I was part of an interfaith conversation a few months ago that included a discussion
about different approaches to prayer. My Jewish and Muslim colleagues talked
about their practices of set daily prayer, and the meaningful experience of saying
words each day that are shared by their siblings in faith. I reflected that in our own
Reformed tradition, prayers outside of worship are often more spontaneous in
language (with the exception of the Lord’s Prayer), and we all talked together
about the benefits we find in both kinds of prayer: the beauty in a shared
experience of using common and often ancient words, and the candor that comes
with prayers that bubble up in a particular moment.
I’m grateful that, on the days when I find comfort in some shared words, our Book
of Common Worship includes liturgy for Daily Prayer. So let me share with you
some of those words designated for Tuesday prayer.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
that through the gift of our baptism
you have poured out your grace upon us
and claimed us as your beloved people.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
help us to love and serve you always
and to love and serve one another;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Today’s Psalm is number 134:
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the Lord.
3 May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Let us pray.
Eternal God,
we rejoice this day in the gift of life,
which we have received by your grace,
and the new life you give in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
ministries of compassion, witness, and service,
those who make and grow the things we need,
the communities in which we live,
strength and abilities to serve you today,
indications of your love at work in the world.
God of grace,
we offer our prayers for the needs of others
and commit ourselves to serve them
even as you have served us in Jesus Christ.
God of our salvation,
heaven and earth sing your praise.
Cause us to live and grow in faith
so that we may bear good fruit
for the glory of your holy realm;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bless the Lord. The Lord’s name be praised.
Friends, may you find whatever words you need this day.
Pastor Kate