Prayers of the People

This prayers of the people originally appeared in "Whistling in the Dark—Week 4: True Fellowship on Display."Prayers of the PeopleYou are our eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them. You still uphold and rule them by your eternal counsel and providence. You are my God and Father because of Christ your Son. You are eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good. I trust you so much that I do not doubt you will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and you will turn to my good whatever adversity you send me in this sad world. You are able to do this because you are almighty God. You desire to do this because you are a faithful Father. —Based on Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 26, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission. And Belgic Confession Article 1, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission

This prayer is based on Psalm 40 and originally appeared as part of "In the Pit...WaitingA Lenten Service Based on Psalm 40" The following prayers of the people is split between three different prayer leaders. The specific prayers are not provided here but a week or more ahead of the service each prayer leader should be given the first line which provides the theme for their prayer.  Then each composes their own prayer. Prayer #1: "Help us, O God, to face temptations..."Sung Response"Before Thy People I Confess," st. 2 UnknownPrayer #2: "Give us victory over those who would destroy our families ..."Sung Response"Before Thy People I Confess," st. 4 Unknown.Prayer #3: "Lord, give us courage to face the enemies of your cross ..."Sung Response"Before Thy People I Confess," st. 5 UnknownPrayer #4:"Lord, give us courage to face the enemies of your cross ..."Reading: For Help Without DelayBut may all who seek yourejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvationsay continually "Great is the LORD!" As for me, I am poor arid needy,but the Lord takes thought for me.You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.—Psalm 40:16-17Sung Response "As the Deer" NystromPrayerOur ever-present God, we can hardly wait for your help. Some of us are desperate. We love you, and we want your name to be honored. We fear that our enemies will hinder us or get in our way—or we may be our own worst enemies. Lord, help us to be glad, to rejoice with the psalmist, to have this new song in our hearts, to have our feet on the solid rock. Lord, think of us, remember us when you come into your kingdom. You are our help and our deliverer. O God, do not delay. We long for your presence, your love, your favor, your grace. Hear us through your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.