Praying Together 2021

121 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Bonaventure was a Franciscan, a bishop and a wise teacher. He was holy, gentle and compassionate. Let us pray that we will be like him. (pause) Lord our God, help us to be like the saints and come to the kingdom of heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 13:23-25, 29-30 Jesus said: “Do all you can to go in by the narrow door! A lot of people will try to get in, but will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and locks the door, you will be left standing outside. You will knock on the door and say, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But the owner will answer, ‘I don’t know a thing about you!’ People will come from all directions and sit down to feast in God’s kingdom. There, the ones who are now least important will be the most important, and those who are now most important will be least important.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Trusting that our God is near, let us pray for the needs of the world. For Church leaders who teach the gospel: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the wisdom and strength to do what is right: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who have not heard about Jesus: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For hearts full of welcome for all: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the prayers in our hearts today: (pause while students offer their prayers aloud) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. DISMISSAL May the Holy Spirit enlighten us. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ring the bell or chime to signal the end of the prayer. Extinguish the candle. “ Do all you can to go in by the narrow door!” Thursday St Bonaventure 15 July 2021