Hope Church Prayer Book seeks to promote a worship culture from Monday to Saturday by conveying worship resources from Sundays. Worship is not a thought, but an action; not a concept, but a practice. And the more we practice, the more in shape we get - in the shape of Jesus. So sing out loud or read a responsive prayer before dinner. Each month’s prayer book will now be available on Hope’s website under the resources tab!
Prayer
This Father’s Day we prayed the Lord’s prayer together. We invite you to stop what you’re doing and pray it out loud right now
Our Father, who is in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Now take a moment to say – and to revel in the fact that you can say – “Our Father” “My Father”
Lament
Lament is just complaining to God. When our backs are turned we miss the fact that good and bad times alike can serve the same heavenly purpose: We get to be in God’s presence. We invite you to use this lament, especially the parts that grieve you, and take it to God directly.
“I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God”
13:21 – Withdraw your hand from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors
We mourn for the people in our world who are facing terrors.
for the people of Congo as they face the terror of Ebola. We mourn for those who have already lost loved ones, including children and babies.
for those who are facing the terror of war: in Ukraine, Sudan & South Sudan, parts of West Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. We mourn the loss of life and the fear war causes.
for those facing the terror of natural disasters, including this week’s earthquake in the Phillipines, the fires in southern NM, and the continued effects of flooding in Hawaii and Florida. We mourn the destruction and the uncertainty.
Lord, though you slay me, yet I will praise you; though you slay me, yet I will hope in you.
13:24 – Why do you hide your face from me?
We mourn for those who feel forgotten
for those who are estranged from family and friends, and for the difficulty of reconciliation
for those who are facing unspeakable illness, and for their loved ones who help bear the weight of their suffering
for those who suffer depression and anxiety, and for the hopelessness these can bring
for those who are battling addiction – to substances, porn, sports betting – and for the ways that addiction robs us of our joy
Lord, though you slay me, yet I will praise you; though you slay me, yet I will hope in you.
13:25 – Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
We mourn for those who – like a windblown leaf – are exposed and vulnerable
for the victims of abuse, especially those who see no way out
for those who are trafficked – even children and youth – and who are dehumanized for another’s personal gain
for those who are exposed on the street, and yet overlooked by the system and by their neighbors
for the families who don’t know where their food will come from during the summer months, away from school lunches and the backpack program
Lord, though you slay me, yet I will praise you; though you slay me, yet I will hope in you.
13:26 – You write down bitter things against me and make me inherit the sins of my youth
We mourn that we are a people prone to sin, from birth to old age, and we cannot stand beneath its weight
We mourn for the inclination of our heart, toward self-centeredness and indifference to those around us
We mourn for the ways we insult you when we try to live life apart from you, your people and your Word
Lord, though you slay me, yet I will praise you; though you slay me, yet I will hope in you.
Creeds
The Nicene Creed has been used as a rally point of belief for the church for seventeen centuries. Creeds put it all down on one page and help us realize how good things really are. We intuitively make bad lists. Creeds overwhelm us with deeper realities. We invite you to say this aloud in a set apart time and place, alone or with a group of people around you.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
*universal
Baby Dedications
Take a moment to pray again for the little ones and their parents who dedicated them to the Lord this month. It’s a great way to follow through on the commitment you made that day. Maybe even use the same prayer Pastor Ryan used when he laid his hands on them and blessed them – only insert the names if you remember them from that morning.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
And use the charges below as fodder for prayer, lifting up child and parent alike.
Charges
To the parents: The scriptures tell us that every child is a gift from God. Do you acknowledge that God has entrusted these children to your care to be loved and nurtured, disciplined and instructed, in life and in the gospel. If you agree, say, “we do.”
To the parents: Is it your intention to surround your children with the means of grace at home by the example that you set with your own faith and practice and by participating in the life and worship of this community? If you agree, say, “It is, with God’s help.”
To the church: Will you, as members of this community, support and encourage these families as they share in our life together, walking with them in the way and mission of Jesus. If you do, say, “We will, with God’s help.”
To the parents: Do you now, without reservation, dedicate your children to the Lord, trusting Him to call them by His Spirit to Himself, fold them into His family, and nurture them in the way and mission of Jesus? If you do, say, “We do, with God’s help.”
