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I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Father of mercy and grace, we acknowledge that we have sinned and that our world is gripped by the power of sin. *
Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred, and violence.
We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land. We mourn all loss of life in murder, war and terrorism. *
Our homes are broken and our churches are divided by rebellion and pride. Our lives are polluted by selfishness, greed, idolatry and sexual sin.
We have grieved Your heart and brought shame to Your name. Have mercy on us as we repent with all our hearts. *
God of mercy, forgive our sins, pour out Your grace and heal our land.
- Global Day of Prayer 2009
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 – 5 minutes)
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Scriptural Theme
You will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying Luke 1:67-80 (New International Version)
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us -- to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. *
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Response to the Scripture
Lord, purify our hearts that we may look with joy on your coming.
Draw near to God’s throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart
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The Spirit and the Bride say *
“Come!”
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
You will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
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Ending Prayer
God, use our voices and our experiences to bring glory to you and draw people toward love for you and deeper love for one another. Build your church in all the ways you intend. We repent for all the ways we’ve made and remade the institution of religion in our own image and for our own power and glory. Use us in this time to bring new paradigms to our national narrative, bringing your kingdom to Earth as it is in Heaven.
Bring healing to all the broken places. Tear down the unjust systems. Show the darkness for what it is, wherever it is. Bring together every tongue and tribe and nation of people – we are already assembled physically here in America – but your church is not living it out. We desire the radical togetherness only you can bring. *
We feel, deep in our souls, that there is a more beautiful, higher, deeper way to be your people. If we don’t share this, what good is it to have? We ask you, God, to use us to reshape the Church in this time. Conform us more and more to your will and the ways of Jesus. Restore and bring forth the beauty of your people as we love you and love one another, with no limits on who is the “one another.” We desire what you desire. Reveal it to us, by your supernatural power.
- Joel Searby
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
( Adapted by Christ the Reconciler from Season 4: Lent Bridge Prayer – “The Joy of Repentance” )