Praying Together 2021

82 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 As we come to the end of the glorious time of Easter, let us pray that God will fill us with the Spirit of the risen Christ. (pause) God of Light, send your Spirit into our lives and confirm us in our baptism so that we may do your work in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 20:19-23 The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them and showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they became very happy. After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don’t forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. RESPONSE Trusting in God’s love and mercy, let us pray for the needs of the world. For those who need forgiveness: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For faith in the risen Christ: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For courage to do God’s work in the world: (pause) We pray as one. Gracious God, hear our prayer. For strength to forgive those who have hurt us: (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. Friday Week 7 Easter 21 May 2021 “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.”