This prayer sheet is inspired by a recurring theme in Scripture: the phrase, “Rejoice in the Lord”.
For personal use or to share.
A. CALL TO WORSHIP
(inspired by Zephaniah 3:14-20)
Good news! The Holy One, God Almighty,
claims us as His very own!
Rejoice in the Lord!
Good news!
The times of trouble are nearly over!
Rejoice in the Lord, always!
Good news!
God is in our midst,
ready to renew us with holy love!
Rejoice in the Lord, always!
Again we say rejoice!
Good news! Good news!
The peace of the Lord
will dwell in our hearts!
We lift up our hearts in thanksgiving.
Thanks be to God!
B. SONG
You have turned my sorrow
into joyful dancing
I’m no longer sad, or feeling upset.
I thank you from my heart
and I will never stop singing your praises,
my Lord and my God.
I will sing and dance, sing and dance
Sing and dance to the Lord
I will sing and dance, sing and dance
Sing and dance to the Lord.
C. PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of rainbows and puddles,
Lover of snow showers and clear blue skies,
we confess to you and to one another
the many ways we fail to live the lives you want for us.
We make ourselves busy with many things,
and neglect to listen to your voice.
All too often we see the worst in the world around us,
and look past your signs of hope.
We are quick to voice our dissent with one another,
and refuse to see your face in the persons with whom we disagree.
We focus on our own hurts, anger, and disappointments,
and close our hearts to your transforming grace.
O Holy Light of the world, forgive us.
Open our eyes to your endless possibilities.
Give us courage to listen for your call to us.
Take our hearts of stone,
and make them new again with your holy love.
Amen.
D. READING
E. A PSALM OF CELEBRATION
(loosely inspired by Psalm 118)
Though we have known hardship and pain,
though life has not always turned out as we had hoped,
we will stand here and say:
God’s steadfast love endures for ever!
Though life becomes more complex,
the deepest questions remain unanswered,
and the mystery of faith deepens, we will say:
God’s steadfast love endures for ever!
And though the pain of the world
often seems more than we can bear or address,
we will stand firm in our faith and say:
God’s steadfast love endures for ever!
F. LET US PRAY
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” (Psalm 33:20-22)
Let us pray …
G. BENEDICTION
(inspired by Phil 4:4-7, Zeph 3:14-20)
Go now and rejoice in the Lord always.
Do not be afraid or worried about anything,
but in everything trust God and pray.
Bear fruits worthy of repentance,
sharing what you have and being gentle with all.
And may God rejoice over you with gladness;
May Christ Jesus renew you in his love;
and may the Holy Spirit give you peace beyond understanding
to guard your hearts and minds in Christ.
We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
In the name of Christ.
Amen.
CREDITS
Song. by Irene Bom https://sendusafriend.bandcamp.com/track/you-have-turned-my-sorrow
A. by Rev. Nancy J, https://ruminari.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/advent-3c-call-to-worship/
C. by Rev. Nancy J, https://ruminari.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/prayer-of-confession-transfiguration/
E. by Ann Siddall, http://stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/
G. by Nathan Nettleton, http://www.laughingbird.net
Prayer sheet prepared for the Prayer Matters blog by Rev. Irene Bom, OLM in International Presbytery of the Church of Scotland, inspired by the blog’s theme of the month for May 2019, “Joyful”.
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