Congregational Prayer for the Little Things

God of grace,
thank you for the little things.
For the gift of this one little day in the great span of time.
For the little beauties;
the sunlight on blankets in the morning,
the fragrance of coffee,
the smile of someone who cares for us,
the texture of the day unfolding as it should.
Thank you for the gift of normal days,
peaceful, pleasant, ordinary.
Open our eyes to the little blessings we so often take for granted.
Thank you for sending a Saviour
who knew the pleasures of everyday life,
who grew up in a family,
and saw the sky every day just like we do.
Help us learn from the little things he did:
stopping to talk to children,
even when he was being hurried to more important things.
Jesus noticing the woman giving two pennies to God,
or making a barbecue on the beach for his friends.
Presentness, thankfulness, hospitality:
we need these in our lives, in our community.
Thank you for this community,
the simple act of coming together to praise you,
the little offerings we give,
the small ways we try to show we care.
We do care, and we want to care more.
We want a love as deep and rich as someone who died for our sins:
Jesus, you were true to us even in the face of cruelty,
even to your last breath.
Fill us with that spirit of love so much
that it comes out of us in a thousand little ways this week.
Returning kind words for harsh words.
Giving freely when we see a need.
Forgiving easily and daily, and not holding grudges.
There are big needs and big problems in the world,
we trust that you will take our offerings,
our little actions for peace,
and multiply them the way only you can.
We trust in you, together, as your people,
and so we pray together, the prayer you taught us to pray:

[The Lord’s Prayer]

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

Recent Posts

Posts By Month
Categories
  • Popular Tags

    Your browser doesn't support the HTML5 CANVAS tag.

  • Worship resources in a Mennonite voice for ears of all kinds

    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

    Feel free to use these orally in a worship service (in-person or broadcasted)  , but if they are printed in a bulletin please use the following credit

    “Copyright Carol Penner  www.leadinginworship.com.”

    Contact me for use in newsletters or printed resources, I am happy to grant permission but I would like to know how my writing is being used.  You can reach me at carol@leadinginworship.com.