Loving Father,
We thank you for speaking to us tonight through the parable of the prodigal son, and for opening our hearts and minds to the reality that like the son(s), we turn away from your embracing love.
We choose instead to fulfill our own desires. We neglect your goodness, we take for granted your blessings, and we misuse the many things you have entrusted to us. We are captivated by the temporary pleasures of this world, lured by wealth and comfort. We live preoccupied lives, distant and isolated from one another and you.
We praise you loving Father, for even though we walk away from you in selfishness and pride, you await us, your children, with open arms. You do not distance yourself from us, but you reach out to us and to all of your creation through Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again, so that we might be reconciled to you. We were once dead, but are now alive; we were once lost, but are now found.
Holy Spirit,
Guide our hearts, our minds, and our entire beings towards your message of love and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Comfort and heal our brokenness and loneliness. Turn us away from our selfish and preoccupied lives, and towards joy and fulfillment. Lift us out of darkness and confusion, into your clear, warm, and beautiful light. Counsel us away from deception; straighten our paths. Open our hearts, and give us faith to entrust control of our lives to Jesus.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the events at our parish this upcoming week. Father, strengthen and sustain the speakers, the organizers, and those who have offered time and service. Enable us to love one another, show genuine hospitality to our visitors, and provide a safe space for everyone to encounter your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Finally, on this Mother’s Day we give thanks for all the mothers who diligently, faithfully, and lovingly serve their families. Bless them, encourage them, and grant them peace of heart and mind in all their tasks, whether in the marketplace or at home.
We pray these things in a spirit of thanksgiving; worshipping, praising, and adoring you, loving Father, precious Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
_____
We thank you for speaking to us tonight through the parable of the prodigal son, and for opening our hearts and minds to the reality that like the son(s), we turn away from your embracing love.
We choose instead to fulfill our own desires. We neglect your goodness, we take for granted your blessings, and we misuse the many things you have entrusted to us. We are captivated by the temporary pleasures of this world, lured by wealth and comfort. We live preoccupied lives, distant and isolated from one another and you.
We praise you loving Father, for even though we walk away from you in selfishness and pride, you await us, your children, with open arms. You do not distance yourself from us, but you reach out to us and to all of your creation through Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again, so that we might be reconciled to you. We were once dead, but are now alive; we were once lost, but are now found.
Holy Spirit,
Guide our hearts, our minds, and our entire beings towards your message of love and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Comfort and heal our brokenness and loneliness. Turn us away from our selfish and preoccupied lives, and towards joy and fulfillment. Lift us out of darkness and confusion, into your clear, warm, and beautiful light. Counsel us away from deception; straighten our paths. Open our hearts, and give us faith to entrust control of our lives to Jesus.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the events at our parish this upcoming week. Father, strengthen and sustain the speakers, the organizers, and those who have offered time and service. Enable us to love one another, show genuine hospitality to our visitors, and provide a safe space for everyone to encounter your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Finally, on this Mother’s Day we give thanks for all the mothers who diligently, faithfully, and lovingly serve their families. Bless them, encourage them, and grant them peace of heart and mind in all their tasks, whether in the marketplace or at home.
We pray these things in a spirit of thanksgiving; worshipping, praising, and adoring you, loving Father, precious Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
_____
Evening Service Prayer at St. John’s Church, based on a sermon by Rico Tice: Lost and Found: Where are You? (Luke 15:11-32).
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