Praying Together 2021

13 W 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 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 Acts of the Apostles 9:1-6, 20 Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord's followers. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord's Way. When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, "Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?" "Who are you?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus," the Lord answered. "I am the one you are so cruel to. Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do." Soon Saul went to the Jewish meeting places and started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Gathered this day by the power of God’s Spirit, let us pray for harmony in the world. For people of every culture and language: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who suffer cruelty: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For respect of different thoughts and beliefs: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For peace between nations: (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 God look upon us with kindness and give us peace. 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. Thursday Week 5 Ordinary Time 11 February 2021 “Why are you so cruel to me?"