Prayers for Sunday January 14, 2001
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Invocation or Call to Worship (Based on Isaiah 62:1-5)

Leader: The day is coming when God's vindication will shine, and God's salvation will stand out like a burning torch.
People: The nations will see the proof of God, and every leader will see the true leader.
Leader: And we will be called by a new name, a name that the Lord will give us.
People: Just as a groom rejoices over his bride, so will our God rejoice over us. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, You are the giver of every perfect gift. You grant us more than we can begin to count. Yet so often we fail to use those gifts. We instead abuse Your gifts. Instead of using our mouths to offer wisdom and support, we speak evil. Instead using our talents to bring about unity, we create divisions. Instead of working for hope and healing, we inflict pain and hurt. Instead of thinking of others we can not see beyond ourselves. Lord of mercy, forgive our sin. Bind us together in Your Spirit. Help us live as one people. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Eternal Lord, all that we have are gifts from You. Show us how to use our time, our talents, and our treasure. Help us always build up the church, which is Your body in the world. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

O God of the Giver of all, we come not knowing. Not knowing how many of Your gifts are around us. Not knowing how often You give us things. Not knowing that at any moment a new gift will come our way.

Holy God, You are indeed a God of abundance. We pray this day for all those who doubt Your ability to provide. Satisfy the needs of those in our world who hunger and thirst. Send forth hope upon those who are troubled in spirit. And bring about reconciliation where conflicts have caused divisions.

Bind us together as Your one people. Fill us with Your Spirit that we may walk each day, hand in hand with our brothers and sisters. Fill our lives with gratitude for all you set before us. Help us to glimpse just a few of Your many gifts in our lives.

We ask these things in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.