Congregational Prayer, June 15, 2008
Offered by Rev. Vincent A. Fasano at the 10:30 service
- “Breathe on me, Breath of God,
- Fill me with life anew;
- That I may love what Thou dost love,
- And do what Thou wouldst do.
Thanks be to you, O God:
for sending
us your Holy Spirit, your very Breath
to infuse creation and humanity
with the vibrancy of your life.
The power of
Your Breath inclines
all creation toward you,
inclining each of us to seek, taste
and love what you love.
- “Breathe on me, Breath of God,
- Until my heart is pure,
- Until with Thee I will one will,
- To do and to endure.”
Thanks be to you, O God:
out of your
depths you gave
your very self, Son, Jesus;
the one who,
so filled with your Spirit
became
completely obedient to your will.
In his presence we see more clearly
how far we
fall from the gift of our humanity.
Created to have hearts that are pure,
to seek only
to do your will,
we
nevertheless part from your way.
We confess our waywardness
our departure
from your will.
Breathe on
us, Breath of God.
Search us. Know us.
Have mercy upon us.
- “Breathe on me, Breath of God,
- Till I am wholly Thine,
- Until this earthly part of me
- Glows with thy fire divine.”
Thanks be to you, O God:
Your Breath
alone carries the good news
of your
steadfast love constantly seeking
to make us
wholly your people;
your love, so immeasurably patient;
your kindness, as far-flung as the universe;
your mercy, forgiving to the uttermost.
Thanks be to you, O God:
for not
treating us as we deserve,
but as you
desire.
Bring us wholly back to you, O God,
that our
redeemed lives might glow
with your
divine fire.
- “Breathe on me, Breath of God,
- So shall I never die,
- But live with Thee the perfect life
- Of Thine eternity.”
Thanks be to you, O God,
that through
Christ Jesus, we have a share
in your true
and abundant life
which we can
live, now,
and inherit
eternally.
Come Holy Spirit,
cheer our
loved ones who this day
suffer
illness of body or spirit,
those who
taste grief and loneliness.
Holy Spirit, pray lift up to the heavens,
these our
silent prayers of intercession.
Breath of God,
in our loved
ones,
as in each of
us,
keep alive
the vision of that timeless future
of peace,
joy and tranquility
which you are, even now, preparing
for all creation.
Breathe on us, Breath of God. Amen.
Congregational Prayer, June 15, 2008
Offered by Pat Lindquist at the 8:30 service
O God, worthy of our praise despite our circumstances,
despite those questions left unanswered…
You are the God in whom we choose to put our trust.
In these times so full of uncertainty –
Whether it’s war … overseas or within;
Whether it’s health… personally or globally;
Whether it’s economy… our own or our country’s…
thank you for Your provision.
You hold out Your strong arms and welcome us in for protection.
Your words are there to comfort and guide us.
We pray for that guidance Lord, for our leaders and for those who make decisions that affect us all, here among us, in our town, in our nation… and for ourselves. That when we seek your wisdom and direction, You will make it abundantly clear. And for those of us who are a little slower to catch on than others, we thank You for your endless patience and mercy.
And Father in these quiet moments, hear us as we lift the names of those on our hearts who need your healing touch.
We place them in Your tender care to provide a way… to draw them close. To ease the pain in their hearts, or minds, or bodies. Give the doctors and nurses who may attend them, wisdom and a gentle touch; keep them on our hearts during this week. May Your compassion be evident, as we try to be Your hands and feet.
We are here this day giving honor to fathers everywhere… those who have passed on, those whom we respect and love, and those with whom we may not see eye to eye right now… we ask your blessing on them all. And to You, Father of us all, we give praise and glory. Hear us now as we sing our next song together, … Please stand quietly, and as you sing the words on the screen, offer them up to Your Father in heaven as the praise of your heart. We’ll close our prayer at the conclusion of the song.
