Divine Presence Call to Worship

Here we are Lord !

We’ve come today to this worship service for many reasons;

we’ve come because we need to meet you,

we’ve come out of habit, or because someone made us come,

we’ve come because we hope the music will lift our spirits,

we’ve come because we are hungry for your word,

we’ve come because we want to see our friends,

we’ve come because we want to make friends,

we’ve come because you are the friend we need most of all.

Here we are — touch each person with your divine presence:

shape us into the church that you want us to be. Amen.

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Morning and Evening Prayer

As night falls

as I lay my body down

as muscles relax,

take, God, the burdens of the day,

hold, God, my loved ones in safety,

remove, God, all clinging fears,

give, God, the sweetest dreams,

grant a restful sleep

in Jesus’ name.

 

As the dawn rises,

as I lift my body up,

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Heavyhearted Prayer

My heart is heavy.

Heavy like a bulky suitcase carried too long,

Heavy like the pressure at the bottom of the pool’s deep end,

Heavy like feet at the end of a long day’s walk,

Heavy like carrying bad news to a friend,

Lifter of the heavyhearted, hear my prayer.

Help me to remember the strength that first lifted

    and bore the weight easily.

Help me to remember the sweet surrender of diving

    and the adventure of going deep.

Help me to remember the lightness of step…

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God Save the Children

God, save the children tonight.

Save them from empty stomachs and hunger pangs.

Preserve them from beatings and harsh words.

Protect them from bullets and bombs.

Shield them from sexual abuse.

Guard them from pain and disease.

Shelter them from anger and discord.

In their innocence, grant them peace.

God saves the children tonight.

Saves them when someone sends food for body and soul.

Preserves them when a neighbour intervenes….

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Old Friends

Thank God for old friends

who take the long view—

who are not startled by temper flares

or momentary lapses of judgement.

The ballast of high regard

floats all ships:

you think well of me

and I strive not to disappoint.

Thank God for old friends

who see the lighter side,

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Anniversary Prayer

God of love, thank you for marriage

and the way love’s face

changes with time.

Thank you for love’s beginning;

the tidal pull that draws together

as sure as sea and shore,

the beauty of that meeting,

its strength and intense fragility,

sweet as an apple blossom

pale in the moonlight….

 

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Saved

Today we pray for the sorely tempted.

When the body aches for one thing alone

when the mind longs for one thing alone

when the spirit knows one thing alone

when we are on autopilot for disaster

lined up for the sweet siren rocks–

your voice in our headsets

calm and firm:

“Alter course.  Pull up.  Engage.”

You lift our glazed eyes to a distant horizon

and talk us through to a different landing.

We step on solid ground, shaking,

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Sixteen Prayers

God, hear these sixteen prayers

that I am praying for sixteen good reasons.

I’ve loved her sixteen years,

protected and nurtured her each and every day.

Sixteen birthdays she’s made wishes

on cakes baked by my hands.

Sixteen years of trying to give good advice

and about a million “Be carefuls.”

And now, at this age of sixteen

when all the world is coming up roses,

my prayer for her is “Be yourself.”

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Down Day Prayer

On the other side of the mountaintop experience

on the day I lose my footing

on the quick way down

when nothing I grasp at holds

when all the world’s a blur

when all I can feel is this steep descent

here is where I need you most

here is when I call your name

here is where doubt and faith collide

can your hand stop

this quick slide

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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

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