A Prayer Liturgy for the Way Forward
This prayer liturgy may be used to help focus and guide your prayers during your devotional time. Feel free to follow or adapt as needed. For this liturgy, the scripture verses aren’t meant to be studied, but prayed (read) aloud or at a low volume. You also may just choose one verse at a time and vary up the selection day to day. The entire liturgy may be completed in as little as 10-15 minutes.
I. The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
II. Verses on Unity
Ruth 1:11-18; Philippians 2:1-15; John 17: 20-26
III. Prayer for Unity
God, Your wish for Your people has always been to stick together and live under the promises and purpose of Your will. Jesus, help us to live united with You and in You, remembering that through our baptisms all believers are one church, united and universal. May the Holy Spirit guide us through our words and actions to be a force for peace, for healing, and for unity, through this day and the days to come. Amen.
IV. Word of God Verses
Isaiah 55:1-13; James 1: 19-27; John 1:1-28
V. Prayer for the Word of God
God, thank You for the gift of Your written word to guide us as we learn who You are, what You are doing, and what You will do. Jesus, You are the incarnate Word through which we understand all of the written word. May the Holy Spirit guide us as we read Your word, equipping us to share the joy of the Gospel for all people. Amen.
VI. Future Verses
Psalm 103:1-22; Romans 8:18-39; Matthew 7:7-12
VII. Prayer for the Future
God, the future is a place of uncertainty and anxiety for us. Help us remember that Your present and future Kingdom is certain and good. Jesus, help us to look forward in light of Your Good News and our mission to tell people of all races, ages, nations, abilities, classes, identities, orientations, and cultures about what You’ve done and are doing. May the Holy Spirit give us the vision and hope to live each day as beloved members of the Kingdom of God. Amen.
VIII. Free Prayer Time
This is unstructured time for you to pray as your heart and the Holy Spirit lead you, as you reflect on the liturgy or other things.
IX. The Lord’s Prayer
Our father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.