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Church in the Market Place / 2008 (Click the picture for more information)
Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. A complete edition of the prayers is available though Augsburg Fortress [link].
  • Thematic
  • God of wilderness and water,
    your Son was baptized and tempted as we are.
    Guide us through this season,
    that we may not avoid struggle,
    but open ourselves to blessing,
    through the cleansing depths of repentance
    and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

    OR

    Artist of souls,
    you sculpted a people for yourself
    out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting.
    Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity,
    that the discipline of these forty days
    may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship,
    and whet our thirst for the living water you offer
    through Jesus Christ. Amen.

    OR

    God of the covenant,
    in the glory of the cross
    your Son embraced the power of death
    and broke its hold over your people.
    In this time of repentance,
    draw all people to yourself,
    that we who confess Jesus as Lord
    may put aside the deeds of death
    and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen.

    OR

    God of the living,
    through baptism we pass from the shadow of death
    to the light of the resurrection.
    Remain with us and give us hope
    that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit
    who gives life to our mortal flesh,
    we may be clothed with the garment of immortality,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
  • Intercessory
  • Faithful God of love,
    you blessed us with your servant Son
    so that we might know how to serve your people
    with justice and with mercy.
    We gather the needs of ourselves and others,
    and offer them to you in faith and love,
    seeking to be strengthened to meet them.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Shape us and transform us by your grace,
    that we may grow in wisdom and in confidence,
    never faltering until we have done all that you desire
    to bring your realm of shalom to fulfillment. Amen.
  • Scripture
  • Holy One, creator of the stars and seas,
    your steadfast love is shown to every living thing:
    your word calls forth countless worlds and souls;
    your law revives and refreshes.
    Forgive our misuse of your gifts,
    that we may be transformed by your wisdom
    to manifest for others
    the mercy of our crucified and risen Lord. Amen.