Collects and Prayers - February 21, 2010 - The First Sunday of Lent

Greeting
Leader: In the wilderness, we feel helpless and hopeless.
People: But even there, God provides all we need.
Leader: In the wilderness, we are drawn by false gods.
People: But even there, the true God is revealed.
Leader: In the wilderness, we put God to the test.
People: But even there, we dedicate our lives to God.

Prayers of the People
O God our deliverer, you led your people of old through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide now the people of your church, that, following our Savior, we may dedicate ourselves to you. As we walk through the lonesome valley, we lift our needs to you, O God. Please respond, "Lord, hear our prayer."

That the people of All Saints' will dedicate their lives to God with the generous giving of their time, talents, and treasures, we pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.

That a church for All Saints' will be built from the stones of commitment, love, and compassion, we pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.

That by building a church, All Saints' will build up the Kingdom of God, we pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.

That trust in God's mercy and love will remain in our hearts and direct our wills, we pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.

That Christ's universal church will persevere through this Lenten season with the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we pray...
Lord, hear our prayer.

O God, your glory is always to have mercy.
Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways,
and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith
to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word.
We ask these things through Jesus Christ your Son,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen.