Weekly Collect Prayer

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Lectionary weekly collect prayer for week beginning May 21

New Temple Prayer

Fill in the blank each time you pray.


By your great mercy, we are Living Stones fitted together in Your New Temple. May your Spirit and Presence be known through our _______________________.




contemporary lectionary prayer based upon 1 Peter 2:2-10

Resurrection Promise

Mighty God,
in whom we know the power of redemption,
you stand among us in the shadows of our time.
As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning
when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,
we will share in his resurrection,
redeemed and restored to the fullness of life
and forever freed to be your people. Amen.




From Revised Common Lectionary, weekly prayers, copyright Augsburg Fortress

New Year's Eve Prayer

At the beginning of this new year,
we implore God's blessing upon our work
and pray for the needs of this new year of grace.
Throughout all time you have blessed your people, O God,
and dwelt among them.
On the eve of this new year,
inspire and guide us,
that all we do may find in you its beginning and fulfillment. Amen.

from Revised Common Lectionary prayers, Year A, New Year's Day

Prayer to Our Nurturing God

Nurturing God,
remembering the exile of the holy family
and Herod's slaughter of the children,
we remember all who need our sustaining love.
Hear our prayers for the church and the community in the world.
Grant that all people may hear together the song of joy,
and find their homes in the garden of justice and hope,
that we may experience the fullness of life,
which is your will for all,
in the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, First Sunday After Christmas

God of Hope

God of hope,
you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression
to the freedom of justice,
the balm of healing,
and the joy of sharing.
Make us strong to join you in your holy work,
as friends of strangers and victims,
companions of those whom others shun,
and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

from Revised Common Lectionary prayers, Year A, Third Week of Advent

Prayer for Wakefulness

Christ, our God, 

whom humble shepherds worshiped at a manger, 

you are holy and most high, merciful and mighty. 

Startle us to wakefulness, 

that we may rejoice in your new and glorious dawn, 

and, in your holy name, 

act to mend this suffering world. Amen. 





From Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, Christmas

The Gift of Jesus Christ

God of promise,
you have given us a sign of your love
through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
who was promised from ages past.
We believe as Joseph did
the message of your presence
whispered by an angel,
and offer our prayers for your world,
confident of your care and mercy for all creation. Amen.

from Revised Common Lectionary prayers, Year A, Fourth Week of Advent

Child of Bethlehem

O Holy One,
heavenly angels spoke to earthly shepherds
and eternity entered time in the child of Bethlehem.
Through the telling of the Christmas story,
let our temporal lives be caught up in the eternal
in that same child,
that we might join shepherds and all the heavenly host
in praising the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.


From Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, Christmas

God of Glory Shines

God of glory,
your splendor shines from a manger in Bethlehem,
where the Light of the world is humbly born
into the darkness of human night.
Open our eyes to Christ's presence in the shadows of our world,
so that we, like him, may become beacons of your justice,
and defenders of all for whom there is no room. Amen.

From Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, Christmas

Abba, You Visited Your People

We bless you, Abba, Father,
for you have visited your people
in one like us in all things but sin,
and in human fragility you have revealed
the face of divinity.
Gather into your arms
all the peoples of the world,
so that in your embrace
we may find blessing, peace,
and the fullness of our inheritance
as your daughters and sons. Amen.


From Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, Christmas

Light of Life

Light of life, you came in flesh,
born into human pain and joy,
and gave us power to be your children.
Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us,
so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness
and walk in the way of peace. Amen.

From Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, Christmas

Welcoming Christ with Praise

O God of Elizabeth and Mary,
you visited your servants with news of the world's redemption
in the coming of the Savior.
Make our hearts leap with joy,
and fill our mouths with songs of praise,
that we may announce glad tidings of peace,
and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.

from Revised Common Lectionary prayers, Year A, Fourth Week of Advent

Shepherd of Israel

Shepherd of Israel,
may Jesus, Emmanuel and son of Mary,
be more than just a dream in our hearts.
With the apostles, prophets, and saints,
save us, restore us,
and lead us in the way of grace and peace,
that we may bear your promise into the world. Amen.

from Revised Common Lectionary prayers, Year A, Fourth Week of Advent