Confession, Collects and Prayers: March 11, 2012 - Third Sunday in Lent

Prayer of Confession

We can see the gates of Jerusalem, and the hill of the cross.  We are deeper into the wilderness of Lent, and as we look ahead to Golgotha, we also see in ourselves the stain of our disobedience.  Let us confess before God and one another those things which have broken our relationships and broken our world, responding after each portion of the prayer, “Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.”

Let us pray:

We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, God our Father.  We have barely loved you with the smallest fraction of who we are.  We wander through the week forgetting who you are, only to stumble into worship and find you all over again.  We ask that you would forgive our wandering hearts and our idle hands.  Forgive us, we pray, and bring us out of the house of slavery to sin and death.

Hear our prayer: Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, we have failed to be your obedient church.  We have lived like those who are perishing, unwilling to proclaim the glory of your cross.  We admit we often see it more as foolishness.  We continue to put our faith in the wisdom of the age, ascribing worth more to those who speak of hope and glory outside of you.  Forgive us for not proclaiming your gospel to the world, to those who hunger and thirst, to those trapped in sickness, imprisonment, and death.  Forgive us, Lord Jesus, for not finding our strength in you.

Hear our prayer: Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

We confess that we have not loved God with all that we are and loved our neighbors as ourselves, Holy Spirit.  The faith you ignite within us is a flame we let grow weak or we hide altogether.  Forgive us our lack of zeal and fervor over the power of your grace and your word.  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts with your inspiration and grace, that we would be forgiven our disobedience and be restored to a right and good relationship with all your creation.

Hear our prayer: Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Hear all our prayers, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as we repent and ask your forgiveness.  Reshape us into new creation, making us a part of your great work of salvation for all people even as you perfect us in your love.  We ask these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Collect

Our Father, in wisdom you created the world and everything in it. By your knowledge You established the heavens. In the person of Your son Jesus, You have shown us what true wisdom looks like in this fallen world. As your Church today, we come together today seeking to be a people the world sees as foolish, but You have called wise. Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us. From Heaven where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and the faith to trust Your Word today.

Prayers of the People

Father, You guide Your people with kindness and govern us with love.

Give the Spirit of wisdom to those You have called to lead your Church.
May the growth of Your people in holiness be the eternal joy of our shepherds.

Our Father.... as it is in Heaven, may it be on earth.

So send the Spirit of wisdom – your Holy Spirit – to show us how to walk wisely through these days. Send the Spirit of revelation to help us understand where we have been foolish in Your eyes.

Gracious Lord... renew a right spirit in us.

As you reveal your wisdom, Lord, help me to be faithful to do all that you show me to do. As Your people...Your Church, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration, and continue with Your saving help. May our work always find its origin in You, and through You reach completion.           

Alpha and Omega... sustain our hearts by Your love

Our God, thank you that Your Word gives knowledge, instruction, wisdom, and understanding to all who pay attention to its truths. Make clear to us the paths that lead to You. Help us to trust You and to remember that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to you.

Light of the World... Open our eyes, we want to see Jesus.

May the word of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing to you Oh Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Confession, Collects and Prayers: March 4, 2012 - Second Sunday in Lent

Prayer of Confession

As we walk deeper into the wilderness of the Lenten season, we gather again this morning and begin by confessing aloud the sins that have kept us from one another and from God.  With our words of confession I will say, “Hear our prayer” and we will respond, “Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.”

Let us pray:  We confess that our hearts have failed you, Lord, and have become more like stone than like flesh.  

We have lost the will and the way to be obedient to you.
 
Like Abraham we fall on our faces, but we confess we have no clue what it means to be blameless before you.  
More often than not, we do not seem to care.  
Forgive us, God of Abraham, for our disobedience.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Son of God, we have lost our way before you.  We are held captive to the power of sin and death despite your good news proclaimed to us so often.  
Forgive us for not having heard the cries of the needy, for staying away from those who might make your call clearer to us in their hunger and thirst.  
Forgive us for having not broken into the jails and the hospitals with your word of freedom to the oppressed and to the sick.  
Forgive us, Lord Jesus Christ, for not knowing the way of your cross, and even worse, for willfully ignoring it.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Our hearts ache for your divine fire, Holy Spirit.  

