With joyful hearts, O God, we gather together in a place called Covenant … mindful of the covenant you made with Abraham and Sarah, the covenant you renewed with Moses and the people in the wilderness; a covenant made strong in the voice of the prophets and the wisdom of David and Solomon – a covenant purified and made new in the blood Christ our LORD.
Mindful, O God, that Jesus lived his life for our sake, that we might know your goodness, your love and mercy, your forgiveness and acceptance – and by such knowledge, O God, to be liberated from the slavery of self-interest, to become servants of Christ – embodiments of his purpose, his passion, his grace and his goodness.
We pray, this morning, for our brothers and sisters at Westwood Presbyterian Church … may the flame of faith burn bright in their midst – may they rejoice in the love of Christ their LORD and bear eager witness to his name.
We pray today for our Presbytery and its leadership … for our Synod and its churches, for our General Assembly and its Moderator, the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow … and for our seminaries and colleges, for our children’s homes and retirement homes.
We pray, O God, for the Church of Jesus Christ around the world – in so many different shapes and forms – music of every kind and buildings grand and buildings not so grand – but all of them, your people - trying their best, working hard at it, sometimes stumbling, sometimes succeeding, but always with an eye on Christ, encouraged by his Spirit.
We pray, O God, for the welfare of our land – for President Obama, for Congress and the Courts – for the governors and mayors of the land – guide them, and guard them, we pray.
We pray for our soldiers, especially for those in harms way. We are keenly mindful of our colleague, Chaplain Ed Brandt in Iraq.
Strengthen us this day, O God, with fresh resolve to be a light to the nations and the salt of the earth … to embody Christ in word and deed.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Prayers of the People – February 15, 2009
We are grateful, O God, for the gift of life:
To love and be loved,
To cherish and to hold,
To forgive and be forgiven,
To know something of Jesus our LORD … to be a part of the church, to lift up the light of hope, and to make this a better world.
We pray today for the Rev. Dr. Harold Kidd, our new moderator of the Presbytery of the Pacific … and we pray for the Presbytery staff:
The Rev. Linda Culbertson
The Rev. Steve Smith
The Rev. Bill Hazen
Kathy Porter
Doug Rozendal
Veronica Sanchez-Morales
Betty Simen
The Rev. Heidi Worthen Gamble
We pray for Christians everywhere … a myriad of voices and styles – store front churches in Chicago and a thatched roof shed in Haiti – a spired cathedral in London and a New England white clapboard – fancy to plain; small and large; sometimes silly and sanctimonious, sometimes harsh and judgmental, sometimes proud and pompous, sometimes grand and glorious, good and gracious, wise and welcoming – but mostly, LORD, just human beings whom you have touched with grace – trying to figure it out – wondering what it means to follow Jesus.
We pray, O God, for our President and for Congress and the courts of the land … we pray for our ambassadors and for our military … we pray for peace and we pray for the healing of the nations.
We pray for the millions in our land who have lost job and home … who struggle to keep bread on the table and a roof over their heads …
Help us to marshal our resources for the well-being of our people – to pay attention to the least of these in our midst – we pray, O God, that we may have your eyes and your love – your compassion and your purpose –
Fill us, we pray with the Spirit of Christ and the passion of the prophets – to challenge the self-serving powers within all of us and within our land, to challenge the self-righteous instincts of religion – to push and to prod, to be real and to be kind, to be thoughtful and merciful – to be a light for our world and the salt of the earth.
And in your mercy, O God, help us we pray: we face problems that perplex us, tasks for which we feel unequal. Our inner lives are often a battlefield where faith and fear contend. We see in our lives failure that only your mercy can pardon, and possibilities of good that only your grace can bring to fulfillment. In this and all the matters of life, dear God, we need your help.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name …
To love and be loved,
To cherish and to hold,
To forgive and be forgiven,
To know something of Jesus our LORD … to be a part of the church, to lift up the light of hope, and to make this a better world.
We pray today for the Rev. Dr. Harold Kidd, our new moderator of the Presbytery of the Pacific … and we pray for the Presbytery staff:
The Rev. Linda Culbertson
The Rev. Steve Smith
The Rev. Bill Hazen
Kathy Porter
Doug Rozendal
Veronica Sanchez-Morales
Betty Simen
The Rev. Heidi Worthen Gamble
We pray for Christians everywhere … a myriad of voices and styles – store front churches in Chicago and a thatched roof shed in Haiti – a spired cathedral in London and a New England white clapboard – fancy to plain; small and large; sometimes silly and sanctimonious, sometimes harsh and judgmental, sometimes proud and pompous, sometimes grand and glorious, good and gracious, wise and welcoming – but mostly, LORD, just human beings whom you have touched with grace – trying to figure it out – wondering what it means to follow Jesus.
