Praying Together 2021

177 Gather Light a candle as a sign of God’s presence and sit quietly. Ring a bell or chime to start the prayer. The Lord be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus showed us how to make our daily chores into prayers. Let us pray that we may be holy. (pause) Gracious God, we offer you our small acts of kindness as a daily token of our love for you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:13-16 Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Gathered as members of God’s family, let us pray for the needs of the world. For children who are learning about Jesus: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For understanding and patience: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For willingness to do our jobs with a smile: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For enthusiasm to build God’s kingdom: (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 Christ the way open the gates of heaven. 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. “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them.” Friday St Thérèse of the Child Jesus 1 October 2021