Praying Together 2021

230 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 Let us pray that God’s Spirit will renew us. (pause) Lord, increase our eagerness to do your will and show us the saving power of your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter of St Paul to Titus 3:4-8 Brothers and sisters: God our Saviour showed us how good and kind he is. He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Saviour to give us his Spirit. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE In the light of this new day, let us pray that God will make of our world a new creation. For those who feel down-hearted or ashamed: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For faith in the never-ending mercy of God: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For determination to try again and begin anew: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For a joyful spirit that reflects God’s kindness: (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’s tender hand support 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 3 Advent 15 December 2021 “He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.”