Sunday Prayers

It’s Sunday and we’re glad to share in worship with other Christians around the world as together we affirm our faith in Jesus Christ, and give ourselves in a fresh way to God to do His work in us and through us.

I thought today we might begin with a lovely little acclamation said in many churches.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts:

the whole earth is full of his glory.

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength; ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name.

The whole earth is full of his glory.

The Lord shall give strength to his people;

the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts:

the whole earth is full of his glory.

And then when it is a communion service, in many places this next prayer is said or sung.  It’s good to give glory and worship to God and that’s what we do with this prayer:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.

We give you thanks for your great glory,

Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

You take away the sins of the world  have mercy on us;

You take away the sins of the world,  receive our prayer;

You are seated at the right hand of the Father: have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord,

You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Amen

I don’t know about you but I know a need in my own life to have God enlarge my heart and mind to receive more faith, and more of His truth.

Hear me Lord and answer me for I am poor and needy. Psalm 86:1

Establish my steps in your word. Psalm 119:133

Let your compassion quickly meet our needs because we are on the brink of despair. Psalm 79:8

Protect me God because I take refuge in You. I say to the Lord, You are my Lord, apart from You I have nothing good. Psalm 16:1

Holy God, faithful and unchanging: enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you.  Give us discernment to hear Your voice and Your voice alone. Speak to us in the way You know we will hear you best. Lord, In your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts those things which belong to your purpose, Amen

And now let’s pray for God’s blessing.  This isn’t something we have to beg from God.  He’s more than willing to pour out good things into our lives.  Our part is to simply look up to Him in faith and receive what He is giving.

Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. We ask that we would walk in your blessing and goodness today. We long to see Your face that is shining on us.  We bless ourselves to recognize doors that You open for us and our loved ones.  We pray You would keep closed all wrong doors, even if we push against them.   Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm.  We pray all this, confident in Your goodness and love.