We pray, O God, for our President and for Congress and the courts of the land … we pray for our ambassadors and for our military … we pray for peace and we pray for the healing of the nations.
We pray for the millions in our land who have lost job and home … who struggle to keep bread on the table and a roof over their heads …
Help us to marshal our resources for the well-being of our people – to pay attention to the least of these in our midst – we pray, O God, that we may have your eyes and your love – your compassion and your purpose –
Fill us, we pray with the Spirit of Christ and the passion of the prophets – to challenge the self-serving powers within all of us and within our land, to challenge the self-righteous instincts of religion – to push and to prod, to be real and to be kind, to be thoughtful and merciful – to be a light for our world and the salt of the earth.
And in your mercy, O God, help us we pray: we face problems that perplex us, tasks for which we feel unequal. Our inner lives are often a battlefield where faith and fear contend. We see in our lives failure that only your mercy can pardon, and possibilities of good that only your grace can bring to fulfillment. In this and all the matters of life, dear God, we need your help.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name …
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Prayers of the People – Sunday, February 8, 2009
What does it mean to live, O God?
We have lots of questions … and we’re not sure what any of it means, but, LORD, we do our best, and we thank you for your grace … the daily bread of your mercy … the presence of the Holy Spirit, for we are not alone in our journey – you walk beside us, and a great cloud of witnesses encourage us.
We pray today for Congress and President Obama.
They have a lot on their plates, LORD … a lot to think about.
The weight of the nation’s present turmoil lies uneasy on their shoulders.
We pray for the banks of our nation …
We pray for the board rooms of America … the women and men of Wall Street …
And we pray for the American people …
In such times, O LORD, give us vision.
Help us live the ethic of contentment, especially when we have enough … to be peaceable with one another …
To come to one another’s defense.
And for those who have enough, to be mindful of those who have too little:
A child in a crumbling classroom …
A man who cannot find a job …
Workers around the nation paid to little and who live in a state of constant fear, that today will be their last day on the job.
A mentally challenged student whose family cannot afford the private school.
An elderly couple who cannot afford medical care and rent at the same time.
LORD, there’s a lot of folks who live on the downside of life … and for them, and for their wellbeing, we pray, and we do more than pray, we work …
For justice and for fair play.
For a level playing field.
And for kindness – to care for those who will never be able to care for themselves … to provide for their welfare, in the same spirit with which you, O God, provide for ours – free of charge!
LORD, we gather here this morning in sober reflection …
And joyful thanksgiving …
Much to ponder … and much to do.
But most of all, we say Thank You!
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done …
We have lots of questions … and we’re not sure what any of it means, but, LORD, we do our best, and we thank you for your grace … the daily bread of your mercy … the presence of the Holy Spirit, for we are not alone in our journey – you walk beside us, and a great cloud of witnesses encourage us.
We pray today for Congress and President Obama.
They have a lot on their plates, LORD … a lot to think about.
The weight of the nation’s present turmoil lies uneasy on their shoulders.
We pray for the banks of our nation …
We pray for the board rooms of America … the women and men of Wall Street …
And we pray for the American people …
In such times, O LORD, give us vision.
Help us live the ethic of contentment, especially when we have enough … to be peaceable with one another …
To come to one another’s defense.
And for those who have enough, to be mindful of those who have too little:
A child in a crumbling classroom …
A man who cannot find a job …
Workers around the nation paid to little and who live in a state of constant fear, that today will be their last day on the job.
A mentally challenged student whose family cannot afford the private school.
An elderly couple who cannot afford medical care and rent at the same time.
LORD, there’s a lot of folks who live on the downside of life … and for them, and for their wellbeing, we pray, and we do more than pray, we work …
For justice and for fair play.
For a level playing field.
And for kindness – to care for those who will never be able to care for themselves … to provide for their welfare, in the same spirit with which you, O God, provide for ours – free of charge!
LORD, we gather here this morning in sober reflection …
And joyful thanksgiving …
Much to ponder … and much to do.
But most of all, we say Thank You!
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done …
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Prayers of the People - February 1, 2009
We are grateful, O God, for the delight of life and its many, many, joys … while there are plenty of things to test our spirit and try our soul, we take pleasure in family and in friends – the simple things of life: a good dish of pasta with meatballs, a salad with crisp lettuce, a fine glass of wine – and the laughter of the soul.
O LORD our God, in times as these,
Help us keep our balance.
Though fear is in the air,
Help us remain close to you, trusting you in all things.
