We have no mission but to serve
in full obedience to our Lord,
to care for all, without reserve,
to spread his liberating word.
# 694 MBW
Let us pray a liturgy of Compassion
God hears the cry of the needy and does not wait for us to call before coming to our aid. While humanity was still lost in its brokenness, God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ, lived among us, died our death and rose to lead us into life. And so, we come to worship, to offer God our devotion and love, our thanksgiving and praise.
For God is worthy of our praise.
Holy One, you are a God of compassion. You desire that all might be whole.
In the brokenness of our lives, you continue to turn toward us with the hope that we will accept your renewing love and find new meaning for our lives in you. You have established compassion as the foundation for all relationships and societies. You commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others in the same manner that we ourselves wish to be treated.
Yet at times we find ourselves preoccupied with our own self-interests at the expense of helping others. Teach us to love ourselves in a way that embraces others also. Give us courage to make room at the center of our world where others might be renewed by your healing presence.
Fill us with your spirit of compassion, Lord, that we might not act or speak out of our own self interests.
Fill us with the desire to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures. Heal our hearts that we might refrain from acting in ways that will cause pain.
Open the hearts of all people to the profound truth of Jesus Christ
Call all nations to repent from any action that would increase the sum of human misery in the name of religion. Replace the apathy and selfishness of the world with passion to cultivate empathy with the suffering of all human beings.
Lord, redeem us from actions that deny our common humanity.
We desire peace over war, generosity over greed, patience over intolerance, compassion over callous judgment.
At the root of God’s compassion is the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are each in need of Christ’s compassion. Gratitude is our true response to God who calls us to be Christ’s compassion in the world. How is God inviting you to offer greater compassion?
Jesus, in extravagant compassion, has already revealed our forgiveness and calls us to live as those who are renewed and thankful. Receive this grace and share it.
We are grateful; we live differently because of what you, Lord Jesus, have done for us. As one body with one voice we share the prayer our Lord has taught us.
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 and ever. Amen.
Watchword for the Week:
I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Psalm 146:2
Watchword for Today
Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is a reward for your work, says the Lord. Jeremiah 31:16
Doctrinal Text
And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Luke 18:7
Prayer for Today
God of grace, merciful and just are you. Our weeping may endure for the night, but your joy comes in the morning. This gives us strength and courage to stand for justice, peace, and love.
Amen.
Congregation Watchword for the Year
The Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:1
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