Praying Together 2021

163 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 Because of his eloquent preaching, Saint John was called “Chrysostom” meaning “golden-mouthed”. Let us pray for those who preach God’s word. (pause) O God, bless our priests so that their Sunday homily will inspire us to lead better lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 1:4-8 My dear friends, God loves you, and we know he has chosen you to be his people. When we told you the good news, it was with the power and assurance that come from the Holy Spirit, and not simply with words. When you accepted the message, you followed our example and the example of the Lord. You suffered, but the Holy Spirit made you glad. You became an example for all the Lord’s followers. And because of you, the Lord’s message has spread everywhere. 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 those who share the message of Jesus: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For respect of differences in beliefs: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who spend their lives serving others: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For children growing in the love of God: (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 fire of the Spirit inflame 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. “Because of you, the Lord’s message has spread everywhere.” Monday St John Chrysostom 13 September 2021