Keep us steadfast LORD, determined to make a difference … to uphold the values of love … to become all the more engaged in projects and programs to keep our nation faithful to the vision of our founding mothers and fathers – a nation wherein all the world can find a home, where justice is never rationed, but given freely for all, and everyone has a chance to pursue their own dreams of happiness.
Help us, as those who follow Christ,
To embody the love he gives.
The love for which he died.
And the love that breaks forth from the empty tomb.
A love that cannot die again.
A love pure and bright.
A love that builds up and restores,
And makes all things new.
We thank you for the heroes of our faith, great women and men who swim against the tide, who march to the beat of heaven’s drummers …
But more than heroes, we give thanks for a million deeds of kindness done everyday by a million people who make life better for us … every word said with kindness, every prayer uttered, every deed well done, every bit and piece of love offered up to make life good and beautiful.
For those who work in soup kitchens and food pantries,
For those who gather up used clothing and furniture and get those things into needy hands and needy homes.
For a wife who faithfully cares for her ailing husband.
For parents who anguish quietly and faithfully for a child having a hard time of it.
For a man who goes to work anyway, to support his family.
For preachers and pastors, for missionaries and Sunday School teachers … for singers and musicians … for millions of folks who keep the faith and love one another.
The faithfulness of millions who do it well, even the smallest of things, when they don’t feel like it, when they don’t want to, but they do it anyway.
Who lead with vision.
Who serve with humility.
Who inspire and encourage.
Who appreciate the co-worker and put up with the difficult.
Who sew and sell, who make and manage, with graceful dignity and patient endurance.
All the small deeds of good, O LORD - the love that builds up the whole world.
Thanks be to you, O God …
For Jesus and the church.
For this table and the bread and drink of communion.
Tomorrow, LORD, another day.
We’ll do our best.
We’ll love and try again.
We’ll seek your counsel and rely on your mercy.
We’ll keep on growing and keep on going.
We’ll not give up.
We’ll not be persuaded by materialism.
We’ll be persuaded by the eternal things of faith, hope and love.
By your grace, we will be,
The salt of the earth,
And the light of the world.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done …
O LORD our God, in times as these,
Help us keep our balance.
Though fear is in the air,
Help us remain close to you, trusting you in all things.
Keep us steadfast LORD, determined to make a difference … to uphold the values of love … to become all the more engaged in projects and programs to keep our nation faithful to the vision of our founding mothers and fathers – a nation wherein all the world can find a home, where justice is never rationed, but given freely for all, and everyone has a chance to pursue their own dreams of happiness.
Help us, as those who follow Christ,
To embody the love he gives.
The love for which he died.
And the love that breaks forth from the empty tomb.
A love that cannot die again.
A love pure and bright.
A love that builds up and restores,
And makes all things new.
We thank you for the heroes of our faith, great women and men who swim against the tide, who march to the beat of heaven’s drummers …
But more than heroes, we give thanks for a million deeds of kindness done everyday by a million people who make life better for us … every word said with kindness, every prayer uttered, every deed well done, every bit and piece of love offered up to make life good and beautiful.
For those who work in soup kitchens and food pantries,
For those who gather up used clothing and furniture and get those things into needy hands and needy homes.
For a wife who faithfully cares for her ailing husband.
For parents who anguish quietly and faithfully for a child having a hard time of it.
For a man who goes to work anyway, to support his family.
For preachers and pastors, for missionaries and Sunday School teachers … for singers and musicians … for millions of folks who keep the faith and love one another.
The faithfulness of millions who do it well, even the smallest of things, when they don’t feel like it, when they don’t want to, but they do it anyway.
Who lead with vision.
Who serve with humility.
Who inspire and encourage.
Who appreciate the co-worker and put up with the difficult.
Who sew and sell, who make and manage, with graceful dignity and patient endurance.
All the small deeds of good, O LORD - the love that builds up the whole world.
Thanks be to you, O God …
For Jesus and the church.
For this table and the bread and drink of communion.
Tomorrow, LORD, another day.
We’ll do our best.
We’ll love and try again.
We’ll seek your counsel and rely on your mercy.
We’ll keep on growing and keep on going.
We’ll not give up.
We’ll not be persuaded by materialism.
We’ll be persuaded by the eternal things of faith, hope and love.
By your grace, we will be,
The salt of the earth,
And the light of the world.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done …
Prayers of the People - February 1, 2009
Prayers of the People – Sunday, February 1, 2009
We are grateful, O God, for the delight of life and its many, many, joys … while there are plenty of things to test our spirit and try our soul, we take pleasure in family and in friends – the simple things of life: a good dish of pasta with meatballs, a salad with crisp lettuce, a fine glass of wine – and the laughter of the soul.
O LORD our God, in times as these,
Help us keep our balance.
