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The first priority for the gathering of the people of God is to worship God.
Thoughtful worship entails constructing liturgy that draws the people of God into true worship. Pastors are called to lead the church into faithful, rich, and meaningful worship. Below you will find samples of liturgical elements I've written.
Eucharistic Prayers
The Gift of the Triune God
Our glorious, triune God, we were made to enjoy you now and forever!
You created this amazing universe as a brilliant work of art,
Then you set us in the middle of it.
And even when the canvas of your kindness was torn by our sin,
You crafted a work of even greater depth and beauty:
To redeem all things in heaven and earth
Through the body of your Son—scarred and pierced.
And in raising him to glorious life
You would begin the renewal of all things!!
As we look upon these elements:
The bread which is his body,
The cup which is his blood,
We can’t help but sing with thankfulness and praise,
We can’t help but want to shout and dance,
We can’t help but desire to sculpt and inscribe the wonders of your love!
To join with angels and archangels and all of heaven
In the great hymn of your unending praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
We lift our hearts to you, triune God of glory and grace!
These elements remind us that You have given us your very self.
That in your Son’s cross you took on all grief, failure, and wrong-doing.
And in His resurrection you dismantled the very power of sin.
Praise be to God!
Faith and Work Prayers
Prayer for Those in Public Service
Father, you are the Just Administrator.
Thank you for the public servants involved in helping our cities, counties, and states. Help them to understand the importance of their work for the flourishing of our shared life. Please keep them from abusing their power or exploiting their position.
And Lord we especially thank you for the many Christians who are involved in public service in greater Los Angeles. We think of Sheriff Luna, and of City council members Oscar Martinez in Whittier, Angie Reyes in Hawthorne, Dennis Beckwith in Azusa, and many others. Just as you came not to be serve, but to serve, may they follow your example as they put others first in their service.
Lord, may all of us as citizens demonstrate civility, speak up for righteousness and stand up against evil. Teach us how to honor and pay our debt of love toward those with whom we disagree. As we engage in public life keep us from snarky attitudes and hateful speech—which is unbecoming of a child of God. Remind us that each person working in these sectors of public service is created in Your image. Lord, may our disagreements help us flourish rather than wither, come together rather than divide.
Thank You Lord for Your dominion and reign over every living thing and over the entire universe. There is not one square inch of creation over which you do not cry, “Mine!” Nor is there any leader’s heart beyond Your reach. We ask for You to accomplish Your divine will through these public servants. Turn their hearts so that your will be done, on earth—in our cities, county and state—as it is in heaven.
This we ask in the name of the world's true king, Jesus.
Amen.
Praying for Politically Charged Events
10 Principles for Praying About Politically Charged Issues
Start with scripture to frame the why
For example: “Scripture commands us to pray for governing authorities.” Remind worshippers of the Biblical precedent for such prayer.
Rehearse our identity as disciples
It's not about partisan politics but about being the church.
Thanksgiving
For example: “Thank you Lord for the peaceful transitions of power….” Thanksgiving is the opposite of grumbling and divisiveness.
Acknowledge (political) differences in the church
Acknowledge different political views within the church. This frees people up from listening for what “side” the person leading in on.
Recognize the temptation of idolatry is not partisan
Point out that regardless of our political preferences we are all in danger of making American politics our de facto savior.
Identify fears around the given event/issue
Be honest about the feelings (of futility) we can feel. Remind us God is our true hope for peace.
Point out our church does not play favorites
We are committed to praying for all of those in authority: “Just as we have done in the past.” We are not playing political favorites.
Lead us to the highest authority: Jesus
Pray our leaders will submit to God and God’s truth. Reminded us there is a higher authority than our earthly leaders. [“Cause everything in accordance to your will to flourish. And when our leaders make mistakes keep us from resting in our own righteousness.”]
Exchange buzz words for the real world
Having framed the prayer, do not speak euphemistically. It is ok to give names and details as the content of our prayer.
Pray for church unity
Pray for the unity of the Church: “Help us to step beyond our own political preferences, beyond the bickering of campaigns, and the real substantial differences, and seek your shalom for our city.”
Praying For Our World
Prayer for Peace
Sovereign God, you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
At your pleasure, empires rise and fall.
Not a hair falls from our heads without you knowing.
And you have set your grand plan into motion:
To reconcile all things to yourself through Jesus Christ.
Two thousand years ago you came in the person of Jesus.
And since Christ’s coming you have been building your church!
This is evident in the rise of Christianity in the face of persecution as it spread around the Mediterranean: into North Africa, Syria, Asia, Ethiopia, and then up into the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks, the Serbians, down into Persia and India.
And when Christians experienced genocide in Iran and Alexandria, Syria, and North Africa,
Your Gospel continued to move forward into Scandinavia, Bulgaria, Central and Southern Africa…eventually coming to the Americas, expanding into China and Korea.
Through the innumerable events of world history—empires coming and going, disasters and conflicts big and small…through it all Lord God, you have been at work, building your church and preparing all things for the day, the final and great day, when Jesus Christ returns to judge the living and the dead, to set all things right,
to bring your kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven.
We long for that day. For there are so many places in this world that need peace:
We pray for Venezuela — For for a peaceful transfer of power.
We pray for Ukraine — That there would be an end to this brutal war.
We pray for the Israel/Gaza war—May this war find resolution, rather than expanding.
And of course, our need for peace is not just global, but in our personal worlds—
Many of us here this morning are experiencing illnesses, financial struggles, marriage problems, loneliness, issues at work, and real stress.
Remind us that You’ve promised to keep us, not just with some peace, but in perfect peace.
As we face the sad turns, the storms, the disappointments...teach us to mine the riches of the gospel, to return to the wonders of the love that is ours in Jesus Christ. That we might come again and again to your peace: a peace that passes all understanding.
Ground us again and again in your promises;
Until that day when you put an end to this world’s madness;
When you will judge all things and put this world to right:
The day when, as Habakkuk says, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Until then, we wait patiently for your kingdom, hidden now, to be revealed in all its glory.
Even so come Lord Jesus!
Even so come!
Amen.
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