Teach Us to Pray

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. Relying on the Spirit, let us pray for the needs of the world. God of Love, hear our prayers.

For your whole, nursing, hating world: Lead us in the ways of peace, especially in places where tyrants reign and people eat the bread of conflict every day. For your church, whose body is strong in some places and frail in others: Nourish your church in the world, Loving God, that those who are flourishing might proclaim your word with power, and those who are weak might be strengthened to do your word.

For your earth, that suffers at the hands of your own people: Pour out your healing mercy upon this planet and prod us to be worthy stewards of its beauty and its gifts, that in honoring the earth we may also honor you.

For those who suffer because of disease or injury, the addicted, the abused, the feeble, and the ill: Sooth our suffering and heal our wounds. Protect us from evil and calm our anxious hearts. Make us whole in you.

For those who are dying and the ones who care for them: Receive them into your arms of mercy and welcome them into the company of the saints in light.

For all whose burdens we carry in our hearts, and those known only to you: Bestow your good gifts as you see fit, supplying every need by the power of your Spirit. Accept all these prayers even as you teach us to pray through Jesus our guide in The Way. Amen.

God of Wisdom, you have given us the gift of your Holy Spirit. Overwhelm us with your love this day that through your Word we may know you more fully, love you more passionately, and follow you more closely; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

¹ He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ² So he said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come. ³ Give us each day our daily bread. ⁴ And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” ⁵ And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶ for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ ⁷ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. ⁹ “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹ Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? ¹² Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? ¹³ If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

What does it mean to pray without ceasing?

We have been invited by Jesus to follow his way of living in this world. We answer the invitation to take part in the work of God in the world, bringing our lives and the gifts of our labour to share our lives and our love with one another. Let us then return to God a portion of all that we have been blessed with this day. Amen.

Loving God, you are the giver of every good gift. Accept in return these gifts, that through them we may do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.

May the way of Jesus embolden you, the love of God surround you, and the Holy Spirit support you as you go forth to build the kin-dom of God. Amen.