Though fear is in the air,
Help us remain close to you, trusting you in all things.
Keep us steadfast LORD, determined to make a difference … to uphold the values of love … to become all the more engaged in projects and programs to keep our nation faithful to the vision of our founding mothers and fathers – a nation wherein all the world can find a home, where justice is never rationed, but given freely for all, and everyone has a chance to pursue their own dreams of happiness.
Help us, as those who follow Christ,
To embody the love he gives.
The love for which he died.
And the love that breaks forth from the empty tomb.
A love that cannot die again.
A love pure and bright.
A love that builds up and restores,
And makes all things new.
We thank you for the heroes of our faith, great women and men who swim against the tide, who march to the beat of heaven’s drummers …
But more than heroes, we give thanks for a million deeds of kindness done everyday by a million people who make life better for us … every word said with kindness, every prayer uttered, every deed well done, every bit and piece of love offered up to make life good and beautiful.
For those who work in soup kitchens and food pantries,
For those who gather up used clothing and furniture and get those things into needy hands and needy homes.
For a wife who faithfully cares for her ailing husband.
For parents who anguish quietly and faithfully for a child having a hard time of it.
For a man who goes to work anyway, to support his family.
For preachers and pastors, for missionaries and Sunday School teachers … for singers and musicians … for millions of folks who keep the faith and love one another.
The faithfulness of millions who do it well, even the smallest of things, when they don’t feel like it, when they don’t want to, but they do it anyway.
Who lead with vision.
Who serve with humility.
Who inspire and encourage.
Who appreciate the co-worker and put up with the difficult.
Who sew and sell, who make and manage, with graceful dignity and patient endurance.
All the small deeds of good, O LORD - the love that builds up the whole world.
Thanks be to you, O God …
For Jesus and the church.
For this table and the bread and drink of communion.
Tomorrow, LORD, another day.
We’ll do our best.
We’ll love and try again.
We’ll seek your counsel and rely on your mercy.
We’ll keep on growing and keep on going.
We’ll not give up.
We’ll not be persuaded by materialism.
We’ll be persuaded by the eternal things of faith, hope and love.
By your grace, we will be,
The salt of the earth,
And the light of the world.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done …
We are grateful, O God, for the delight of life and its many, many, joys … while there are plenty of things to test our spirit and try our soul, we take pleasure in family and in friends – the simple things of life: a good dish of pasta with meatballs, a salad with crisp lettuce, a fine glass of wine – and the laughter of the soul.
O LORD our God, in times as these,
Help us keep our balance.
Though fear is in the air,
Help us remain close to you, trusting you in all things.
Keep us steadfast LORD, determined to make a difference … to uphold the values of love … to become all the more engaged in projects and programs to keep our nation faithful to the vision of our founding mothers and fathers – a nation wherein all the world can find a home, where justice is never rationed, but given freely for all, and everyone has a chance to pursue their own dreams of happiness.
Help us, as those who follow Christ,
To embody the love he gives.
The love for which he died.
And the love that breaks forth from the empty tomb.
A love that cannot die again.
A love pure and bright.
A love that builds up and restores,
And makes all things new.
We thank you for the heroes of our faith, great women and men who swim against the tide, who march to the beat of heaven’s drummers …
But more than heroes, we give thanks for a million deeds of kindness done everyday by a million people who make life better for us … every word said with kindness, every prayer uttered, every deed well done, every bit and piece of love offered up to make life good and beautiful.
For those who work in soup kitchens and food pantries,
For those who gather up used clothing and furniture and get those things into needy hands and needy homes.
For a wife who faithfully cares for her ailing husband.
For parents who anguish quietly and faithfully for a child having a hard time of it.
For a man who goes to work anyway, to support his family.
For preachers and pastors, for missionaries and Sunday School teachers … for singers and musicians … for millions of folks who keep the faith and love one another.
The faithfulness of millions who do it well, even the smallest of things, when they don’t feel like it, when they don’t want to, but they do it anyway.
Who lead with vision.
Who serve with humility.
Who inspire and encourage.
Who appreciate the co-worker and put up with the difficult.
Who sew and sell, who make and manage, with graceful dignity and patient endurance.
All the small deeds of good, O LORD - the love that builds up the whole world.
Thanks be to you, O God …
For Jesus and the church.
For this table and the bread and drink of communion.
Tomorrow, LORD, another day.
We’ll do our best.
We’ll love and try again.
We’ll seek your counsel and rely on your mercy.
We’ll keep on growing and keep on going.
We’ll not give up.
We’ll not be persuaded by materialism.
We’ll be persuaded by the eternal things of faith, hope and love.
By your grace, we will be,
The salt of the earth,
And the light of the world.
In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done …
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)