Praying Together 2021

145 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 United in mind and heart by God’s grace, let us pray. ( pause) Fulfil in us, O God, the sure promise of gladness amid the uncertainties of this world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus said to his disciples, “Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. Anyone who hears my teachings and does not obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE At the beginning of this new day, let us pray that God will recreate the world and make it new. For wisdom to hear and obey Jesus’ teachings: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who have lost their home in fire or flood: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who do not feel safe today: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For hearts to share in the pain of others: (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 Life create us anew. 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 20 Ordinary Time 18 August 2021 “It did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.”