Call to Worship

We have gathered once again, Lord of all and Lord of us.
We come to lift our prayers, and to sing your praises once again.
We come to ask and hope and long to see your justice in the land.
We worship in that hope and will work in that Spirit.

Derek Weber, March 2025

Prayer: Persistence

(inspired by Luke 18: 1-8)

God of Justice,
we know that in this hard world there are judges
that neither fear God nor respect their fellow men.

But you call us to remember
the woman who gave one a hard time,
crying out to him day and night, until he changed his mind -
her sheer stubbornness.

And we celebrate all those, women and men,
who persist in the cause of right;
who will not keep quiet;
who insist on raising the issues, again and again;
who campaign for unpopular causes,
write letters, send emails, sign petitions:
people round the world
who pick up their pens or take to the streets -
and young girls determined to go to school.

We celebrate them: steadfast, down-to-earth,
blessed with both stubbornness and courage,
to change the world. Amen.

Written by Jan Sutch Pickard, and posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayer-luke-18-1-8.html.

Call to Confession

The new covenant God has made with Israel
and with us,
begins in forgiveness.
Though we continually break covenant with God,
God remains faithful.
We confess our sings to God,
trusting that God will forgive us and remember
our sins no more.

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God,
we confess that we do not meditate on your commands
and teachings
all day long.
We do not keep your word before us always
and in all things.
Instead, we turn away from your demanding truth
and wander toward easier options.
Forgive us we pray,
for pursuing our own desires rather than yours.
Forgive us for growing weary in following you;
for failing to prayer and work tirelessly for justice;
for losing hope in your power to transform the powers of this world.
Tune our ears to the sound of your justice.
Turn our hearts to your commandments
and word of grace.
Do not remember our sin,
but remember your mercy forever.
We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.

Declaration of Forgiveness

Friends, God promises to forgive us,
to put our sins out of God’s own mind and heart.
In this way, God gives us not just a second chance
but a new beginning.
Believe the good news of the gospel:
our salvation is through faith in Christ Jesus.
Thanks be to God! Amen.

Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion, Liturgies for Year C, Vol. 2, Kimberly Bracken Long, ed. WJK Press, 2013, 218.

Benediction

(based on Luke 18: 1-8)

May you continually wrestle with prayer.
May you beseech the door of heaven with shameless boldness.
May your prayers produce, in you,
a countenance of joy,
a gracious demeanor,
and a peaceful heart
And may the God of hope, fill you with all peace,
that you may abound in hope,
assured that your prayers are heard
by a loving and gracious Father.

Written by Ryan, Pastor at Adamsville Presbyterian Church. Posted on rethinklife. http://dialogizomai.blogspot.ca/, reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/09/benediction-luke-18-1-8.html.