Praying Together 2021

130 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The love of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Let us pray that we will give ourselves to God in prayer and good deeds. (pause) God, our life and our joy, may everything we do turn our minds and hearts to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 6:5-6 Jesus said to his disciples: “When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I promise you that they already have their reward. When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Trusting that God sees and hears us, let us pray for the needs of the world. For those who work hard without any praise: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who pray quietly for others: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who are sad or lonely: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For hearts that try to please God: (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. Wednesday Week 17 Ordinary Time 28 July 2021 “He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.”