This prayer sheet is inspired by the July 2017 theme of the month: Water.
The prayers reference different aspects of water we find in the Bible, to help us connect with the giver of this gift that is so vital to our health and well-being, and to pray for those who thirst.
For personal use or to share.
A. CALL TO WORSHIP
(inspired by Isaiah 55:1-3)
Come to the water, all you who thirst,
come drink deeply from the river of life.
Come to the water, all you who are weary,
come rest in the quiet pools of God’s love.
Come to the water, all you who long for justice,
come be renewed in God’s ever-flowing stream.
For God is here among us,
washing away the dust and grime of our lives,
and pouring out the Spirit on all who thirst.
Let us worship God together.
B. PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(inspired by John 4:4-42)
God of living water,
we confess the dryness of our lives:
the brittle words we have thought and spoken . . .
the relationships that are crumbling . . .
the arid perspective that centres on self . . .
the cracked and jagged edges of our world . . .
Hear our confession, O Christ,
and rain down your mercy upon us.
C. ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Jesus says, “Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of living water.”
D. READING
E. LITANY: GOD OF THE WATERS
(inspired by Mark 1:4-11, Luke 3:21-22)
God of the waters – Water of birth,
moving us from safety into the world.
God of the waters – Water of connection,
engaging the playful Spirit,
the passionate Christ,
the challenging God.
God of the waters – Water of life,
sustaining, quenching, cleansing.
God of the waters – Water of trouble,
journeying us from here to there,
from the known to the unknown.
God of the waters.
Birth us. Connect us.
Live in us. Trouble us.
Amen.
F. PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
(inspired by Psalm 42)
Eternal defender of the poor and sad,
hear our prayers for all who suffer.
For those who are refugees,
exiles from home,
because of the cruelty of enemies
or the vagaries of nature.
For those who are starving
and whose tears are their only food.
For those who are desperate for a drink,
and who thirst for life-giving water.
For those who are sad and troubled,
whose hearts break for want of hope.
For those whose faith is weak,
who feel that God has abandoned them.
Protector of the weak,
be with all who need you today.
May they know that they are not forgotten.
Amen.
G. LET US PRAY
“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 41:17)
Let us pray …
H. BENEDICTION
(based on Matthew 14:22-33)
Friends, Jesus calls us to step out on to the water with him,
to leave the safety of our boats, and to walk toward Him in faith,
joining Him in the work He is already doing in our world.
And when the wind and waves get high and threaten to overwhelm us,
we remember His words: “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.”
So let’s go with faith, to follow where Jesus leads,
confident that His love and presence go with us.
CREDITS
The following resources found on https://re-worship.blogspot.com/ and adapted for this prayer sheet:
A and H. https://re-worship.blogspot.com/
B and C. by Joanna Harader, and posted on http://spaciousfaith.com/
E. by Scott A. Ressman in Immerse Yourself: Elements for a Liturgy on Baptism of Christ Sunday. Posted on the United Church of Christ website.
F. by Rev. Adam J. Dillon, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
Prayer sheet prepared by Rev. Irene Bom, OLM in International Presbytery of the Church of Scotland.
Compiled for the Prayer Matters blog (July 2017), inspired by the theme of the month: Water
See also Tips for using a Prayer Sheet