Praying Together 2021

200 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 grace and peace of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Let us pray that we will listen carefully to God’s word. (pause) In difficult times, O God, help us to be calm and to trust in you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 55:1-3 The Lord says this: If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don’t have any money, buy food and eat it. Come and buy wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on something less than food? Why work hard for something that doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods. Listen carefully! Come to me, and you will live. I will promise you the eternal love and loyalty that I promised David. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Because God lovingly cares for all people, let us pray for the needs of the world. For all who share God’s word with others: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who are thirsty or hungry today: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who must work long hours: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who give generously to the poor: (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 Lord’s face shine upon us and be gracious to 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. Wednesday Week 31 Ordinary Time 3 November 2021 “Come to me, and you will live.”