Congregational Prayer, July 20, 2008
Offered by Rev. Vincent A. Fasano
Loving and wonderful God
Thanks be to you:
for the wonder, the glory
of your creation and our humanity;
for he bonds of love and affection
in our lives and in this church,
bonds which connect us so deeply
and lead us to you
Lord Jesus Christ
Thanks be to you:
for dwelling right here
among us as we worship.
You bring us up out of the depth of despair, resorting in us new and
abundant life, both in this world and the world to come.
Holy Spirit
Thanks be to you:
for inspiring us to listen for your voice; and to recognize your hidden
presence.
In this outrageous noisy world,
we pray for discernment to see
that all of our ordinary relationships
are spectacularly sacred
because you have made them so.
Thanks be to you, O God
for sanctifying our living
by making human relationship
the place you have chosen to encounter us.
Thanks be to you:
that in every single interchange
among people you are there;
hallowing the space, seeking to be known, to be acknowledged.
to be made flesh, once again;
So hear our cries of confession
as we recall how often we let the world’s troubles, and even our own
troubles, distract our attention from the holiness of all our relationships.
Make us mindful, O Lord
of all of our friends - your friends,
who today suffer the pains of life transitions disease of body or mind;
beset by fear, worry, grief; these friends, who now, maybe more than at any
other time, need the blessings of our comfort which perhaps only we can be
for them as a witness to you.
Hear our prayers for friends in need.
Thanks be to you O God
You fill our lives to overflowing with persons who have borne witness to us
of your friendliness.
We bring forth memories
of those dearest of friends,
through all our life’s journey
friendships through which we encountered you!
Lord God,
renew in each of us the desire
and the energy to be just like you,
to be just like Jesus:
present; available to any neighbor
or stranger; a friend to all.
However meager, may our friendships
bring forth glory to you alone:
to your love, so immeasurably patient;
to your kindness, as far-flung as the universe; to your mercy, forgiving to
the uttermost.
Thanks be to you, O God
for not treating us as we deserve
but as you desire.
O Lord, our God,
we will give Thanks to you forever.
Amen
