Praying Together 2021

133 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 have a deep respect for God’s name. (pause) God of the Universe, we rejoice to call you Father. Keep us always in your love and fill our hearts with thanks and praise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 3:2, 6-8 A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in. Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking.” Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up. At once the man’s feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Can you imagine what it must have been like for the man in today’s story? The bible tells us that he had never been able to walk – not ever – and all of a sudden he could run and jump! He must have felt alive and free for the first time. Let’s join in a song of praise to Jesus for being alive in us! You might like to “Get up and Dance” t o this song by Hillsong Kids, thanking God for your healthy bodies that can walk and run and jump! DISMISSAL May God grant us health and happiness. 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. Monday Week 18 Ordinary Time 2 August 2021 “Get up and start walking.”