Praying Together 2021

151 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 peace of Christ be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Let us pray that God will have mercy upon us. (pause) God our creator, grant that we may serve you with all our heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the book of Proverbs 21:2-5, 13 We may think we are doing the right thing, but the Lord always knows what is in our hearts. Doing what is right and fair pleases the Lord more than an offering. Evil people are proud and arrogant, but sin is the only crop they produce. If you plan and work hard, you will have plenty; if you get in a hurry, you will end up poor. If you won’t help the poor, don’t expect to be heard when you cry out for help. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE In the light of this new day, let us pray that God will make of our world a new creation. For those who are not treated fairly: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For people living in poverty: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who work hard and do what is right: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For generous hearts to help the needy: (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 grant 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 21 Ordinary Time 26 August 2021 “Doing what is right and fair pleases the Lord.”