Praying Together 2021

206 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 Today we remember Saint Martin, a French bishop who lived nearly two thousand years ago. We also remember Catherine McAuley who was the Irish founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Both are renowned for their loving commitment to the poor. Let us pray that we too will be generous. (pause) O God, lover of the poor and needy, open our eyes to the needs of others. Make us serve them truly after the example and command of Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 8:9, 13-14 You know that our Lord Jesus Christ was kind enough to give up all his riches and become poor, so that you could become rich. I am not trying to make life easier for others by making life harder for you. But it is only fair for you to share with them when you have so much, and they have so little. Later, when they have more than enough, and you are in need, they can share with you. Then everyone will have a fair share, The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Walking by the light of Christ, let us pray that Christ will dispel the darkness in our world. For those who don’t have enough food: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who don’t have a place to live: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who are need hope and healing: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For a willingness to share what we have: (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 love of Christ inspire 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. Thursday St Martin of Tours Catherine McAuley 11 November 2021 “It is only fair for you to share with them when you have so much.”