relationship.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we pray for all who are entrusted with power
over nations, corporations, and the powers of the world,
that their decisions might honor you and seek the welfare of all people.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
O Lord, we pray for all the generations:
with thanksgiving for those who have gone before us and enjoy your eternal rest;
and with hope for those who will follow us, to whom we must still proclaim your salvation.
Keep your church faithful in every age.
O Lord our help,
come quickly to our aid!
Keep us faithful to you, O Lord,
and teach us to serve you,
as we pray together with Jesus, saying:
The Lord’s Prayer
Rev. Nathan Williams, Echo Hill Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids IA
confession: painted with vision
Creator God, you paint the world with your vision, you whisper through our voices, you write on our hearts. Yet we turn our eyes away, close our ears, and harden our hearts. Where you have created, we have destroyed. Where you have brought together, we have divided. Where you have loved, we have ignored, and feared, and hated—often in your name. Forgive our lack of vision, and help us to see as you see, in order that we might love as you love.
~silence~
Assurance of Forgiveness
One: God’s promise is sure: in Christ we are forgiven. Rejoice in God’s strength and live in Christ’s light.
All: God is with us! We will love as we have been loved. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL.
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