Prayers for the 4th Week after Pentecost (July 3-9, 2022)

a couple drilling nails into a deck

The watchword for the week:
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right. Galatians 6:9

Let us worship the One who created us, who has redeemed us, and who sustains us each day.
We seek to worship you, gracious God, with glad and generous hearts.
Let us give God all that is due.
Let us respond to God’s infinite love with the lives we live, the words we share, and the work we do. 

Psalm 66:1-9 

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of God’s name;
give to God glorious praise. 

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great power,
your enemies cringe before you. 

All the earth worships you;
    they sing praises to you,
sing praises to your name.” 

Come and see what God has done:
    God is awesome in deeds among mortals. 

God turned the sea into dry land;
    they passed through the river on foot. 

There we rejoiced in God, who rules forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations –
let the rebellious not exalt themselves. 

Bless our God, O peoples,
let the sound of God’s praise be heard,
who has kept us among the living,
and has not let our feet slip. 

Let us confess our Sins:

Creator God, Redeeming Savior, Sustaining Spirit, we humbly acknowledge your sovereignty over all of who we are. It is you who gave us life; it is you that forgives our sins; it is you who whispers in our souls and breathes new life into us. You are woven into the very fabric of our being. We confess the times that we hold back from you that which you deserve from us: the times that we have held tightly to our wallets instead of giving generously; the times when our mouths have uttered words that have caused damage instead of spreading grace; the times when decisions have been made for our gratification rather than seeking your will for our lives. For the times when we have grown weary of doing what is right, we humbly ask for your forgiveness. 

Our Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces and remove the disgrace of his people from the earth. In that day, we will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. Let us rejoice in his salvation.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

Take time to read today’s Daily Texts. If you do not have a copy of the Daily Texts, you will find today’s texts posted in the margin on your page’s right side (at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile phone). God speaks to us through the inspiration of scripture, so approach the opportunity to read the texts as a privilege, eagerly anticipating what might be conveyed to you today. How might today’s Word make a part of your life new again? When you have finished praying, continue as follows.

O Lord, hear us now as we brothers and sisters in Christ pray together.

Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world surrounding us. May the bread needed for today be made available for all who are hungry, and may you forgive us just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us, instead of the call of the world; take from us the self-centeredness of our society. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours, help us to lose ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find ourselves complete in giving ourselves to you, forever. Amen. 

You send us to bring good news to the oppressed,
and to bind the wounds of those broken in heart,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of prisons to those who are bound,
to announce the year of your grace,
to comfort all who mourn,
to give them a garland of consolation,
instead of the ashes of mourning,
the oil of gladness and healing,
and the rolling tears that wash away sorrow.
So may we be called oaks of righteousness,
trees that you plant to shade and sustain.
As the earth puts forth its blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so you make justice flower,
and bear its fruit of peace among the peoples.
Lord of the dance, in whom we live and move and exult for joy, guide our steps through the complexity of our lives.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love for us and how we can make that love come alive in the hearts of those we love, serve, and come in contact with this very day. AMEN.