Praying Together 2021

171 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 This saint, commonly called Padre Pio, was a holy man and spiritual director with special compassion for the suffering. Let us pray for those in pain. (pause) Lord of all life, may the example and prayer of Padre Pio support those who live in constant pain. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter of St James 5:7-11 My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. Be patient like those farmers and don’t give up. The Lord will soon be here! My friends, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They were patient, even when they had to suffer. In fact, we praise the ones who endured the most. You remember how patient Job was and how the Lord finally helped him. The Lord did this because he is so merciful and kind. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Gathered as one with all creation, let us pray for the needs of the world. For those in drought who are waiting for rain: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who endure pain and suffering: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For faith to trust that God will help us: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For wisdom to thank God for being so kind: (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 peace of God guide us. 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. “The Lord did this because he is so merciful and kind.” Thursday St Pius of Pietrelcina 23 September 2021