Praying Together 2021

75 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 we will have the strength to remain faithful. (pause) O God, source of life, give us the courage we need to stay faithful even when it is hard. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 16:23, 25-26, 29-32 Paul and Silas were put in jail. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened , and the chains fell from all the prisoners. The jailer was shaking all over as he kneeled down in front of Paul and Silas. He asked, “What must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!” Then Paul and Silas told him and everyone else in his house about the Lord. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE Knowing God’s care for us, let us pray for the needs of the world. For those who have lost their faith: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who are in prison: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who have suffered natural disasters: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For those who bravely spread the gospel: (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 God guide our minds. 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. Wednesday Week 6 Easter 12 May 2021 “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!”