Pour out your sanctifying grace upon us, make us clean with your purifying flames that we might be freed for joyful obedience.  

We are here because we so deeply long for you.  Forgive us all our sins and keep us in a right spirit.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

We would be your people called to be a blessing to the world.  Hear these prayers, gracious and electing God, and rename each of us in the perfection of your salvation.  Forgive us all these things and prepare us to receive your glory.  In the name of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

Oh Great and Gracious Lord,We thank you for being the guiding presence in our lives;

For making us part of your Holy plan.
We ask you to show us, as you showed our Father Abraham, how we can further your Kingdom here on earth.

Let us give thanks for your wisdom in seeing beyond our afflictions – our age, our physical condition, our boldness and fears – and using our open hearts to strengthen your presence among all your family.

Silence

Dear Lord, show us your way.

We ask, gracious Lord, that you teach us how to respect you, and through that respect, to follow your will and to praise your holy name. And teach us, O Lord, to set an example for those who follow us to you, including the children and our neighbors who watch how your love is made manifest in our lives each day.

Silence

Dear Lord, show us your way.

Show us, dear Lord, how to follow your law not only with our minds and bodies, but with our hearts and souls – obedience born of the righteousness of faith. Help us to accept what we cannot understand, knowing that your wisdom is so much greater than ours.
Help us to gladly give our lives totally to you.
In his holy name, we ask you to guide us, use us, lead us.

Silence

Dear Lord, show us your way.

We ask all these things in Christ’s Name, Amen.

Confession, Collects and Prayers: February 26, 2012 - First Sunday in Lent

Prayer of Confession

As we gather together in this season of Lent, as we prepare to retell the story of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, let us confess our sins before God and one another.  With our words of confession I will say, “Hear our prayer” and we will respond, “Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.”

Let us pray:  Gracious God, we confess today that we have not loved you with everything that we are.  We have more often done what is right in our own eyes than we have done your will.  We still often think that obedience is a matter of convenience rather than your gracious call to us.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Forgive us, Lord Jesus Christ, that we have ignored your words of law, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with all that we are.  Forgive us for looking away from the man standing on the corner with his sign.  Forgive us for ignoring the co-worker whose life is falling apart around her.  Forgive us for choosing to close our doors rather than stop and say hello to a neighbor.  Forgive us, Lord.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Forgive us for having rebelled against your love in every way.  Create in us clean hearts through the power of your Holy Spirit, and bind us to you forever more.  Free us from the shackles of ourselves, from the bonds we make out of our desire to be you.  Free us from the power of sin and death that we might be joyfully obedient to you in all that we say and do.

Hear our prayer.  Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

You have called us to you through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son.  Open our ears and give us the eyes to see you, so that we might share your story of grace and forgiveness with the world.  Let your great goodness bind our wandering hearts to you, in the name of Jesus, who was and is the Christ, and who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen.

Collect

To you, O Lord, we do lift up our souls,
We ask forgiveness for our sins
Lead us in your truth, and teach us your paths,
Let us be still to know Your will,
Give us Your heart to step out in faith,
Embracing the covenant vow you did make
Glory to God, rainbows shine bright,
Reminding us to fear not,
For our loving Lord draws near.    

Prayers of the People

Dear God, maker and redeemer, we lift up this prayer of the people
For we know you hear us, even when we don’t always sense your presence.

Lord, give us courage, Lord, give us strength,
During times of challenge to embrace true life
Make us like Jesus, who taught us to pray,
God is our maker, proclaim this today!

