Praying Together 2021

61 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 guide us in the way of compassion. (pause ) God of glory, open our eyes to the needs of others so that we might bring your love and kindness to those we meet. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 7:18-22 John sent two of his followers to ask the Lord, "Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?" When these messengers came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask, 'Are you the one we should be looking for? Or are we supposed to wait for someone else?'" Jesus said to the messengers sent by John, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. Blind people are now able to see, and those who are lame can walk. People who have leprosy are being healed, and those who are deaf can now hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Rejoicing in the new creation of Easter, let us pray for the needs of the world. For people who suffer from diseases: ( pause ) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For doctors, nurses and paramedics: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who care for the elderly: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For medical researchers seeking cures to illness: (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 joy of the Spirit fill our lives. 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. “Blind people are now able to see, and those who are lame can walk!” Thursday Week 3 Easter 22 April 2021