RESPONSIVE READING

 

Lord, so many people are in pain.

Teach us the way to peace. 

 

When people around us don’t agree and think differently,

Lord, teach us to listen and understand. 

 

When we see people getting hurt,

Lord, teach us to speak up. 

 

When we see people who are hungry and poor,

Lord, teach us to give to them like you give to us. 

 

When we see people treated poorly because of their difference,

Lord, teach us to be an example of love. 

 

When we see war and conflict around the world or close at home,

Lord, teach us how to make a difference and bring peace. 

 

When we see pain,

Lord, teach us to bring healing. 

 

In all that we are and all that we do,

Lord, teach to live together in community in the humility of your sacrificial love.

 

(adapted from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, “Lord, Teach Us,” at www.elca.org/nonviolence/worship.html#Prayers)

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Gracious God, You have called us to live in community with You as members of the body of Christ.  We confess that we live in a society that worships the individual and neglects the communal, for we are taught by our culture to be self-

sufficient.  We confess that we fear being dependent on others.  We are afraid of being an inconvenience to others and afraid of exposing our weaknesses and vulnerability.  Likewise, too often we shun others who may need our care and at-

tention.  We fear that they will inconvenience us, and we turn aside from their brokenness and cries for mercy.  Gracious God, do not forsake the work of your hands.  Do not let us be conformed to this world’s way of thinking and relating to

each other.  Transform our hearts to love one another and teach us to live together as brothers and sisters in the unity of Your Spirit.  Unite us in community through the worship of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

(by Chris Liu Beers and B. J. Morton)

 

Teach us Your Justice

 

O Lord Jesus Christ, teach us your justice.  You regard the lowly and take no pleasure in the pride of humankind.  If we boast, let us boast of your abundance and not be afraid to share your bread with those who hunger.  Let us delight in your generous hospitality and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Let us live in your self-sacrificing humility, knowing that we will be raised as one in the glory of your kingdom,  where you live for ever and ever.  Amen

 

(by B. J. Morton)

 

Make us One

 

Make us one, dear Lord --

black, brown and white,

poor and rich,

able-bodied and differently abled, 

weak and strong, 

oppressed and free.

May we recognize the dignity of every human being

and live simply and honestly together in the community of your love.

 

(By B. J. Morton)

 

Selflessness

 

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who came to enlighten the world with your teaching and example, sanctify us in your truth and love that we might continue to shine your light in this world.  Teach us to be generous, to give without counting the cost, to spend ourselves without looking for any reward other than knowing that we do your holy will. Amen.

 

(adapted from “Consecration to the Holy Family,” www.catholic.org/clife/prayers/prayer.php?p=64; and “Selflessness,” www.catholic.org/clife/prayers/prayer.php?p=195)

 

Our Daily Offering

 

God of grace and mercy, give your children a share of the self-sacrificing love of Christ.  Help us to grow in this love, and give us the desire to serve others, especially the most needy.  You long for us to do your will everywhere, especially where people are hurting.  Strengthen us and give us courage to do your will, especially when we feel powerless to help. We offer ourselves as a "living sacrifice" on the altar of your love.  May all our longings, works, joys, and sufferings each day become offerings and prayers to you, for the sake of your church.  Amen.  

 

(adapted from Apostleship of Prayer, “Prayer as Daily Offering,”

http://apostleshipofprayer.org/prayerDailyOffering.html)

 

Teach us to Trust

 

Faithful God, teach us to trust in you and to die to our own wills so that we might become alive in your holy will.  Transform the way we think and do not let us be conformed to the world or deceived by our own imaginations.  Help us to un- derstand that it is in embracing the cross of Christ—in emptying ourselves towards you, O God, and towards others—that our true selves are to be found. Let us turn to the other and pour ourselves out towards them in the sure knowledge that nothing will be lost.  Rather, we fill up the cup of your love and find community.  Teach us to trust you, O God, and teach us to love our neighbors as you have loved us.  Amen.

 

(adapted from “Commentary” at http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/ and www.ourmeetinghouse.org/sermons/sermon367.html)

 

Devoted to Christ

 

New every morning is your love, Great God of light

     and all day long you are working for good in the world

Stir up in us desire to serve you,

     to live peacefully with our  neighbors,

     and to devote each day to your Son,

     our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen

 

(adapted from The Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Daily Prayer #5, p. 109)