Praying Together 2021

195 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 Let us pray that we will learn to forgive, just as God forgives us. (pause) Wise and loving God, lead us to discover your wonderful gifts of mercy and grace and help us to forgive all those who have done wrong to us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 18:21-22 Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered: “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Trusting in God’s compassion and love, let us pray for the needs of the world. For the courage to forgive those who hurt us: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For harmony where there is disagreement: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For people who find it hard to forgive: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For acceptance and understanding: (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 mercy of God fill our hearts with 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. Wednesday Week 30 Ordinary Time 27 October 2021 “How many times should I forgive?”