Sunday Prayers: 1 Thessalonians 5
Prayers inspired by and engaging with Romans 12:1–12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11–18
Call to Worship
Perhaps it’s been a tough week, with frustrating hurdles or maddening disappointments. Comfort us, Lord, with your peace, to recharge and recover. Maybe it’s been an uplifting week, with bubbling joy or heartfelt triumphs. Settle us, Lord, with faith in your presence, to reflect and give thanks. Almost certainly we face an unpredictable tomorrow. Strengthen us, Lord, with hope in your love, to meet the unknown with courage and compassion. Together let us now, in faith, hope and peace, join to worship our God.
Opening Prayer
Nurturing God,
Open our hearts to your Spirit today, to sustain us as we work and play, through our successes and our setbacks, that we might be encouraged by your love. Inspire us through your Spirit to recognize our impact on those around us whose lives we touch and the difference we can make through acts of empathy, listening and calm. Challenge us through your Spirit to answer the call of the communities we aim to serve, to support and appreciate the efforts of others creating a wave of persistence and strength. Remind us in the words of your apostle Paul to be joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and faithful in prayer. Amen.
Introduction to the Offering
On their own, each of our individual offerings can seem so small — insignificant even. It can be easy to lose sight of the abundant work God empowers when we gather our giving together. So as we reflect on our offering now, remember Jesus’ teaching that no gift is too small when offering in the name of God. Let us instead give to encourage and sustain the wider community of faith here and around the world. We will now receive and bless our offering.
Offering Prayer
Inspiring God,
We make our offering today as part of this community of faith, affirming the work our gifts can do when made together. Take these resources, we pray, to sustain and support those in need and strengthen the networks of aid so many turn to for help. Use our own gifts and personal resources to nurture and develop our community to be a place of welcome, of trust and of caring. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Encouraging God,
We pray for your help in our lives, as we seek to follow your way. We pray for strength to know and use the gifts you have blessed us with, to share your love in our communities. We pray for patience and grace as we strive to do what is good for one another and for everyone else.
Empowering God, we pray for those who serve. Encourage and support those who give of themselves to do your work, in churches, charities and communities, in large ways and small. Help us with the resources and direction to know your will and bring your healing love to those in need. Inspire us all to find acts of service that are pleasing to you.
Nurturing God, we pray for those who teach. Encourage and sustain those who work to educate others in our schools, universities and workplaces. Help us to have minds willing to learn, patience in the face of setbacks, and a commitment to growth and understanding. Inspire us all to share our experience in ways that are pleasing to you.
Forgiving God, we pray for those who show mercy. Encourage and protect those who work to advance peace and justice in our world and in our communities. Help us to appreciate the perspectives of others, to withhold judgment, and to build bridges too often torn down by prejudice and fear. Inspire us all to show mercy and compassion in ways that are pleasing to you.
In everything we do, help us to encourage each other, that we may build up each other and our world to be a more loving place. Amen.
Benediction
Go forward today to approach uncertain moments with empathy and strength; to explore unexpected encounters with welcome and grace; and to receive unforeseen opportunities with faith and gratitude. Inspire us with your love to encourage those around us and nurture the communities we are called to serve. Amen.
