2nd Quarter - Year A- Issue of WorshipAid
March, April and May (2002)

Prayers for March 3, 2002

3rd Sunday of Lent

Call to Worship (From Psalm 95)

Leader: O come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

People: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Leader: For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

People: In God's hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are God's also.

Leader: The sea is our Creator's, for God made it,

and the dry land, which God's hands have formed.

Prayer of Confession (Based on Psalm 95:7b-9)

Gracious and ever-patient God, we have seen your work in the life of our nation, church, and in our personal experiences, yet still, like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we complain and rebel against our lot. Unlike them, we have the gift of Jesus Christ and his cross that sheds meaning and brings hope to our own difficulties and suffering, but we nonetheless fail to understand. We miss the comfort Christ offers us when we envy those at ease. We live as if our faith in you should exempt us from hardship, as if your Son never told us to pick up our cross and follow him. Forgive us all our murmurings. Renew us by your Spirit that we might rejoice in our calling to serve you and become more than conquerors through the One who lives for and died for us, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer of Dedication

We know that "all things come from thee, O Lord," so it is not with any sense of pride, but of humility, that we bring these gifts and lay them before you. May they be used wisely in the work of Christ, both close at hand and throughout the world, people of faith continue his work of proclamation and healing. Amen

Pastoral Prayer

Gracious God, you put up with so much from us! In your word we read of how time after time your people complained to Moses whenever some obstacle appeared too strong to overcome. Despite your having delivered them from Pharaoh's wrath at the Sea of Reeds, they complained when they were hungry.

We thank you that you listen to us, and then answer in the still small voice that is ever present for those who will listen: In the pat on the back, the smile, or the assurance of prayer from fellow believers, whenever we share our concerns for our difficulties with others. In the halting words of comfort and the gifts of food, flowers and cards during moments of sorrow. In the joy and inspiration of the singing of choir and congregation at each worship service. In the strengthening power of your ancient word when we read it in private or hear it read and proclaimed in your house.

And so, despite our shortcomings and misgivings, we have come to you again to receive your blessing. We bring with us our concern for the following people and causes….

Let them know that we care and that our prayers for their welfare have been offered up here, and will continue to be made when we leave this holy place. Continue to speak to us and shape us into the kind of people who will make a difference in the world, for we ask all of this in the name of him who is the great Head of the Church, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen