Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		God calls us to live compassionately and lovingly by doing everything in the name of Jesus. We live in a community formed of our families, our friends and our neighbors. It is in this community that we must live as a holy people, a people of compassion.
READING
Leader		A reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. (Read Colossians 3:12–15.) The word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.
RESPONSE
Leader		We must respond to the injustices in our world. When we see the issues that face our community, we must be willing to work for the rights of others. Let us seek God’s help in doing the work of justice.
Side 1		Hear our words, O Lord. Listen to our cries for help.
Side 2		Lord, you detest all evil. You avoid the evildoer.
Side 1		By your great love, O Lord, let us enter and worship in your house.
Side 2		We bow in reverence before you, O Lord. We praise your ways of justice.
Side 1		Guide us in your just ways.
Side 2		Make your way straight before us.
All		For you, O God, bless those who act justly. Your good will embraces us completely. Amen. (based on Psalm 5:1–8, 13)
Leader		We pray now for our community.
Reader		For the homeless in our community who are without basic needs, such as food and shelter, we pray to the Lord.
All		Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader		For the people in our community who have suffered loss, we pray to the Lord.
All		Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader		For the lonely in our community, who are without family or friends, we pray to the Lord.
All		Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader		For the unemployed in our community who seek work, we pray to the Lord.
All		Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader		Loving God, we are to be bearers of your justice and peace in our world. We have heard your word and it echoes in our hearts, urging us to be of service in our community. Make us a people of kindness, humility, justice, and patience. Give us compassion and respect for others. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG