MICAH 6.8: Proper 20B/Ordinary 25B/Pentecost 18

		Proper 20B/Ordinary 25B/Pentecost 18 September 19, 2021 FOR POETRY PEW CLICK HERE FOR A BEAD AND A PRAYER CLICK HERE A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP —Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose—
		Centering In Preparation Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; in your eternal love, now and for ever. Amen. Call to Worship O God, who lifts us up, reside in our hearts today. Help us to listen closely for your word to us. Remind us that you are always with us, throughout all of our lives. Give us confidence in your presence, so that we may go into your world ready to witness to your love through our works and our deeds— all to your honor and glory. Amen. Prayer of Gathering Gather us, O God, into the household of grace, the fold of your love. We recognize your holy presence, and are turned to toward a new day in you. Help us to face this day, and all of our days, with the hope and promise made full for us in your precious love. Blessed are You and blessed is your Kin-Dom forevermore. Amen. Prayer For Worship Loving God, hold us close when we fear or do not understand the way before us. Open us to the ones who await your welcome through us. May our own frailty make us more gracious, and may we rejoice that in caring for others, we welcome you. Amen. —Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B Prayer of Adoration To whom shall we turn for wisdom, when you are the source of everything wise? To whom shall we turn for mercy, when you are the source of the love that we seek? To whom shall we turn for compassion and peace, when hearts are low and our faith is so weak? To the one who is the source of everything we seek; to you, dear God, we turn. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (adapted) Prayer of Preparation Who is the greatest among us? Who is the wisest? Who is the most righteous? Who is the most precious? These are earthly questions, human questions. But in your eyes, O God, all are precious. Through the work of grace, all may be made people of God. In the humility of the Spirit, all may find wisdom and true greatness. O great and wise God, the all righteous and most precious, receive our worship. Lead us to a deeper understanding of you as our Creator and of ourselves as your creation. Blessed are You and blessed is your Kin-Dom. now and forevermore. Amen. —Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. (adapted) Prayer For Illumination Your Word is our wisdom; it gives us insight, strength, and courage. Open our hearts and our minds on this day, that we might receive what you want to give. Speak, O God! Your people listen! Amen. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. Reading From the Hebrew Scriptures *Proverbs 31.10-31* A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who reveres God is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates. Psalmody *Psalm 1* Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of God most high, and on God's law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for God most high watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Epistle Reading *James 3. 13 - 4:3, 7-8a* Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. Gospel Reading *Mark 9. 30-37* They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Humankind is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Call to Confession Recognizing that we are easily swayed by the wrong advice and that we have strayed from the ways of God, let us confess our sins with the hope of finding love and mercy. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted) Prayer of Confession All-knowing God of fruition and fruitfulness, we crave being as wise and insightful as you, but walk in the worldly ways of foolishness and death. Forgive us. Empower us to let go of our intoxicated illusions of greatness to be embraced by grace. Help us to lift up our hands as a child lifts theirs in need and surrender to a loving parent. You, O God of Wisdom and wonder, are great. You rain down grace upon all who humbly welcome Your seeds of purity, kindness, sincerity, integrity, gentleness and peace planted in their hearts. Watered by streams of living waters, nourished with Your love break us open to reveal the rich harvest of compassion, justice and joy in love and service to You and one another. Amen. —Dawn Roucka, revgalblogspal.org Prayer of the Day God of the first and the last, give us strength of mind, that we might walk the path of obedience and discipleship without wasting our time thinking about who is more important. Instead, guide our thoughts and our emotions that we may be like children, totally dependent on you, welcoming all with hospitality and love. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted) Credo We believe that faith is possible, because God is trustworthy. We believe that hope is possible, because God is redeeming. We believe that love is possible, because God is reconciling. We believe that peace is possible, because God is recreating. We believe that justice is possible, because God is liberating. We believe that all things are possible, because God is transforming. We believe, O God, help our unbelief. Prayer of Intercession Friends, draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. With open and humble hearts, let us pray: Give to your Church, O God, wisdom from above. Through your Word read and proclaimed, and through your Word incarnate, you give us the direction we need and show us that there is nowhere else to go but to you with our joys and our concerns. May your Word and Wisdom be alive in us. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† We pray for our world that too often follows the advice of wickedness that leads to war, to violence, to conflict between ethnicities, to fear. Let us be known as people of peace, gentleness, and mercy. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† Lover of souls, we pray for all women and girls around the world. Far too often, women who, as payment for their devotion and love as capable wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, mothers, receive rejection, abuse, heartbreak, and hate. May those who have been oppressed and ignored walk with strength and dignity. We thank you, O God, for women as we honor them and their plight for equality and the freedom to choose for themselves. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† We pray for our children who have been called the first in God’s heart and Kin-Dom but are not welcomed, loved, heard, or spoken to. For those whose exploitation keep them in deep suffering, lives of pain, and the agony that is known deep within the hearts and minds of those who care for the needs of our young ones. May children be respected and included in the dignity of their God-given love. May their innocense be protected rightfully. May no one do harm to a child or mislead their children. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† We pray for relationships that are broken by conflicts and dispute, by murder and deceit, and that cannot find a way back to restoration and healing. We pray for families and people who are divided and isolated by political stance. We pray for those who are led astray by deception, confusion, and misguidedness. May truth be told and may truth be known. When conflict arises, may all be well enough to agree to disagree, to honor each others choices. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† O God, we pray for this earth, our mortal home. May we not be anxious about earthly things, but give us hope that you are refreshing the resources that we have exploited and misused. May our life be a living witness to the stewardship of the earth as you have given us. Help us to make the decision and share the actions that will address the issues of climate change and the destruction of earth's bounty. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† *† James 4.3—"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures."* —(combining and adapting prayers from) Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion [and] Williamson, Jeremiah D. Praying the Scriptures: Litanies for Sunday Worship. *[AND/OR]* Gracious and loving God, we come to you with hearts that need to be opened to your word and your love. There is so much around us that tears at us and causes us to tremble. Keep us ever mindful of your presence and the hope that you have given us. Guide us, we pray, as your church, struggling to spread the good news. Keep us focused on the mission and ministry to which you have called us and lead us forward. We know, O God, that there will often be bumps and holes in the road along the way. Save us from dwelling on them and make us secure in the goals you have placed before us. Hear our prayers for all who need your tender touch of healing in their lives— those we name before you each day, and those who are known only to you in the depths of our hearts. Be with those who mourn. May we all remember the love and grace that your faithful people have brought to our world. We pray for all your creation, always at odds with one another. Guide our leaders and those of other nations that this world might truly be as you created it to be—a world of peace, hope and love. These are our prayers, together with those that lie on the hearts of all your faithful people— now and forevermore. Amen. Prayer of Jesus (paraphrase) O God, like a mother and a father love their children, such is your love for us. O God, of Name most holy, we praise you and give you thanks. Your realm come, your will be done; here on earth as it is in heaven. Provide for us in this day 'til we have no want. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Test us not but free us from all things evil. For yours is the Kin-Dom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. —by the author Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication Loving God, You cherish the humble above the proud, and bless those who put others first, taking their example from that of their Teacher. You turn around the values of this world and invite us to participate in a way of living where the first shall be last, the last shall be first, and the blessed in the Kin-Dom will be servants of all. Thank you for the gift of courage, O God, to step out and dare to be different. —Birch, John. The Act of Prayer: Praying through the Lectionary. (adapted) Sending Forth Together we have worshiped. Together we stand ready to serve. May we be rooted in the Word of God. May we blossom with faith and good works. May we delight in God, and may God take delight in us. Amen. —Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. (adapted) Blessing With Dismissal May God, who watches over all the righteous, give you the gifts needed to be a capable servant. May the One, who welcomes everyone, give you the loving heart of a child so that you can welcome others unconditionally. May the Holy Spirit, who gives us the understanding we need to love God and to love others, give us unselfish and generous hearts, to heal relationships and to live in peace. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)
