Praying Together 2021

47 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 for the strength to follow the example of Jesus. (pause) Merciful Father, Hear the prayers of your children who call on you in love. Hep us to be faithful and lead us to fullness of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11 Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God. Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross. Then God gave Christ the highest place and honoured his name above all others. So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, “Jesus Christ is Lord!” The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Because God lovingly cares for all creation, let us pray for the needs of the world. For the willingness to obey God: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For hearts full of praise for Jesus: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For joyful service in the life of the Church: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For eyes to see the needs of others: (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 bless us and protect us and bring us to eternal life. Amen. 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. “At the name of Jesus everyone will bow down.” Wednesday of Holy Week 31 March 2021