We Can Hardly Wait for Your Help...—Prayers of the People: Based on Psalm 40

By LeRoy G. Christoffels

This prayer is based on Psalm 40 and originally appeared as part of "In the Pit...Waiting
A Lenten Service Based on Psalm 40"

Prayers of the People

[Three different prayer leaders are given the first line of their prayer to set the theme. Then each composes his or her own prayer.]
Leader #1: "Help us, O God, to face temptations..."

Sung Response

"Before Thy People I Confess," st. 2 ^Unknown

Leader #2: "Give us victory over those who would destroy our families ..."

Sung Response

"Before Thy People I Confess," st. 4 ^Unknown.

Leader #3: "Lord, give us courage to face the enemies of your cross ..."

Sung Response

"Before Thy People I Confess," st. 5 ^Unknown

Leader #4:"Lord, give us courage to face the enemies of your cross ..."

Reading: For Help Without Delay

But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say 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 40:16-17

Sung Response

"As the Deer"^Nystrom

Prayer

Our 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 our 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.