PROPER 17
Prayer
Psalms And Prayers For Congregational Participation
CALL TO WORSHIP
Sing the praises of God, raise a psalm to the hallowed name ... Be joyful, and exult before the Parent of the parentless, the Companion of the lonely, the One who makes a home for us all.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
HONEST GOD, IT IS SOMETIMES EASIER FOR US TO BE DEVIOUS THAN STRAIGHTFORWARD. WE MAY NOT TELL AN OUTRIGHT LIE BUT MAY AVOID DISCLOSING THE WHOLE TRUTH. WHEN WE ARE DISCOVERED AS NOT COMPLETELY TRUSTWORTHY, OUR RELATIONSHIPS BECOME MORE CAUTIOUS AND UNCOMFORTABLE. FORGIVE ANY PRETENSE AT BEING WHAT WE HAVE NOT YET BECOME. WE WANT TO HAVE THE REPUTATION OF BEING BOTH FAIR AND GENEROUS BEFORE WE HAVE FULLY ACHIEVED THESE VIRTUES. FORGIVE SUCH HYPOCRISY AND HELP US TO BECOME MORE LIKE YOUR TRUTHFUL AND TRUE SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the God News! Jesus is mediator of the new covenant, and his sprinkled blood will purify us and make us worthy of the company of the spirits of good people made perfect. Friends, believe the Good News. IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
As you have taken the place of humility in the confession of your sins, accept the invitation to the place of honor as one of God's children, and citizens of the heavenly city.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
GOD ABOVE ALL, HELP US TO RECEIVE SUCH HONORS AS COME TO US WITH MODESTY, AND TO BE SINCERE IN
HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OTHERS IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
GOD OF STRENGTH AND COMPASSION: WE REJOICE IN THE DOWNFALL OF THE WICKED AND THE HUMILIATION OF THE HAUGHTY. WE EXULT IN THE RAISING UP OF THE FALLEN AND THE RELEASE OF THE PRISONER. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE SPIRIT OF LOVE THAT INSPIRES YOUR PEOPLE TO MAKE A HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS AND PROVISION FOR THE POOR. WE ARE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE AS WE REMEMBER THE MANY GOOD THINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN US TO ENJOY IN A FRUITFUL LAND AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF SHARING OUR PLENTY WITH OTHERS. YOU ARE PATIENT AND KIND TO PREPARE US TO LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE IN THE HEAVENLY
CITY; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
LOVING GOD, INCREASE IN US THE KINDLINESS THAT IS BLESSED IN THE EXPERIENCE OF SHARING. USE OUR GIFTS TO START THE YOUNG ON THE RIGHT ROAD SO THAT EVEN IN OLD AGE THEY WILL NOT LEAVE IT. USE US ALSO TO CALL TO YOUR WAY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET FOUND IT OR HAVE WANDERED FROM IT; THROUGH ONE WHO IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
PSALM 15
Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
WHO MAY ABIDE UPON YOUR HOLY HILL?
Whoever leads a blameless life
AND DOES WHAT IS RIGHT,
Who speaks the truth from his heart.
THERE IS NO GUILE UPON HIS TONGUE;
he does no evil to his friend;
HE DOES NOT HEAP CONTEMPT UPON HIS NEIGHBOR.
In his sight the wicked is rejected,
BUT HE HONORS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD.
He has sworn to do no wrong
AND DOES NOT TAKE BACK HIS WORD.
He does not give his money in hope of gain,
NOR DOES HE TAKE A BRIBE AGAINST THE INNOCENT.
(ALL)
WHOEVER DOES THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER BE OVERTHROWN.
Sing the praises of God, raise a psalm to the hallowed name ... Be joyful, and exult before the Parent of the parentless, the Companion of the lonely, the One who makes a home for us all.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
HONEST GOD, IT IS SOMETIMES EASIER FOR US TO BE DEVIOUS THAN STRAIGHTFORWARD. WE MAY NOT TELL AN OUTRIGHT LIE BUT MAY AVOID DISCLOSING THE WHOLE TRUTH. WHEN WE ARE DISCOVERED AS NOT COMPLETELY TRUSTWORTHY, OUR RELATIONSHIPS BECOME MORE CAUTIOUS AND UNCOMFORTABLE. FORGIVE ANY PRETENSE AT BEING WHAT WE HAVE NOT YET BECOME. WE WANT TO HAVE THE REPUTATION OF BEING BOTH FAIR AND GENEROUS BEFORE WE HAVE FULLY ACHIEVED THESE VIRTUES. FORGIVE SUCH HYPOCRISY AND HELP US TO BECOME MORE LIKE YOUR TRUTHFUL AND TRUE SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the God News! Jesus is mediator of the new covenant, and his sprinkled blood will purify us and make us worthy of the company of the spirits of good people made perfect. Friends, believe the Good News. IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE FORGIVEN.
EXHORTATION
As you have taken the place of humility in the confession of your sins, accept the invitation to the place of honor as one of God's children, and citizens of the heavenly city.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
GOD ABOVE ALL, HELP US TO RECEIVE SUCH HONORS AS COME TO US WITH MODESTY, AND TO BE SINCERE IN
HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OTHERS IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
GOD OF STRENGTH AND COMPASSION: WE REJOICE IN THE DOWNFALL OF THE WICKED AND THE HUMILIATION OF THE HAUGHTY. WE EXULT IN THE RAISING UP OF THE FALLEN AND THE RELEASE OF THE PRISONER. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE SPIRIT OF LOVE THAT INSPIRES YOUR PEOPLE TO MAKE A HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS AND PROVISION FOR THE POOR. WE ARE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE AS WE REMEMBER THE MANY GOOD THINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN US TO ENJOY IN A FRUITFUL LAND AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF SHARING OUR PLENTY WITH OTHERS. YOU ARE PATIENT AND KIND TO PREPARE US TO LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE IN THE HEAVENLY
CITY; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
LOVING GOD, INCREASE IN US THE KINDLINESS THAT IS BLESSED IN THE EXPERIENCE OF SHARING. USE OUR GIFTS TO START THE YOUNG ON THE RIGHT ROAD SO THAT EVEN IN OLD AGE THEY WILL NOT LEAVE IT. USE US ALSO TO CALL TO YOUR WAY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET FOUND IT OR HAVE WANDERED FROM IT; THROUGH ONE WHO IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, JESUS CHRIST. AMEN
PSALM 15
Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle?
WHO MAY ABIDE UPON YOUR HOLY HILL?
Whoever leads a blameless life
AND DOES WHAT IS RIGHT,
Who speaks the truth from his heart.
THERE IS NO GUILE UPON HIS TONGUE;
he does no evil to his friend;
HE DOES NOT HEAP CONTEMPT UPON HIS NEIGHBOR.
In his sight the wicked is rejected,
BUT HE HONORS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD.
He has sworn to do no wrong
AND DOES NOT TAKE BACK HIS WORD.
He does not give his money in hope of gain,
NOR DOES HE TAKE A BRIBE AGAINST THE INNOCENT.
(ALL)
WHOEVER DOES THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER BE OVERTHROWN.
