Morning Prayer I at The Welcome Table

Praying The Hours with The Welcome Table missional community

The Hour: Dawn. “Prayer belongs less to time than to eternity.” (Merton)

Opening Verse: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of God has dawned upon you. For behold, darkness covers the land; deep gloom enshrouds the peoples. But over you the light of God will rise, and God’s glory will appear upon you….Your gates will always be open; by day or night they will never be shut….Violence will no more be heard in your land,  ruin or destruction within your borders. You will call your walls, Salvation, and all your portals, Praise. (from the Third Song of Isaiah)

Invocation:
One: Today is the day which God has made:
All: Let us rejoice and be glad therein.
One: What does the Eternal require of us?
All: To live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.                            One: May we treat this day as a gift given unto us, with surprise, delight, care and attention, and may we find ways to share this life’s gifts with others.                    All: Thanks be to God.

Covenant:
One: This is our covenant as we walk together in life in the ways of God known and to be made known, following our mission to make the radically loving and liberating spirit of Jesus visible in the world, wherever we are, together or apart:
All: In the light of truth, and the loving and liberating spirit of Jesus, we gather in freedom, to worship God, and serve all.

O Lord, let me soul rise up to meet you, as the day rises to meet the sun (Common Prayer: A Litany for ordinary radicals)

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm:

O Lord, open our lips
All: and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, •
and all that is within me bless the holy.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, •
and forget not all that has been given;

The forgiveness of all sins •
the healing of all infirmities;

The redemption of all lives •
Filling all with faithful love and compassion;

The bearers of good things, •
renew our strength.

Justice is begun •
for all who are oppressed.

Bless the Lord, all you hosts, •
you who do God’s will.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm Prayer: O God, Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Grant to your people the spirit of unity,
that they may dwell together in your love, and so bear to the world the ointment of your healing and the dew of your blessing this day. In Christ, we pray, Amen.

Reading and Silent Reflection and Prayer

Intercessions: In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us,  To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (from Luke 1)

After each intercession is offered: Hear our prayer, O God.

The Lord’s Prayer: (feel free to use a version closest to your heart and in your own church tradition) 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. 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.

Silence

Closing Prayer: God give us the imagination to dream and catch glimpses of the life you intend for us to live. Show us how our individual lives are entwined with those around us, and help us to live so truly together that we embody your good news in this world. Amen. (Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, Claiborne, et al)

Benediction:  Go in Peace. Go meet God, and serve with God today, wherever you may go.