Praying Together 2021

122 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 Let us pray that we will follow Christ the Good Shepherd. (pause) Lord God, our help and guide, may we keep our eyes on Christ our Shepherd and follow his teachings in our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:30-34 After the apostles returned to Jesus, they told him everything they had done and taught. But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest.” They left in a boat for a place where they could be alone. But many people saw them leave and figured out where they were going. So people from every town ran on ahead and got there first. When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd that was like sheep without a shepherd. He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them many things. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Gathered this day in the love of God, let us pray for the needs of the world. For those who are in need of rest: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For teachers who lovingly guide their students: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For doctors who work through the night: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For parents looking after a new baby: (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 Christ the Lord walk beside 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. Friday Week 15 Ordinary Time 16 July 2021 “He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them many things.”