Congregation or Pastoral Prayers
 
    O Lord, the prophets have taught us that "where there is no vision, the people perish". Holy God, create within each of us the desire and the ability to dream creative dreams of goodness.
    Help us to hear the poetry of life, and songs of joy.  
    Help us to see the beauty of nature, and the good actions of others.
    Help us to feel the love of life, and express it with others and You.
    Awaken all of our senses to goodness,
And create within us the determination to help you make what it good, wholesome, and right dominate the existence of humanity. In Christ's name. Amen.
 
 

    O Holy God, we pray that strength and courage abundant be given to all who work for a world of reason and understanding. That the good that lies in every person's heart may day by day be magnified. That humanity will come to see more clearly not that which divides them, but that which unites them. That each hour may bring us closer to a final victory, not of nation over nation, but of humanity over our own evils and weaknesses. That the true spirit of this day ...its joy, its beauty, its hope, and above all its abiding faith ...may live among us. That the blessings of peace be ours ...the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others, and to plan for the future with confidence. In Christ's name. Amen.

God, O Lord; we pray that we may never lose our way through life and end up in the far countries of the soul:
That we may never abandon the struggle for truth,
   but that we may endure to the end, and be saved.
That we may never choose the cheap and passing things,
   and let go the precious things that last forever.
That we may never choose the easy way in preference
   to the right way to accomplish good in this world.
That we may not forget that few things are achieved
   without the expenditure of self, and our earthly goods.
O Lord, keep and strengthen us by your grace and mercy.
   This we ask in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
 

     Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 
      O God, You have bound us together in life through your church. Give us grace to understand how our lives depend upon the courage, the industry, honesty, and integrity of each other. Help us to respect each others needs, and to show our gratefulness for extended kindnesses. Grant us power to gage our time. Let us not waste it on useless anxieties, and self pity. Help us to use our time wisely by taking control of our lives.
    Let us use disappointments as material for patience.
    Let us use success as substance for thankfulness.
    Let us use suspense as matter for perseverance;
    Let us use danger as an cause for courage;
    Let us use pleasure as an intangible for temperance;
    and help us to use pains as element for endurance.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
 
 

    O Lord, We bless thy name because you love us and are vitally concerned about our well being. As we become aware of your love we are able to give love to others. Hear us this day as we express our concern for our brothers and sisters. Today we intercede for:
    those destitute in body, soul or spirit,
    those who acknowledge their dependence upon thee,
    those saints and servants who have poured out their life's
    energy seeking to make a better way for the next generation;
    And for those who have honestly given their all and failed.
Hear our prayers, O Lord, we pray; in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
 

    Everlasting God, Whose spoken Word brought order and life into existence at creation.
Brood over our unruly spirits until they too reflect thy divine image.
    In Jesus Christ we behold the fullness of life for which our spirits hunger.
Move among us and within us, that we may receive thy power
and glory in a like manner in our lives.
    O Lord, increase the fruits of goodness among us until all thoughts and desires become obedient unto the mind of Christ.
    Fill us with the love of Christ.
    Fill us with love for you.
    Fill us with love for self and others.
In the name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.
 
 

    Holy God, we come to this place this day for renewal and spiritual growth. In order for this day to be worthwhile there are some goals we desire to achieve.
    Grant us joy in doing thy will and in the knowledge that we belong to you.
    Grant us patience until we no longer fret over the success of evil because we have confidence in the ultimacy of your Will.
    Strengthen our lives that they commend you to you.
    Bestow upon us a gentleness that the sorrowing may be comforted, and the tender ones drawn to you.
    Empower us with self control to rule over our own spirits so we may be fit instruments of  your   will.  In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.