First Presbyterian Church
(Billings, Montana)
Service of Prayer
September 12, 2001
Thanks to the Rev. John Shuck,
pastor of the church, who shared this with us.
OPENING SENTENCES
O God, come to our assistance.
O Lord, hasten to help us.
Now that we have been put right with God through faith,
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He has brought us by faith into the grace
of God.
We rejoice in the hope of sharing God's glory!
*HYMN OF LIGHT #210 "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past"
PRAYER DURING A NATIONAL CRISIS
God of ages,
In your sight nations rise and fall,
And pass through times of peril.
Now when our land is troubled,
Be near to judge and save.
May leaders be led by your wisdom;
May they search your will and see it clearly.
If we have turned from your way,
Help us to reverse our ways and repent.
Give us your light and your truth to guide us;
Through Jesus Christ,
Who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.
A READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Psalm 46
A READING FROM THE QU'RAN Surah 4:135
Let the man who seeks the reward of this life know
that God holds the rewards of this life and of the hereafter. He hears
all and sees all.
Believers, conduct yourselves with justice and bear true witness
before God, even though it be against yourselves, your parents, or
your kinsfolk. Be they rich or poor, God knows better about them both.
So do not be led by passion, lest you swerve from the truth. If you
distort your testimony or decline to give it, know that God is
cognizant of all your actions.
A READING FROM THE GOSPELS John 14:1-3, 25-27
SILENT REFLECTION
MEDITATION
*HYMN #404 "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
O God of all creation, Designer of beauty and goodness:
We pray that our work may preserve beauty and increase justice.
May human ingenuity be used creatively,
And our cleverness not lead to destruction.
We see war between nations and we are afraid;
We know conflict within our very selves and we are fearful.
Where we are responsible for human need, injustice,
sorrow and suffering, we pray for forgiveness, O Lord.
We pray for Your reconciliation and peace, O Lord of all.
We pray as fearful people, that we may find courage.
We pray as weary people, that we may find rest;
As sorrowing people, that we may find comfort;
As despairing people, that we may find hope.
We pray that we may experience Your healing peace in the
midst of our brokenness, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
(spoken and silent petitions may be offered at this time)
THE LORD'S PRAYER
*HYMN #293 "This is My Father's World"
*BENEDICTION
Now go and breathe deeply, for each breath is from
God;
Go and serve gently, for the earth and its people are fragile;
Go with energy and strength, for God knows your every need,
and God's Spirit will grant you peace. AMEN.
