How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

    All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

]For with you is the fountain of life;

    in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:7-9)

We eagerly run under your wings, O God,

    for precious is your steadfast love.

Keep us and watch over us, O God.

Let us eat our fill at the banquet you spread!

Let us drench our parched souls in your river of pure joy!

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God’s love is meteoric,

his loyalty astronomic,

His purpose titanic,

his verdicts oceanic.

Yet in his largeness

nothing gets lost;

Not a man, not a mouse,

slips through the cracks. (Psalm 36:5-6, The Message)

Your glory is above earth and heaven, O God.

And yet, you are all around us,

closer than the air we breathe.

With each breath we take, we trust you, O God.

With each step we make, we rely on you, O God.

In your meteoric love and astronomic loyalty,

keep us and watch over us.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25, The Message)

Faithful God,

Help us keep a firm grip on your promises!

Help us be inventive in encouraging one another and helping out!

Help us not neglect worshiping together, even if it’s just online!

Help us do it!

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;

    do not let me ever be put to shame;

    in your righteousness deliver me.

Incline your ear to me;

    rescue me speedily.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

    a strong fortress to save me. (Psalm 31:1-2)

You are indeed our rock and our fortress, O God.

For your name’s sake,

Hear our prayers and rescue us!

Heal the sick,

Comfort the suffering,

Strengthen the weak.

Do not let us perish in despair,

but lead us to your light.

Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

God, who gets invited

to dinner at your place?

How do we get on your guest list?

Walk straight,

act right,

tell the truth.

Don’t hurt your friend,

don’t blame your neighbor.” (Psalm 15:1-3, The Message)

Teach us, O God,

   to walk straight,

   act right, and

   tell the truth.

Help us not to

     hurt our friends or

     blame our neighbors,

that together,

     we may rejoice at your dinner table.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Help us send our roots deep down into your love, O God.

    that we may grow like trees planted by streams of water,

    and bear fruit -- the fruit of the Spirit.

Help us live a life of love, joy, and patience;

Help us be kind, generous, and faithful.

Let us follow the Spirit and live by the Spirit.

This we pray in the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

And endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:4-5)

Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Thank you for pouring your love out into our hearts!

Thank you for your hope that does not disappoint us!

Help us trust in your presence

     and endure.

Help us rely on your grace

     and build character.

Help us believe in your word

     and hope.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2)

We’ve been sheltered in place for over a month now, O God.

At times we get restless; at times, we get anxious.

Help us find encouragement in you, O Risen Lord.

Help us find consolation in the sharing of your Spirit,

  that we may not only get through this together,

but come out of it stronger, more faithful, and more compassionate.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and master it. Take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, and everything crawling on the ground.” God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good. (Genesis 1:28 & 31)

Sing to the Lord a new song!

    Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!

    Share the news of his saving work every single day.

(Psalm 96:1-2)

With the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky,

    we sing praises to you, O Creator God!

Help us not to confuse “taking charge” with “ruthless dominion.”

Enlarge within us the sense of connection with all living things,

    to whom you gave the earth as their home in common with us,

    that, together, we may sing to you a new song every single day.

This we pray on this Earth Day. Amen. 

Go, eat rich food, and drink something sweet,” he said to them, “and send portions of this to any who have nothing ready! This day is holy to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

You have created the world in beauty

    with enough resources to go around.

Help us remember those who have nothing ready.

Help us consider the needy and the poor.

And, help us share, O God,

    that, in so doing, we may experience

    the joy of our Lord.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)

Thank you for plants,

Thank you for trees,

Thank you for fruit,

Thank you for flowers!

Help us rejoice in your good creation,

   taking good care of it,

   and sharing its bounties with others.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20:26-27)

Jesus said to him, “If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24)

We believe you, Lord,

    help our unbelief!

Drive out our fear and anxiety.

Cast out our doubt and angst.

And breathe upon us

     your peace,

     your joy,

     your hope.

Through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Colossians 1:11-12)

Make us strong, O God,

   with all the strength

   that comes from the glorious Resurrection power!

Help us, O God,

   to endure everything with patience,

   the patience of the One who emptied himself,

   and became obedient to the point of death.

Grant us grateful hearts, O God,

   that we may inherit your Kingdom of Light.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

Come now, O God, and set us free,

     free from fear,

     free from doubt,

     free from sin.

Come now, O God, and restore us,

     to your life,

     to your joy,

     to your peace.

Through Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting

    the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations,

    and his glory above the heavens. (Psalm 113:3-4)

Morning has broken,

     and we sing praises to you, O God,

     for this is a fresh new day

     you have created and given to us.

No matter what the circumstances,

     may we live it fully and faithfully,

     may we live it freely and joyfully,

     may we live it to the glory of your name.

Through Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen. 

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28)

On this Holy Thursday,

we remember what you did, O God,

we remember what you said.

Even though we cannot gather in person.

feed us with your bread of life,

quench us with your cup of salvation,

that we may continue on our journey

in the strength of your Spirit. Amen. 

Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you. How often I wanted to gather your people together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. (Matthew 23:37)

Mothering God,

We want you to gather us together under your wings!

We need your protection! We need your care!

You, who cried over Jerusalem,

forgive us when we refuse, resist, and rebel.

Shelter us under your wings!

Shelter us in your peace!

Shelter us in your grace!

In your loving name we pray. Amen. 

Then Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those who were selling and buying there. He pushed over the tables used for currency exchange and the chairs of those who sold doves. (Matthew 21:12)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

As you entered the temple courts two thousand years ago,

enter now our lives, enter now our hearts.

As you cleansed the temple

clean our hearts now,

and put a new, faithful spirit deep inside us,

that when Easter comes,

we may rejoice in you, and you in us.

In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Genesis 1:2-3)
 
Creator God,
It feels as though the world is formless and empty,
with darkness covering the surface of the deep.
We need your creating power, O God.
We need your Spirit to sweep over the face of the earth.
We need your voice to command the light to be.
Come and create and re-create us!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit. 

(Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Our trust is in You, O Lord!

Our trust is You!

Help us send our roots deep down

by the stream of your grace;

Nourish us with your ever-flowing love,

that we may fear neither drought nor heat

but stay green,

and do not cease to bear fruit.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Be still, and know that I am God. 

(Psalm 46:10a)

How can we be still

in these challenging and anxious times?

How can we know that you are God,

and that you are there?

We are frightened, O God, and we fret.

Come to us with your peace,

Come to us with your goodness,

that we may be still and know that you are God.

Through Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel. Amen.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:1-4, NRSV)

We lift up our eyes, O God,
looking for our help,
looking for our healing and salvation.
You are the source of life and health.
You are the source of everything
that makes life possible and good.
Come in haste, O God,
and deliver us.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

These are challenging times, O God,

    and we are fearful, we fret.

Yet, you want us to rejoice….. always.

Help us find joy

    in small things,

    in ordinary moments,

    and be grateful.

Help us live every moment of our day

    mindful of your presence,

    alert to your Spirit’s moving,

    and be grateful.

Through Christ Jesus, our Joy. Amen.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters whom I love and miss, who are my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, loved ones. 

Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.  

Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4: 1 & 5-7, Common English Bible)

In thanksgiving, we come to you, O God,

   for you are our God, and we are your people.

With ardent prayers, we come to you, O God,

   longing for your peace that passes all understanding.

Keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,

   that we may stand firm in faith

   in these challenging times and always.

Through Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Fortress. Amen.

I hope, Lord.

My whole being hopes,

    and I wait for God’s promise.

My whole being waits for my Lord—

    more than the night watch waits for morning;

    yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!

Israel, wait for the Lord!

    Because faithful love is with the Lord;

    because great redemption is with our God!

(Psalm 130:5-7. Common English Bible)

Out of depths we cry out to you, O Lord.

Hear our voices!

Have mercy on us!

Keep us and watch over us!

In your unfailing love,

extend your special protection to all doctors, nurses, and other health care workers

and grant them the strength and energy they need in these challenging times.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.

(Romans 8:35 & 38-39, Common English Bible)

We thank you and praise you, O God,

   for your love is stronger than anything else.

We are scared, we are troubled,

   for we are in the dark and do not know what tomorrow will bring. 

Look kindly upon us, O God,

Heal the sick and give strength to those in trouble of any kind.

Through Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.