		POETRY PEW A Psalm in the time of COVID-19 –The Reverend Julia Seymour My heart has no joy, O Lord, For it is weighed down with imprecations. I struggle to feel anything but contempt For those who spread lies, who conceal the truth, Who reject the opportunities to help others. I lament the truth of history, Wherein people have been treated worse than animals, Making persons in the present rightly distrustful and apprehensive Because their ancestors died in the experiments of mine. Overwhelmed, I am prostrate in front of my prayer candle Bearing the image of St. Dolly of Tennessee, For I am terrified for my immune compromised child, Who is too young to be vaccinated and Too young to perceive the callousness of her community, Wherein those who could choose to reject vaccination. I cannot forget that the world is full of others who have not yet had a chance at vaccination. While I live in a place that debates boosters or third doses, It remains true that others have yet to have shots in their communities, Adding to their reasons for distrust of those who make promises With no followthrough, except to bring grief. I do not have the bravery of the writer of Psalm 137, Who knew how to write a sharp closing line with honesty. I cannot utter such a thing, even in my heart. But I do have some desire for vengeance, for just desserts, For reprisals, for satisfactions. Something like the biting of a million fire ants until their hearts are softened. Something like haunting dreams until they are persuaded. Something like an itchy bottom in a public place until they repent. Speaking of hardened hearts… I suppose mine isn’t exactly pliable in this matter. I am so angry, God. So angry. And you know better than I do all that is cloaked in that anger. Once again, my imprecations become a plea for mercy. Mercy as you see fit. Mercy in your love. Mercy in tangible ways in our own time. Amen. https://revgalblogpals.org/2021/09/17/friday-prayer-72 (The Reverend Julia Seymour serves Big Timber Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Big Timber, MT. She blogs at lutheranjulia.blogspot.com and readsallthethings.com. She contributed to There’s A Woman in the Pulpit and is President of the board of RevGalBlogPals, Inc.) Child, Child —Sara Teasdale Child, child, love while you can The voice and the eyes and the soul of a (hu-)man, Never fear though it break your heart – Out of the wound new joy will start; Only love proudly and gladly and well Though love be heaven or love be hell. Child, child, love while you may, For life is short as a happy day; Never fear the thing you feel – Only by love is life made real; Love, for the deadly sins are seven, Only through love will you enter heaven. Who Shall Deliver Me —Christina Rossetti Who Shall Deliver Me? God strengthen me to bear myself; That heaviest weight of all to bear, Inalienable weight of care. All others are outside myself; I lock my door and bar them out The turmoil, tedium, gad-about. I lock my door upon myself, And bar them out; but who shall wall Self from myself, most loathed of all? If I could once lay down myself, And start self-purged upon the race That all must run! Death runs apace. If I could set aside myself, And start with lightened heart upon The road by all us overgone! God harden me against myself, This coward with pathetic voice Who craves for ease and rest and joys: Myself, arch-traitor to myself; My hollowest friend, my deadliest foe, My clog whatever road I go. Yet One there is can curb myself, Can roll the strangling load from me Break off the yoke and set me free.
		A BEAD AND A PRAYER CROSS Come gather in God’s wisdom and wonder. We delight in You, O God. With child-like awe, we draw near to watch and hear. Regale us with your living, loving laws so we might lead lives of compassion. On your unfolding paths of grace, take our hand, lead us into your future. Change us by your living Word and wise counsel, that our transformed hearts delight in you forever. We delight in You, O God. All of our days, we come to praise and honor Your greatness. Amen. —Dawn Roucka, revgalblogpals.org INVITATORY Triune God, we come to worship, always seeking, always full of wants and needs: We seek after wisdom, clarity, the respect of our community, happiness, knowledge. Scripture tells us that you want the same things for us. But when we look closely, and with an open heart, we learn that our understanding of wisdom, clarity, respect, happiness and knowledge differ from your teachings. Keep our hearts and minds open to hear the Truth of your Word, to discern how to respond faithfully, and then by our practices, by our way of living, make visible our understanding of the Truth. Amen. —Sarah Erickson, revgalblogspal.org CRUCIFORM God of love and goodness, today we celebrate the many ways in which your Spirit encourages and leads your people along the challenging pathway of Jesus. Be our strength, O God, and fill us with your wisdom and care. For those who teach, those who heal, those who parent, and for those who listen intently. For those who advocate, those who create art and beauty of any kind and for those who offer themselves without even trying. Be our strength, O God, and fill us with your wisdom and care. For those who provide aid, those who rebuild shattered communities and for those who dream of better worlds, speaking it into being. For those who legislate, keep the peace, put out fires, or simply offer a welcoming smile. Be our strength, O God, and fill us with your wisdom and care. For the world, we pray, O God. For its healing and growing up into the ways of love, we hope and yearn. And so, in small and significant ways, continue to use us. Continue to stand in the midst of us. Be our strength, O God, and fill us with your wisdom and care. —Seasons of the Spirit. Prayers for All Seasons: Based on The Revised Common Lectionary Yr. B. WEEK I *Proverbs 31.10-31* ■ A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. ■ She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant girls. ■ She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. ■ She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. ■ She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. ■ Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. ■ Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who reveres God is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates. CRUCIFORM All-knowing God of fruition and fruitfulness, we crave being as wise and insightful as you, but walk in the worldly ways of foolishness and death. Forgive us. Empower us to let go of our intoxicated illusions of greatness to be embraced by grace. Help us to lift up our hands as a child lifts theirs in need and surrender to a loving parent. You, O God of Wisdom and wonder, are great. You rain down grace upon all who humbly welcome Your seeds of purity, kindness, sincerity, integrity, gentleness and peace planted in their hearts. Watered by streams of living waters, nourished with Your love break us open to reveal the rich harvest of compassion, justice and joy in love and service to You and one another. Amen. —Dawn Roucka, revgalblogspal.org WEEK II *Psalm 1* ■ Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; ■ but their delight is in the law of God most high, and on God's law they meditate day and night. ■ They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, ■ and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. ■ The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. ■ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ■ for God most high watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. CRUCIFORM For the Church that we may be servants of one another, particularly of those in need, and thus bear witness to God’s love for everyone . . . For greater awareness that we may recognize our common humanity accompanying one another along the journey of life . . . For a spirit of humility that we may recognize all our gifts as gifts from God and our need for one another to become our fullest selves . . . For spiritual freedom that God will awaken us to our selfishness and disordered desires that distract us and help us choose ways to be instruments of God’s mercy and compassion . . . For the grace of conversion that God will help us to curb our passions of envy and the desires to possess so that we will be free to live peaceably and with gratitude for all that God has given us . . . For a clearer recognition of healthy and unhealthy ambitions: that we may be aware of the motivations that stir our hearts and respond to those that lead us closer to God and toward greater wholeness . . . For all leaders in the Christian Community that God will guide them toward fuller discipleship through practicing self-sacrificing service in their ministry and the lives . . . For the poor and powerless in our society that we may hear their voices, understand their pain, and humbly walk alongside them through life's challenges . . . For all who have been impacted by hurricanes, floods, or wildfires: that God will strengthen them, remove the obstacles which they encounter, and guide them to the assistance that they need . . . For the members of Congress that God will give them wisdom and insight as they address the budgetary and infrastructure issues before them . . . For healing and strength that the Good News of the dying and rising of Jesus may bring hope to the sick and strength to those who care for them . . . For healing amongst the daughters and sons of Sarah and Abraham that God will heal the wounds and misunderstandings, and bring greater cooperation amongst followers of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity . . . For greater recognition of the harm being done to the earth: that world leaders and each of us may take meaningful steps to curtail the environmental damage of the planet and work to protect the poor and vulnerable from its effects . . . For Refugees and Immigrants that those who have fled violence and starvation may find safety, new communities of acceptance, and the resources needed for life . . . For the unemployed and those facing evictions that God will guide them to beneficial resources, help them to maintain their housing and family life, and open new opportunities for them to use their talent . . . —Joe Milner WEEK III *James 3. 13 - 4:3, 7-8a* ■ Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. ■ Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. ■ For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. ■ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. ■ Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. ■ You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. ■ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. CRUCIFORM Who is the greatest among us? Who is the wisest? Who is the most righteous? Who is the most precious? These are earthly questions, human questions. But in your eyes, O God, all are precious. Through the work of grace, all may be made people of God. In the humbleness of the Spirit, all may find wisdom and true greatness. O great and wise God, the all righteous and most precious, receive our worship. Lead us to a deeper understanding of you as our Creator and of ourselves as your creation. Blessed are You and blessed is your Kin-Dom. now and forevermore. Amen. —Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. (adapted) WEEK IV *Mark 9. 30-37* ■ They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ■ "The Son of Humankind is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." ■ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. ■ Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" ■ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. ■ He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." ■ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." CRUCIFORM Friends, draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. With open and humble hearts, let us pray: Give to your Church, O God, wisdom from above. Through your Word read and proclaimed, and through your Word incarnate, you give us the direction we need and show us that there is nowhere else to go but to you with our joys and our concerns. May your Word and Wisdom be alive in us. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† We pray for our world that too often follows the advice of wickedness that leads to war, to violence, to conflict between ethnicities, to fear. Let us be known as people of peace, gentleness, and mercy. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† Lover of souls, we pray for all women and girls around the world. Far too often, women who, as payment for their devotion and love as capable wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, mothers, receive rejection, abuse, heartbreak, and hate. May those who have been oppressed and ignored walk with strength and dignity. We thank you, O God, for women as we honor them and their plight for equality and the freedom to choose for themselves. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† We pray for our children who have been called the first in God’s heart and Kin-Dom but are not welcomed, loved, heard, or spoken to. For those whose exploitation keep them in deep suffering, lives of pain, and the agony that is known deep within the hearts and minds of those who care for the needs of our young ones. May children be respected and included in the dignity of their God-given love. May their innocense be protected rightfully. May no one do harm to a child or mislead their children. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† We pray for relationships that are broken by conflicts and dispute, by murder and deceit, and that cannot find a way back to restoration and healing. We pray for families and people who are divided and isolated by political stance. We pray for those who are led astray by deception, confusion, and misguidedness. May truth be told and may truth be known. When conflict arises, may all be well enough to agree to disagree, to honor each others choices. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† O God, we pray for this earth, our mortal home. May we not be anxious about earthly things, but give us hope that you are refreshing the resources that we have exploited and misused. May our life be a living witness to the stewardship of the earth as you have given us. Help us to make the decision and share the actions that will address the issues of climate change and the destruction of earth's bounty. ʀ We have asked wrongly before, O God; May this request be in peace and justice. (James 4.3)† *† James 4.3—"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures."* —(a combining and adapting of prayers from) Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion [and] Williamson, Jeremiah D. Praying the Scriptures: Litanies for Sunday Worship. *[AND/OR]* Gracious and loving God, we come to you with hearts that need to be opened to your word and your love. There is so much around us that tears at us and causes us to tremble. Keep us ever mindful of your presence and the hope that you have given us. Guide us, we pray, as your church, struggling to spread the good news. Keep us focused on the mission and ministry to which you have called us and lead us forward. We know, O God, that there will often be bumps and holes in the road along the way. Save us from dwelling on them and make us secure in the goals you have placed before us. Hear our prayers for all who need your tender touch of healing in their lives— those we name before you each day, and those who are known only to you in the depths of our hearts. Be with those who mourn. May we all remember the love and grace that your faithful people have brought to our world. We pray for all your creation, always at odds with one another. Guide our leaders and those of other nations that this world might truly be as you created it to be—a world of peace, hope and love. These are our prayers, together with those that lie on the hearts of all your faithful people— now and forevermore. Amen. INVITATORY Gracious and loving God, we come to you with hearts that need to be opened to your word and your love. There is so much around us that tears at us and causes us to tremble. Keep us ever mindful of your presence and the hope that you have given us. Guide us, we pray, as your church, struggling to spread the good news. Keep us focused on the mission and ministry to which you have called us and lead us forward. We know, O God, that there will often be bumps and holes in the road along the way. Save us from dwelling on them and make us secure in the goals you have placed before us. Hear our prayers for all who need your tender touch of healing in their lives— those we name before you each day, and those who are known only to you in the depths of our hearts. Be with those who mourn. May we all remember the love and grace that your faithful people have brought to our world. We pray for all your creation, always at odds with one another. Guide our leaders and those of other nations that this world might truly be as you created it to be—a world of peace, hope and love. These are our prayers, together with those that lie on the hearts of all your faithful people— now and forevermore. Amen. —Drescher, John. Invocations and Benedictions for the Revised Common Lectionary. (adapted) CROSS May God, who watches over all the righteous, give you the gifts needed to be a capable servant. May the One, who welcomes everyone, give you the loving heart of a child so that you can welcome others unconditionally. May the Holy Spirit, who gives us the understanding we need to love God and to love others, give us unselfish and generous hearts, to heal relationships and to live in peace. —Long, Kim. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion. (adapted)