Collects and Prayers - August 30, 2009

Greeting (We commissioned the new cross this week, so the greeting was a little different)
Leader: Fix your mind on the Lord,
People: and fix your gaze on the cross of Christ.
Leader: Today, we present this cross to be consecrated to the glory of almighty God and for service in this church.
People: We accept this cross as a sacred trust and will guard and use it reverently.
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit we consecrate this cross to the glory of God. Let us pray.
People (at end of prayer): Amen.

Collect
Wise and Mindful God, we come to you seeking insight into your truth so that we may more fully embody your wisdom and understanding in order to reach a troubled world. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who was so obedient to your way that he set his face toward Jerusalem and a cross. Amen

Prayers of the People
God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, you have given us a book to read, a savior to follow and a spirit to guide and protect us. What more could our minds desire in order to unlock the secrets of life and fulfillment? You have created us in your own image and given yourself to us with love and expectation. Help us to dedicate ourselves to the edification of our minds that we may think your thoughts and act with your eternal wisdom.
Lord, in your Mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for all students regardless of their age. Give them a desire for learning and a passion for discerning the meaning in what they have learned. Thank you, Lord, we pray for those who apply themselves to challenging disciplines for the good of society and all creation - for those who are researching cures for diseases, for those who study social work, for seminarians hoping to make a difference.
Lord, in your Mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for our children whose minds are receptive and therefore absorb everything, both truth and falsehood. Protect them from misinformation about themselves, others, and the world around them. Fill them with wonderful teachings about you: our Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your Mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for those who suffer from memory loss, dementia and amnesia that they may be able to allow others to hold in sacred trust the memories lock within their fragmented minds. And we thank you, Wise and Powerful God, for knowing and remembering all things.
Lord, in your Mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray as part of our global church, here in Brier Creek, that we may be one in mind and deed and as we study your Word, that we will apply it in ways that mend the fractures of our community and beyond. We ask you to make us icons for this community, images and Christ and windows into his world.
Lord, in your Mercy...
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We pray for nations where free thought and universal education are denied to countless citizens. We offer our support and admiration for all who refuse to be held in the bondage of ignorance. Guide all humanity to understand that truth sets us free.
Lord, in your Mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER

Father of all, we thank you for your words of wisdom and your spirit of patience. As your saints, we recognize our own imperfections; yet we strive to be your living icons. We pray for insight that will lead us to acknowledge the whys of our failures so that we may be fortified by your words and complete our journey toward wisdom.
Lord, in your Mercy…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

We ask all these prayers in the name of your son, Jesus, on whom we fix our gaze and our minds.
Amen.

Collects and Prayers - August 23

Greeting
Leader: We, the body of Christ, gather with one mind in God's house this day;
Congregation: How lovely is his dwelling place!
Leader: Let us meditate on Christ's majesty and splendor both day and night
Congregation: And tell of his wisdom to all peoples.
Leader: Lord, happy are those who trust in you.
Congregation: Teach us to know your power.

Collect
Lay Liturgist: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Lay Liturgist: Let us pray.

Immortal, Invisible, All-powerful God, you sent your son to the world so that we might know the saving power of the risen Christ. Teach us to walk closer to him so that we might be transformed and renewed; for the sake of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers of the People
Lay Liturgist: You may be seated.
Lay Liturgist: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.

Now let us bring our petitions to God. Please respond to each petition with "Lord, hear our prayer."

We pray for leaders of nations and all those entrusted with decision-making. Grant them the knowledge to use their positions of earthly power as vehicles for the common good. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who suffer. May they find comfort in the knowledge that Christ shares their pain and that he will ease their burdens. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for church leaders everywhere, especially for our North Carolina Conference Bishop, and for our pastor. Let them faithfully follow in the footsteps of Christ as good shepherds. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the unchurched, especially the unchurched families and individuals of Brier Creek. Grant them the knowledge that Christ can offer them treasures of untold wealth. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for students everywhere, especially those at our area universities who struggle to find a place for God in their lives. Help them to hear your call. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the All Saints' Sunday School teachers and participants in the next New Member class beginning in a few weeks. Grant them the power to touch lives and transform hearts and the openness to be touched and transformed. Lord, hear our prayer.

We ask these things in the name of Jesus, who knows all and is all, who lives and reigns in our minds and hearts now and forever. Amen.

Collect and Prayers-August 16

Greeting
Leader: Praise the Lord!
People: Let us give thanks with our whole heart.
Leader: Cry out for insight!
People: Let us incline our minds toward understanding.
Leader: May the mind of Christ be in you,
People: And in life itself.

