Prayers for Sunday February 18, 2001
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Invocation or Call to Worship

Leader: The world says, "Hate your enemies."
People: Jesus says, "Love those who hate you."
Leader: The world says, "Get even."
People: Jesus says, "Forgive, just as you have been forgiven."
Leader: The world says, "Look out for yourself."
People: Jesus says: "Look out for those who can't look out for themselves." Amen.

Prayer of Confession

God of mercy, we confess that we are not quick to forgive. We know we are good at resenting. When someone cuts us off in traffic, we do not utter words of kindness. When someone brushes against us at the store, we often look at them with an angry stare, rather than a look of understanding. We lend a book to a friend, and we become annoyed when it is not quickly returned. We are able to find so many reasons to resent other people and to stay angry at them. But You, O Lord, have the most reasons to remain angry at us, yet You choose not to do so. Help us to learn from Your example. Enable us to grow toward that perfect mercy. In the name of our Savior we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Creator God, You love us even when there is nothing in us worthy of love. You forgive us before we are not even sorry. You provide for all our needs, regardless of how undeserving we are. Help us to not count the cost. Help us to give without first calculating whether the person receiving is worthy. And in doing so, may we grow in the likeness of our Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Almighty God, every day we are faced with so many difficult choices about how to respond to situations that confront us. We feel like a contestant on a game show, not quite sure what option to select. When we ask those seated around us for their opinions, we are often confused by the muddled reactions that we get. Sometimes we look to You, O Lord, to shrink the number of alternatives that are before us, so that our decision might be made easier. Yet so often in our times of dilemma, we forget that the final answer is to be found with You.

So where there is hatred, bring healing. Where there is anger, bring acceptance. Where there is prejudice, bring peace. Where there is cursing, bring caring. Where there is malice, bring mercy. Where there is panic, bring calm. Where there is fear, bring audacity. In the name of Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.