Prayers for Sunday May 6, 2001

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Invocation or Call to Worship (Based on Ps 23)

God our shepherd, You provide for all our needs. You lead us beside the still waters, and You map out the paths of righteousness. Help us in this time of worship to hear Your loving and quiet voice that we, Your flock, may follow. You dwell in Your house forever. So we come in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Holy God, You are the Good Shepherd. But instead of partaking of the lush, green fields of nourishment that You provide, we turn aside and consume those things that do not truly satisfy us. We feed upon violence, viciousness, and vulgarity. We devour resentment, rumors, and revenge. You offer us the peaceful waters that are able to restore our souls. But we imbibe from the fountain of anger, acrimony, and apathy. Lord of mercy, forgive our wandering ways. Draw us back into your fold, so that we partake of Your blessings now and forever. In the name of Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Almighty God, use us to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, and to provide shelter to the homeless. Through the simple gifts we have to offer, work through us to give the world around us a vision of Your coming Kingdom, when none will be in need. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly King, we live in a world where there are so many dire needs. The stomachs of children growl in hunger. An old woman in the nursing home holds out her lonely hand, but no one is there to hold it. A young man is diagnosed with a disease for which there is no cure. Our hearts break, and we wonder if You really care.

Even so, we lift our voices with the heavenly chorus and declare, "Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!" We trust that the day is coming when there will be no more hunger. We trust that the day is coming when there will be no more thirst. We trust that the day is coming when the sun will not strike us, for we will be safely within the shelter of Your embrace. Until that day comes, embolden us to walk in faith, trusting that you are our Savior now and forevermore. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.