Collect
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

To the eternal God of ages, it is you alone who leads to the way of life. Help us embody the mind of Christ that we may act with obedience for the sole purpose of exalting you. We ask you this through the name of the one perfect and all knowing God. Amen.


Prayers of the People
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

God of all that is wise and true, we praise you for everything in life that reveals your goodness, grace, and mercy. We ask you for discernment in thought as we are confronted with difficult matters in our lives. Our failure is in our reluctance to turn to you, while you longingly wait for us to seek you. Anyone else would have abandoned us long ago. But you, O Loving God, are not anyone else.
We pray to you, O God. (Pause for silence)

We pray for all those who have lost their way and lack the will to search for direction. We pray for all who are sick in mind, body, and spirit. Healing God, bathe them in the light of your presence as we now lift their names silently and aloud. (Pause for names to be lifted) And if there are those for whom no prayer will be uttered this day, let this prayer be for them.
We pray to you, O God. (Pause for silence)

Give us insight into all the ways the Church can make your disciples. Show us where we have not represented the true mind of Christ. We pray for United Methodists to truly reflect open hearts, open minds and open doors. Prepare our minds to confront the distance between our beliefs and practices.
We pray to you, O God. (Pause for silence)

Guide All Saints’ as we grow your young church that we may nurture its members and be a beacon to the Brier Creek community. Especially today, we ask for the direction and wisdom for the leader of the Adult Discipleship Team to prepare the minds of Christ in each of us through Sunday School and small groups.
We pray to you, O God. (Pause for silence)

We lift up the Brier Creek Elementary School, its teachers, students and new principal. Prepare their minds and bodies for the school year that is to come. Provide them with all they need to learn, grow, and serve. We pray for the teaching and nurturing that happens here in this place and in this community.
We pray to you, O God. (Pause for silence)

Draw our world together around the issues affecting all of humanity. Build within each of us mind to singularly seek you and to serve one another with wisdom, understanding, and grace. Quiet all that clouds clarity and enable us to discern your will.
We pray to you, O God. (Pause for silence)

These things we ask in the name of Jesus. All glory and honor be Thine.
Amen

Collect and Prayers-August 9

Greeting
Leader: Gather together all the people to praise the Lord.
People: We gather together to praise God who is One in three.
Leader: Bless the Lord with one mind!
People: And with one soul!
Leader: And with one heart!
People: Bless the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Collect
To the one true and all knowing God, we call upon your wisdom as your reluctant students. Help us collectively seek your teachings in this faith, that we may abide in the mind of Christ for your transformation. We ask this through the Holy Trinity, who dwells in one mind and spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the People
Omitted due to the celebration of a baptism.

Collects and Prayers - August 2

Greeting
Leader: God gathers us here to worship,
Congregation: Surrounded by signs and symbols of his grace.
Leader: He transforms this into a holy place,
Congregation: And us into his holy people.
Leader: Here, we are given new birth
Congregation: And clothed anew in Christ.

Collect
Leader: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.

Almighty God, who clothed your servant Moses with righteousness and who anoints priests, prophets, and kings, you have called us to be clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and love. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, so that we may be one body. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who is all and in all. Amen.

Prayers of the People
Let us offer our petitions and thanksgiving to God Almighty, who hears and responds to the joys and tears of His people. After each petition, please offer your silent prayers to the Lord.
Leader: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray.

We give you thanks for your creation, for it nourishes, shelters, and sustains us. Since the beginning, you have given us all that we need - you clothed Adam and Eve in the garden, you clothed John the Baptist in the wilderness, you clothed Jesus as rabbi, you clothed the martyrs in blood and the baptized in light. Give us grateful hearts for these garments, and help us to put on Christ each day.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for world leaders and those who are clothed with power, that their decisions will reflect you, who alone are the source of all things.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for church leaders, whom you have clothed in special garments and anointed for your service. Give them humility, as they stand in the long line of servants that extends back to Peter and Moses. Help them to serve with a heart like yours, filled with kindness and compassion. Help them to be like mirrors, showing us Christ in ourselves.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for All Saints'. We give thanks for a space to worship, and for the faithful servants who work to transform this gym into a sacred space each week - for the table team that prepares the altar and for the set-up and break-down crews. May their work help make your presence deeply felt in this church.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We lift up those in this world and in Brier Creek who are affected by economic distress and unemployment. We pray especially for those facing nakedness in its many forms- for those without enough clothes to wear, for those who will be stripped of their homes through foreclosure, for those who feel exposed and vulnerable in this economic climate. We ask for your presence to envelope your people and to offer them strength, security, and relief.
Lord in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns in our world, our church, and in each of us, now and forever. Amen.