I write out my prayers for our worship service. However, I do not usually read them in worship. Instead I review them throughout the week until I know the outline of the prayer. I then pray from memory on Sunday. This means that much of the written prayer finds it's way into my spoken prayer, but there are some things that I pray on Sunday that were not on the paper. This method keeps my prayers from being haphazard, but also leaves room for the Spirit to move.
Here are my prayers for this coming Sunday. I always base my prayers on a Scriptural passage or event. I have noted that passage or event before the prayer. For the Lord's Supper I use an Old Testament passage prior to the bread and a New Testament passage prior to the wine. I try to find some correspondence between the two. This week it is Noah passing through the flood waters and our washing of regeneration found in Titus 3.
Prayer of Praise: Psalm 132:13-18
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of Heaven and Earth, You have chosen us for Your dwelling place. You have promised that You will be our God and we will be Your people. Because of your great promises we have come to your tabernacle and now seek to worship at your footstool. We cry out to you that would keep these promises as we enter the heavenly sanctuary. We ask you to clothe us, your priests, with salvation and put shouts of joy in our mouths. We pray that all our enemies would be put shame and that for the sake of Christ we would flourish like a well-watered vine. This we pray in the strong Name of Jesus. Amen!
Prayer for Illumination: Psalm 119:65-72
O Lord our God we praise you for your Word, which is mighty unto salvation for all men. We give you thanks for you have dealt well with us according to your Word. O Lord speak to us now as we hear your Word read and preached. Afflict us if we have gone astray and help us to keep your Word. For we know that it is good to be afflicted that we might learn to keep your statutes. Above all teach us to delight in the Scriptures, for the law of your mouth is better to us than a thousand gold pieces. In the strong name of Christ we pray. Amen!
Eucharistic Prayers
Bread: Noah’s Ark
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, it truly, right and good and our duty that we should at all times and in all places give You thanks and magnify Your Holy Name, therefore with the Angels, the Archangels and all the company of heaven we praise You saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Glory be to You, O Lord Most High.
We praise you Almighty God for the great flood you sent upon the earth so long ago. The earth was corrupt. The wickedness of man was great. Indeed, every thought of his heart was evil. Yet Noah found grace in your eyes and you delivered him through the flood. He came forth upon a purged earth and gave to you a burnt offering in thanksgiving. We like Noah have been delivered from your wrath because of your grace. As we eat , nourish us upon Christ and give to us hearts of thanksgiving for your great salvation. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen!
Wine: Titus 3:3-8
O Lord you are worthy of blessing and honor for you sent your only begotten Son into the world to deliver us from sin and the Devil’s snare. We know that we were once disobedient fools, serving our lusts and pleasures, full of malice, envy and hate. But then your kindness and love toward us appeared and you saved us, not by works of righteousness, but according to your abundant mercy shown to us Christ, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. For this great work we give you hearty thanks and praise. As we drink this wine, strengthen us upon Christ that we might be a people zealous for good works. For the sake of Christ and His Kingdom. Amen!
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