Praying Together 2021

52 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. Alleluia! And with your spirit. Alleluia! COLLECT Let us pray that God will renew our faith. (pause ) God, ever patient and loving, may we joyfully proclaim Jesus as Lord and show by our lives that our faith is real. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:24-29 Once when the disciples were together, Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!” Thomas replied, “You are my Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE In the light of this new day, let us pray for the needs of the world. For those who find it hard to believe: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who show their faith through action: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who are sick or suffering: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For patience with one another: (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 peace of Christ dwell in our hearts. Alleluia! Alleluia! 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. “You are my Lord and my God!” Friday Octave of Easter 9 April 2021