Prayers for Sunday April 22, 2001

Second Sunday of Easter

Invocation or Call to Worship (Based on Ps 32)

Let us have the gift of simplicity today. Let us delight that we are here and that we see this light. We who gather have some second thoughts; we know this is a low Sunday, one where doubt and fear do make an appearance. But simplify us, even our doubts, and let us be here in this season, the one after Easter but not after Resurrection.

Prayer of Confession

From our doubts that we dare not confront, O God, release us.
From our isolation, release us.
From the way we shut down so as not to risk any more, chasten us.
From our indolence wake us up. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

What looks like "just money" is actually much more. It is a symbol of what we do with our days and our talents. It is a return on our indebtedness to You. And it is by Your grace that we are able to give it. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Call us, O God, over the tumult, and sound a note clear enough for highway and byway, computer hum and watch alarm, children's chatter and coffee break gossip. Tune us in to the deeper meanings of all these noises. Let us not ignore them but rather let us hear them as part of Your world. When we return tonight to our rest, let there be peace in it. The peace that not only passes understanding but also is understanding.

Hear our prayer for all who have lost hope, for all who touch wounds and feel only blood and see nothing more. For those with cancer and AIDS, for those living in repressive countries, for those who can't tell anyone their sexual orientation, for all who have lost energy, whose knees and backs have gone. Be present to them the way You stood with Thomas. And there, as is Your want and way, dispense hope. And let us help you.

We ask you to be with all that are confused not only by there inner voices and inner problems but the problems that are blasted at us by print, video and sound. We pray for all in Jesus' name, Amen.