Praying Together 2021

205 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 love of God be with you! And with your spirit. COLLECT Saint Leo the Great was a pope who bravely defended Rome and wisely taught his people. Let us pray for our Church leaders. (pause) Make our leaders strong and wise, O God, after the example of Pope Leo the Great. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the first book of the Kings 3:11-14 The Lord said to Solomon: "I will answer your prayer. You will be wise and know more than anyone who has ever lived or ever will live. You didn't ask to live a long time or to be rich, and you didn't ask for your enemies to be destroyed. All you wanted was to be honest and fair. "But I will give you more than you have asked for. I will make you rich and respected. You will be the most famous king of your time. And if you obey me and keep all my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life." The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Let’s close our eyes and still our minds as we reflect on this reading from Scripture. If you could ask God for one thing - anything at all - what would it be? The story we have just heard is a story about Solomon, a mighty king. Solomon didn’t ask God for riches or power. Solomon asked God for something that would make him a better king; he asked for wisdom to make good decisions and to know right from wrong. God was very pleased with Solomon and promised to answer his prayer. Spend a few quiet moments with God now, asking God to help you be honest and fair and to guide you in making good choices. DISMISSAL May God’s wisdom 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. Wednesday St Leo the Great 10 November 2021 “All you wanted was to be honest and fair.”