1st Quarter - Year A- Issue of WorshipAid
December, January and February (2001-2002)

Prayers for January 20, 2002

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 40:1-11)

Leader: Wait patiently for the Lord; God will listen to our prayers and will answer.

People: God has given us a new song to sing. Let us join in offering our praise to God, so that others may come and put their trust in the Lord.

Leader: Happy are all who put their trust in the Lord.

People: O Lord, do not hold back Your mercy from us. Let Your steadfast love and faithfulness protect us forever.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, in baptism You claimed us and called us by name. You invite us to be Your disciples, serving You through our words and through our deeds. But we give up on ourselves too quickly. We see the pressing needs that are all around us, and we feel overwhelmed. We look at ourselves, and we figure that we lack the skills and resources needed to succeed. We gaze at the obstacles placed in front of us, and we conclude that they are insurmountable. Holy Lord, forgive our lack of faith. Lead us to understand that we are able to serve You, not because of our own worthiness and wisdom, but because of Your faithfulness and friendship. In the name of Christ our Savior we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Bountiful God, You provide for us beyond measure. You fill us to overflowing with spiritual blessings. You satisfy our physical needs in abundance. You equip us with all that is necessary to be Your chosen servants. Receive now our gifts as a sign of our gratitude and as a sign of our willingness to heed Your call. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Eternal Lord, You choose us and call us to serve You. But like Abraham, we focus on our inadequacies. Like Moses, we look for excuses. Like Jonah, we flee from You. Like Isaiah, we sense our unworthiness. Like Mary, we feel overwhelmed. From the beginning of our lives, You have created us for a purpose—to serve You and to glorify Your holy name. Give us the courage, O God, to fulfill our calling.

God of goodness and mercy, You may not be calling us to be the parents of a great nation. But show us how we can live as faithful citizens in this nation. You may not be calling us to free slaves from bondage. But reveal to us how we can bring liberty to those who are oppressed in other ways. You may not be calling us to proclaim Your word to a distant people. But teach us how to speak Your Word in our own community. You may not be calling us to be Your prophets. But disclose to us the message that You would have us proclaim. You may not send us angel visitants. But open our eyes, so that we may see the ways that You are speaking to us each day. We ask all these things in the name of our Lord and Master. Amen.