Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		We prepare to walk with Jesus during this season of Lent. Let us pray. God, our merciful Father, you have been with us from the beginning of time. Teach us to walk in love with you. Teach us to live a good life. Teach us to walk in faith with one another. Help us to keep our minds on our Lenten journey. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
All		Amen.
READING
Reader		The Lord said to Jeremiah, "Before you were born, I chose you to speak my message to the nations." Jeremiah replied, "Lord, how can I speak for you? I am too young." The Lord answered, "Don’t say you are too young. Go and tell the people everything I tell you. Don’t be afraid! I, the Lord, will be with you." Then the Lord reached out, touched Jeremiah’s lips and said, "I have now given you the words to say to others." (based on Jeremiah 1:4–9)
RESPONSE
Leader		Jesus calls each of us to be in a special relationship with him. Even while we are young, we are called to be close to Jesus. Do not be afraid. God will walk with you and show you the path you are to take.
PETITIONS
Leader		We ask God for the help we need to walk the paths the Lord has chosen for us. When we are afraid others will make fun of us if we do the right thing, we pray,
All		Lord, lead us.
Leader		When helping others means we do not get to do what we want, we pray,
All		Lord, lead us.
Leader		When giving is hard because we would rather not share, we pray,
All		Lord, lead us.
Leader		When breaking the rules is easier than following them, we pray,
All		Lord, lead us.
Leader		Merciful God, thank you for listening to our prayer. We know how much you love us. Give us the courage to love others. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives forever and ever.
All		Amen.
(Children now bring their footprint promises to place on the prayer table.)
Leader		Each of you has written one way you can walk with Jesus during Lent. Come and place your promises on the prayer table. Let us pray. Lord, we ask for your blessing. We want to be better followers of Jesus.
All		Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader		Lord, we are ready for our journey. Let these footprints be a reminder to us that by walking with you we will find true peace and happiness. As we celebrate this season of Lent, we remember the difficult roads that Jesus had to walk. He suffered and died so that we might have life. During Lent we will walk with Jesus.
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG