Praying Together 2021

139 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. May the grace and peace of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Martyred in Rome, Saint Lawrence was generous to the poor and famous for his holiness. Let us pray that we will be like him. (pause) O God, on the feast day of Saint Lawrence, grant that we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 12:16-21 Jesus told the crowd this story: “A rich man’s farm produced a big crop, and he said to himself, ‘What can I do? I don’t have a place large enough to store everything.’ Later, he said, ‘Now I know what I’ll do. I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.'” But God said to him, ‘You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?’ This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God.” 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 people who are blinded by greed: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For wisdom to store up treasures in heaven: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For willingness to share generously with others: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who work hard to feed their family: (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 Way open the gates of heaven. 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. “Then who will get what you have stored up?” Tuesday St Lawrence 10 August 2021