Three Formats for a Special Night or Day of Prayer (Drawn from Dynamic Church and Area-Wide Prayer Meetings by Gregory Frizzell) This practical tool is a descriptive guide for conducting a variety of powerful corporate prayer events. A Prayer Service in the Aftermath of Flooding in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Region Prayer for Those Affected and Those Providing Relief in Time of Disaster From Darkness to Light - A Prayer In a Time of Disaster. ![]() There is a lot to be said for tradition! Generations of worshipping congregations have included set prayers within the opening section of their weekly services. These generally cover the themes of adoration, thanksgiving and confession. And somehow that seems just right. We begin our worship by reminding ourselves of how awesome our God is. ![]() We then thank him for what he has done for us, and this inevitably reminds us that we really do not deserve his mercy and grace. Which leads us to confession and accepting by faith the forgiveness that God offers to those who humbly come to him and acknowledge their faults. Below are two sets of opening prayers. More are available in my 'The Worship Leader's Little Helper' Opening Prayers 1- Theme 'I will exalt you' Consider these words from Psalm 145 ‘I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever’ (A moment of silence ) Creator God, we glimpse your beauty in setting sun, mountain top, eagle’s wing. We sense your power in thunder crash, lightning flash and ocean’s roar. Creator God we praise you Precious Jesus, we see your love stretched out upon a cruel cross. We stand in awe at your sacrifice, pure love poured out for humankind. Precious Jesus we praise you Holy Spirit, we see your power in lives transformed, hearts on fire. We listen for your still, small voice, comforting, guiding, calling. Holy Spirit we praise you To my words ‘Every day I will praise you’ would you respond ‘And extol your name for ever’ From the moment we awake to face the day ahead, you are with us, through good times and bad, Your presence enough for our needs. Every day I will praise you And extol your name for ever Through the hours of the day, in our travels and work, you are with us; in decisions we must make, Your wisdom enough for our needs. Every day I will praise you And extol your name for ever As we lay down to rest at the end of the day, you are with us, as we lay our fears at your feet, Your peace enough for our needs. Every day I will praise you And extol your name for ever A prayer of confession Lord God, your love for humankind present in the beginning of all things, extends throughout history and touches even my life. Your love sees failings and forgives. Sample Opening Prayers For EventsYour love feels pain and wipes away our tears. Your love knows grief and comforts the sorrowful. Your love sees sin and still loves the sinner. Forgive us when we fail to live lives that reflect your love. Forgive us the many times when we take for granted all that you have done for us. Transform us, through your Spirit, and empower us to serve you, this day and all days Amen Let us join together in the words that Jesus taught his disciples. Opening Prayers 2 – Theme 'God of all ages' Listen to these words from Psalm 40 “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” To my words ‘God of all ages’ would you respond ‘Accept our sacrifice of praise.’ Eternal God, it was your Spirit, hovering over the waters at the dawning of that first day. It was your voice echoing through the darkness, that brought forth light. God of all ages Accept our sacrifice of praise Eternal God, it was your love that birthed humankind, and placed them in a garden. Location of adobe flash program files. It was your hand that helped them to their feet, each time they fell. God of all ages Accept our sacrifice of praise Eternal God, it was your prophets who spoke forth your word, to a rebellious generation. It was your Son who showed the depth of love that will not let us go. God of all ages Accept our sacrifice of praise God of life, whose love enfolds us, and spirit fills us, we praise your holy name. God of joy, whose sunrise wakes us, and sunset amazes us, we praise your holy name. God of hope, whose promise sustains us, and power upholds us, we praise your holy name. God of love, whose patience humbles us, and touch can heal us, we praise your holy name. God of peace, who breaks down barriers, and walls that divide us, we praise your holy name. God of eternity, who has always loved us, and by grace has saved us, we praise your holy name Spend a moment thinking about all that God is and has done for us, and consider your individual response to his grace. God of all ages, who from generation to generation has heard the cries of your children humbly seeking forgiveness, and has welcomed sinners back into your embrace, hear the thoughts of our hearts, examine our motives, forgive us our faults, of word and action. We ask this through your Son, who died that we might know the true cost of forgiveness. AMEN Let us join together in the words that Jesus taught his disciples. Opening Prayers 3 – A Celtic Theme Listen to the words of the Psalmist “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.” Psalm 29:3-4 To my words ‘The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad ‘would you respond ‘And the distant shores rejoice’ The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad And distant shores rejoice You who spoke this world in motion, breathed life into each creature, painted landscapes in colourful hues, you are our God. The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad And distant shores rejoice You who bring to us each season light and warmth, rain and sunshine, and within the seed a spark of life, you are our God. A prayer or blessing can be religious or non-religious. Some couples invite a family member or friend to say a prayer or blessing. Prayers and Blessings 1 Let us pray. God, we ask for your blessings upon this man and woman, as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment as they establish their new home, create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another and for you. Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives. Bless their home as a place of love and of peace. And if times grow hard and tempers grow short, help them to look into their hearts and remember the love that brought them here today Amen. Prayers and Blessings 2 God, as you join us today, we ask for your blessings upon this couple as they unite in marriage. Let all their days together be happy and all their words to each other be sweet. Though their paths are intertwined, let them be aware of each other’s separateness. Bless their home and allow it to be a place of joy and serenity. Remind them to nurture each other’s body with mutual love, honor and respect. Let their spirits dwell within. Opening Prayer For Recognition ProgramAs they learn from one another, may they grow stronger as individuals and closer as a couple. And as their wedded life begins today with prayer, so may they continue it, praying for and with each other. Prayers and Blessings 3 In acknowledgment of this holy purpose, and of the power of this occasion, let us pray. Dear God, One who gives us the longing for love and the capability of loving, we give thanks to You for BRIDE and GROOM, for their open hearts and willing spirits, and for the love that they embody here in our presence. Be with them on this joyous occasion as two become one, and be with us, their witnesses, as we rejoice in what is said and witnessed here. Prayers and Blessings 4 To open the ceremony we will begin with an invocation in the form of an ancient prayer or mantra. The meaning of “mantra” is “ that which protects.” This mantra asks for protection, good fortune, strength, wisdom, and peace. Mantras begin with “OM”, which is not a word or a name; it is the vibration of love heard from within the heart when the mind is at peace, the vibration of love from which creation emerged. How to create a stage plot and input list. BRIDE and GROOM, take hold of your hands and look into each other’s eyes, and repeat after me: Om May we be protected together May we enjoy the fruits of our actions together.
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