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A Prayer for the Evening

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Text J. Newton (1725-1807) from HymnsForToday'sChurch ~ ©1990 Westminster/John Knox Press ~ Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CCL #11426131

Stay with us, Lord, since the day is far spent and the night is coming; kindle our hearts on the Way, that we may recognize you in the scriptures, in the breaking of the bread, and in each other. Amen.

Please be seated. A period of silence is observed.

The Reading John 10:1–10

Lector A reading from the Gospel of John.

Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

A period of silence is observed.

The Reflection

The Rev. Becky Zartman, Canon Missioner for Evangelism and Formation

Two minutes of silence is observed following the reflection.

Prayers of the People (The people stand for the prayers.)

The Leader begins.

As evening falls and courage sometimes falters, let us turn our hearts to God in prayer.

Silence

We pray for those gathered here and all that lies heavy on our hearts. We pray that you would know our needs even before we recognize them. Grant us those good things for which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot, ask.

Silence

We pray for those in positions of leadership in the world, our nation, our state, and our city. Grant them the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that they may promote the well-being of all people.

Silence

We pray for the sick, the bereaved, the oppressed, and the homeless, that they may be comforted by your Holy Spirit, who brings light to the darkest places.

Silence

We pray for the broken and torn fabric of the earth as it yearns for healing, trusting that you make all things new.

Silence

We pray for this and all communities of faith. We pray that you would open the hearts of your faithful to seek your truth and pursue it in love.

Silence

We pray that you would disturb us, Lord, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little; when with the abundance of things we possess we have lost our thirst for the water of life. Push back, we pray, the horizons of our hopes, and move us into your future in strength, courage, hope, and love.