Sunday, November 5, 2006
Offered by John W. Vest, Associate Pastor

Good and gracious God,
we give you thanks for the wonders of your creation
that continue to surprise us each day.
We give you thanks for your works of justice and righteousness
that inspire us to strive for holiness in our own lives.
We give you thanks for the love of Christ
and pray that you would help us to be more like him in all that we do.
We rejoice that in you we have a loving God that hears our prayers,
and this morning we come before you with much on our hearts and minds.

Loving God,
inspire your church to be bold in its proclamation of the gospel.
Help us to be the body of Christ,
to seek unity instead of division, peace instead of strife.
Heal our wounds when we are hurt; forgive us when we stray from your path.
May we show the grace and forgiveness to others that you show to us.

And on this day of commitment and dedication for this congregation,
may we be filled with a renewed passion for the gospel.
Help us to indeed be letters of Christ.
May all that we do communicate your love.
Give us wisdom and courage to use your gifts for your glory,
to meet the needs of your children.

Lord, we continue to pray for the nations of our world
and for those in positions of power and authority.
In difficult and deadly times, we seek your guidance.
May we all work together to bring about peace and justice
and to bring an end to suffering.

And this week as our own nation gathers at the polls,
may we be inspired by a spirit of reconciliation and cooperation,
that the lines that divide us might fade.
Instead of partisan competition in which no one really wins,
may we be moved by concern for the common good,
by our responsibility to care for your good creation.

Beyond Tuesday, Lord, may all that we do
demonstrate our love for you and for our neighbors.
Help us to care for the poor and the oppressed.
Help us to comfort those who are grieving and those who are sick and dying.
May the love we surround them with help them experience your love and presence.

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church