Praying Together 2021

188 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 Today we celebrate Saint Luke, a disciple of Paul and one of the gospel writers. Let us pray that the good news of Christ will draw all people to the love of God. (pause) O God, in your compassion, embrace all women and men, the rich and the poor, the great and the small. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 7:36-38, 48-50 A Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him. When a sinful woman in that town found out that Jesus was there, she bought an expensive bottle of perfume. Then she came and stood behind Jesus. She cried and started washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. The woman kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven." Some other guests started saying to one another, "Who is this who dares to forgive sins?" But Jesus told the woman, "Because of your faith, you are now saved. May God give you peace!" The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Rejoicing in God’s mercy, let us pray for healing in our world. For those who are ashamed of their actions: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the courage to try again when we fail: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the confidence to ask Jesus for forgiveness: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For the down-hearted, that they find peace: (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 grant us forgiveness and 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. “Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” Monday St Luke 18 October 2021