I believe, so help my unbelief.  (Mark 9:25)

The world’s peoples hunger for more than just food,
We all need forgiveness from self-centered rule,
Help leaders be humble, with hearts for their people.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Many churches they dwindle
While populations explode,
Too many turn inward yet yearn for a friend,
Help us to hear them and call out in Christ’s name.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Like tall trees that bend in the wind,
We lean on Jesus, our Savior and friend,
Trusting he’ll help us from our fears within,
Finding true life built on love, prayers and faith.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Help us remember, Lord, your covenant prayer
Looking to rainbows above us we share
Faith in Lord Jesus when flood waters rise,
Shield us with courage and the grace of your dove.

I believe, so help my unbelief.

Leader / Response:
Strong is the love embracing us,
And faithful our God, from morning to night.

Collects and Prayer: February 12, 2012 - Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

Collect
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our
Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News
of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive
the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Prayers of the People
God of healing and new life, we come to you, as Naaman approached the King, as the leper approached Jesus, longing to be made clean; longing to be restored, longing to be fully united with you and with one another.  With this deep longing in our hearts, we offer our prayers to you, saying, Loving God:
Hear our Prayer.

For your creation and for the faithful use of the good gifts you offer to us, Loving God:
Hear our prayer.

For the worshipping community in this place, and for all holy gatherings, Loving God:
Hear our prayer.

For the leaders of the nations, and all those in positions of power.  Pour into them your mercy, wisdom and a hunger for justice.  Loving God: Hear our prayer.

For those who are persecuted, hungry and the victims of violence, Loving God: Hear our prayer.

For the people who work to alleviate the suffering of humanity; for the peacemakers, the reconcilers -and all those that seek to right the wrongs and heal the hurts of your people. Loving God: Hear our prayer.

For those who diligently answer your call in small but powerful ways, Loving God: Hear our prayer.

For any who struggle to hear your call and discern where you are leading, Loving God: Hear our prayer.

For the sick, for those who mourn and for all those in need of your healing, Loving God: Hear our prayer.

For the dying and for all the saints who have gone before us, that they may find rest in your presence. Loving God: Hear our prayer.

Mercifully receive the prayers of your people, Loving God. Help us to see and understand the things we ought to do, and give us grace and power to do them; through Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Collects and Prayers - February 5, 2012 - Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Collect

You continually create a people for yourself, Almighty God, and gather them to you: Call us this morning and make your will known to us, that we might be a part of your family called “church” which bears your love into your creation.  Through your Son who called us in your name, and in the Holy Spirit who stirs our hearts anew, Amen.


Prayers of the People
Let us now respond to God’s Word with words of our own, our prayers spoken aloud to God and each other with the confidence of being heard.  After each portion of the prayer, we shall respond,  “Gracious Lord, where you go, we will go.”

We pray for your peace from above, for the welfare of your church and your people that we might be able to call your people “our people.”

Gracious Lord, where you go,
we will go.

We pray for the good earth which you have given us, and for the wisdom to preserve it.  We pray for all of your creation, for the goodness of your gifts which you have entrusted to us.

Gracious Lord, where you go,
we will go.

We pray for those who have less than we do, those whose lives know poverty as closely as we know abundance.  We pray that you would be a blessing to them in their poverty, that you would hear their cries of need, and that you would continue to invite us into your great work.

Gracious Lord, where you go,
we will go.

We pray for those unable to be with us today, either because of sickness or oppression or our own unwillingness to speak your good news to them.  We ask that you would lead us to them, using us to proclaim your word of salvation to them.

Gracious Lord, where you go,
we will go.

We pray for our community here in Brier Creek, that your word and your sacraments which we celebrate here in this place would be a light to these people, bringing them to you.

Gracious Lord, where you go,
we will go.

We ask that above all you would give us the ears to hear your call, to lead us where you would have us go, and that you would continue to invite us to come along with you.  Give us the courage to follow you, the desire to call your children our brothers and sisters, and the will to die to ourselves each day only to find life in you.  We pray all of these things in the name of your Son who calls each of us to be a part of your Kingdom.  Amen.