A Prayer for Pentecost

O God, who at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

Read Full Post »

A Prayer for Confirmation

Faithful and gracious Lord, Thou has granted us the joy of beholding our son confess his faith in Thee, the only true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We beseech Thee to keep him faithful to Thee all the days of his life.

O Lord, we, too, dedicate our lives again to Thee and ask Thee to give us strength and grace to live closer to Thee, who has so graciously been with us throughout these many years. We confess that we have not always served Thee as we ought; forgive us and grant that we may walk daily in Thy presence as an example of Christian devotion and consecrated living to our son. Preserve and keep us in Thy grace, and make our home Thy dwelling place, where Thy Word governs our every thought, word, and deed.

O Lord, let this be a day of rejoicing to all who confess Thee. We ask this is Jesus’ name. Amen.

Taken from The Lutheran Book of Prayer, 1951

Read Full Post »

Prayer for Fifth Sunday of Lent

O Lord, our heavenly Father, we offer and present unto thee ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. Take us as we are and make us more fit for thy service. Use us for thyself and for the edification of thy Church. We are not our own, but thine, bought with a price; therefore claim us as thy right, keep us as thy charge, and use us as thou wilt, to the glory of thy holy name and the good of our fellow men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Methodist Book of Worship, 1965 – p. 108

Read Full Post »

Prayer for Fourth Sunday of Lent

O Father of mercies, whose beloved Son was crucified for us, the just for the unjust, to bring us to thee: Give grace, we beseech thee, to every member of this family to look in faith upon that cross, and to crucify himself upon it to every impure desire and unchristian temper.

May we learn in humble devotion to our Master’s service to deny ourselves daily, for his sake, and for one another’s sake, that we may follow him. Remove from us every corrupt and unfaithful affection.

May we never be afraid to do right and never dare to do wrong. And so, out of the good treasure of the heart may we ever be bringing forth good things to the praise and glory of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Methodist Book of Worship, 1965 – p. 108

Read Full Post »

Prayer for Third Sunday of Lent

O almighty God, who are a most strong tower to all those who put their trust in thee, to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth do bow and obey: Be now and evermore our defense, and make us know and feel that there is none other name under heaven given to man in whom and through whom we may receive health and salvation, but only the name of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

Read Full Post »

Prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent

Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas,

     let us prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning.

Let us hear, in lessons from Holy Scripture,

     how the prophets of Israel foretold

          that God would visit and redeem the waiting people.

Let us rejoice, in our carols and hymns,

     that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled.

Let us celebrate the promise that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

     will bring all peoples and all things

          into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom.

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk,

     the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,

     the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

But first, let us pray for the world that God so loves,

     for those who have not heard the good news of God,

     or who do not believe it;

     for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death;

     and for the Church in this place and everywhere,

          that it may be freed from all evil and fear,

          and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.

Amen.

(from the United Methodist Book of Worship)

Read Full Post »

Prayer for First Sunday in Advent

O God, who didst prepare of old the minds and hearts of men for the coming of thy Son, and whose Spirit ever worketh to illumine our darkened lives with the light of the Gospel: Prepare now our minds and hearts, we beseech thee, that Christ may dwell in us, and ever reign in our thoughts and affections as the King of love, and the very Prince of Peace. Grant this, we pray thee, for his sake. Amen.

from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

Read Full Post »