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