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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
Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying Isaiah 57:14-21 (New International Version)
"Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people." For this is what the high and exalted One says -- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: *
"I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry, for then they would faint away because of me -- the very people I have created. I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel's mourners, creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the Lord. "And I will heal them." But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked.
Response to the Scripture
Holy God, our Father, you dwell with the humble and contrite. Give us the grace to humble our hearts so that You will come and revive them.
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. *
Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.
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” )