Congregational Prayer

Leader: God of all goodness, whose light has entered the world through Jesus Christ, whose mercy and justice have shaped our lives and our history, we come before You in reverence and awe.

All: Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Leader: In a world marked by war, violence, disaster, and deep division, we ask not only for repair, but for renewal, beginning in us as Your people.

All: Your kingdom come.

Leader: As those called out of darkness into Your marvelous light, form us to live faithfully, resisting the patterns of this age and reflecting the life of Christ.

All: Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Leader: We lift before You those facing hunger, displacement, poverty, and insecurity, and we remember that Your goodness has often reached the world through the care of Your people.

All: Give us today our daily bread.

Leader: In a time shaped by resentment, fear, and hardened hearts, search us, heal what is broken within us, and teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven in Christ.

All: And forgive us our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors.

Leader: As voices compete for our loyalty and truth is often distorted, help us resist division and hatred, refuse to see one another as enemies, and trust the way of Jesus, the way of peace.

All: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Leader: Send us as Your chosen people into a watching world, that through our lives, our love, and our good deeds, the goodness of Jesus might be seen and Your name honored.

All: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

Leader:

Gracious Father, we come before You as those who have been raised with Christ

Yet we confess that we often set our hearts on earthly things instead of things above.

Congregation:

Lord, turn our hearts to You. Lift our eyes to Christ, who is our life.

Leader:

You call us to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature,

but we confess that sin still clings to us.

We have chased impurity, greed, and selfish ambition.

We have spoken harshly, held grudges, and given anger a home in our hearts.

Congregation:

Lord, forgive us. Strip away the old self with its practices, and renew us in the image of Christ.

Leader:

We confess that at times we have forgotten who we are, Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved.

Congregation:

Lord, clothe us again. Dress us in the garments of Christ.

Leader:

Clothe us with compassion, that we might see the hurting and move toward them in love.

Congregation:

Lord, make us tenderhearted as You are tenderhearted.

Leader:

Clothe us with kindness, that our words and deeds would reflect Your generous grace.

Congregation:

Lord, make us gentle and gracious in spirit.

Leader:

Clothe us with humility, that we might serve instead of seek status.

Congregation:

Lord, make us content to take the lowest place, as Jesus did.

Leader:

Clothe us with gentleness and patience, that we might bear with one another in love, forgiving as You forgive us.

Congregation:

Lord, teach us to forgive freely and fully, to let mercy rule our relationships.

Leader:

And over all these virtues, bind us together in love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Congregation:

Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Make us one body, called to peace.

Leader:

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among us, in our teaching, our singing, our conversations, and our homes, so that gratitude fills everything we do.

Congregation:

Whatever we do, in word or deed, we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

All:

Amen.

GOSPEL FORMATION:

Leader: Father, may we become more like Jesus as we follow Him together and individually.

Congregation: Help us to abide in You, bearing fruit as a result of time spent in Your presence.

GOSPEL CULTURE:

Leader: Help us to grow as a community of peace, loving one another as Jesus loves us, aware that we are doing all of life before Your presence.

Congregation: May compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience characterize our interactions with each other and our witness in the world.

GOSPEL MERCY:

Leader: Compel us to embody good news as we eagerly remember the poor, the mourning, and the oppressed.

Congregation: Help us to demonstrate mercy with pure intentions, restoring peace and ensuring justice to those who are suffering.

GOSPEL OUTREACH:

Leader: Compel us to enthusiastically engage our community and bless with gospel intentionality.

Congregation: May we be faithful gospel witnesses in our workplaces, our schools, and our neighborhoods.

GOSPEL UNITY:

Leader: Help us to actively pursue unity with other gospel-centered ministries, realizing we are one part of God’s greater mission.

Congregation: Strengthen and unify your Church across Tampa Bay and beyond. May our nation and our world experience peace as your kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.

Leader:

Loving Father, revealed in all creation, shown to us by your Son, your Spirit, and the Holy Scriptures, our creator and our salvation, to you be the glory.

All:

Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Leader:

Heal this broken world. Heal us and transform us into Christ’s image.

All:

Your kingdom come.

Leader:

May faithfulness guide us in all we do, as we follow Christ's example and live as your holy people.

All:

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Leader:

We pray for the needs of all your children, for shelter, clothing, and sustenance.

All:

Give us this day our daily bread.

Leader:

Forgive us, merciful Father, and renew your image within us. Free us from bitterness and malice, so we may forgive as you have forgiven us in Christ.

All:

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Leader:

As we navigate the complexities of the world, strengthen us to resist the allurements that can lead us astray.

All:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Leader:

May we be constantly aware of your presence within us and your Church, comforted by your love and empowered to serve all creation in Christ's name.

All:

For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen