a short pastoral prayer

submitted by Rev. Sarah Wiles, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, Washington

Author’s note: This prayer is especially appropriate for weeks with communion. It follows a time of sharing joys and concerns. It needs to be spoken slowly.

. . . All this and much more we bring you, O bright Morning Star.

Our gratitude and praise for this new day, for each new day,

Our joys, our hopes, our fears, our pain, we bring it all to you, because we cannot carry it alone.

We bring you our darkness and ask that you would shine anew.

We bring you our long night and ask that you would be the dawn.

We bring you prayers for which we scarce have words and trust that you will pray for us.

We pray as you taught us, saying…

call to worship: thus says the Lord

submitted by Rev. Sarah Wiles, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, Washington
a call to worship adapted from Jeremiah 6:16, and echoing the rest Jesus promises in Matthew 11:28.

Thus says the Lord, stand at the crossroads, and look.
Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies;
Walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

We come, O Lord,
seeking the ancient paths, the good way.
We come, O Lord,
seeking rest for our souls.
We come, O Lord,
longing to worship you.