Trust and Act, a prayer inspired by the boy who shared his food, John 6.1-21

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes (La multiplication des pains) by James Tissot

Trust and Act by Lisa Degrenia
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” – John 6:9 (NRSV)

Miraculous One,
Our own needs and the needs of our world overwhelm us
We question if anything can be done
We become paralyzed with despair and fear
We numb and do nothing

Thank you for the nameless child
He trusts and acts
He has little, but in your hands, it’s honored
it’s more than enough

Grant us his generosity and willingness
Help us trust you beyond what we can see or imagine

We ask this in your strong name, Jesus
You are the one who makes all things possible
and all things new. Amen.

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I’m posting prayers based on the Gospel of John throughout the seasons of Lent and Easter this year. Thanks for coming along with me on the journey. – Lisa <><

John 6:1-21 is read on Year B — Season after Pentecost — Proper 12 (17)

Trust and Act © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog, etc.

Prayers Inspired by Jesus and the Woman at the Well, John 4.5-42

Olivewood sculpture from the Holy Land

Opening Prayer
We remember the woman at the well –
     her questions, her truth, her witness.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, so like her
     we may ask candidly,
     reveal ourselves deeply, and
     share your Good News freely.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us,
     so we may worship you in spirit and truth.
Amen.

Prayer of Confession
Jesus, we thirst
We thirst for love and belonging
We thirst for security and provision
We thirst for truth and hope
We thirst for healing for our wounds
We thirst for mercy for our sin, our guilt, our shame

Time of silent confession

Assurance of Pardon
Jesus, you pour yourself out for us and the world
     so we may be born again of water and the Spirit,
     so we may never thirst again

We thank you and praise you for your eternal blessing and forgiveness.
Help us lead others to the well of your saving love.
Amen

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John 4:5-42 is read on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A

Prayers Inspired by Jesus and the Woman at the Well © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

You Cannot Love Me More, a prayer affirming God’s unconditional love

An Undivided Heart by Gillian Ross

You cannot love me more
You will not love me less
You love me fully
Now and always

Help me accept the gift of your love
Help me trust it
Help me accept it fully

There’s no need to earn your love
No need for anxious striving
No fear of misstep or failure

You release me from falsehood
You free me from shame
You make me alive with promise

You cannot love me more
You will not love me less
You love me fully
Now and always

Hallelujah!

You Cannot Love Me More © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Prayers Inspired by 1 John

Inspired by 1 John 1:7
If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Hallelujah!
Blessing and honor to God, the Beautiful and Holy One!
You are helping us walk together
Helping us walk together in fellowship and light

Hallelujah! You are
Drawing us together in the journey of faith
Cleansing us
Redeeming us
Fulfilling your goodness and hope through us
Making us light as you are light

Hallelujah!
Blessing and honor to God
Blessing and honor to the Beautiful and Holy One!

Inspired by 1 John 2:6
Whoever says, “I abide in him” ought to walk in the same way as he walked.

Welcoming One,
You abide in me, I abide in you
a mystery, a grace, a belonging
May this belonging bear fruit
May this belonging be seen by all
An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace

Make me a sign,
written in your hand, written on your palm

Make me a sign
Aglow in the shadows, lighting the way to you
Lighting the way home to you

Inspired by 1 John 3:14b
Whoever does not love abides in death

Love one another, as Christ commanded
As Christ demonstrated through deed and truth
As Christ made possible through death and resurrection
As Christ sustains through the gift of Holy Spirit

Love is life, choose life over death
Love is truth, choose truth over death
Love is righteousness, right relationship with one and all
Creator and creation, Sovereign and self
Choose righteousness over death

We love in word and speech, deed and truth
We love and abide
We love and live

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Glory to you, the Way, the Truth, the Life
Glory to you, the Resurrection and the Life
Love and Life are made possible through you

Inspired by 1 John 4:16a
So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

You love me
You love first
You are Love

You make it possible for me to love and be loved
For me to be born of your love, born again
For me to abide in you, and you in me
For me to abide in your love

Perfectionism is twisted and harmful
It’s not about being perfect for you
Your love for me is already perfect
It’s about you perfecting your love in me
Your love through me

You’re perfecting your love and perfecting my trust of your love
My trust of you, Love
Help me trust you
Help me accept the gift of you and your love

Inspired by 1 John 5:7-8
There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree.

Testify, Brother Water
You who witness
creation from chaos
freedom of slaves
the bearing and birthing of Word Made Flesh

Testify, Sister Blood
You who witness
death pass over
genocide and sacrifice
the bearing and birthing of resurrection and life

Testify, Holy Spirit
You who witness
the way in the wilderness
the fire of Pentecost
the bearing and birthing of courage and call

May your truth and our truth speak the same story
of God’s grace, power, and transforming love

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Reading through 1 John is part of the 2023 Bible Reading Plan for the New Year. Consider this your invitation to join us. Click here for more information and the plan. 

Prayers Inspired by 1 John © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
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Listen and Act, a prayer for the new year based on Matthew 2.13-23

Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Luc Olivier Merson
Rest on the Flight to Egypt by Luc Olivier Merson

ONE:
Joseph is silent
He listens and acts

ALL:
Lord, help us listen
Still the noise around us and in us
Still the urgency and anxiety
Still the destruction and falsehood

Lord, help us listen
Break through with your still, small voice
with your calm and clarity
with your leading and light

You reveal the needed next steps
You provide all we need to make the journey

Lord, help us listen and help us act
Amen

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This prayer is based on Matthew 2:13-23, the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt and return.

Listen and Act © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.