Praying Together 2021

152 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 Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, prayed that he would change his ways and follow Christ. Let us pray for all mothers who are worried about their children. (pause ) God of life, grant patience and strength to mothers concerned for the wellbeing of their children and keep their children safe. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 7:1-4, 14-16 Some Pharisees and several teachers of the Law of Moses from Jerusalem came and gathered around Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples ate without first washing their hands. The Pharisees and many other Jewish people obey the teachings of their ancestors. They always wash their hands in the proper way before eating. None of them will eat anything they buy in the market until it is washed. Jesus called the crowd together and said, “Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn’t make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Rejoicing in the presence of God, we remember God’s care for the needs of the world. For mothers, that they have patience and wisdom: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the feeding of those who are hungry: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the safety of all children: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For kind words that bring joy to 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 God’s word strengthen our hearts. 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. “Pay attention and try to understand what I mean.” Friday St Monica 27 August 2021