Offering Prayer: Planting a Seed

Prayer of Dedication

(inspired by Mark 4:26-34)

May the offerings brought this day be used as seeds,
planted faithfully and nurtured lovingly
so that God’s way may be realized anew in this world.
Grant us the humility we need to plant and then tend your precious garden. Amen.


-- written by Katherine Hawker

Scripture Reference: Mark 4:26-34, Proper 6B

Offering Prayer: On My Own

based on Matthew 14:15-21

On my own
what I have to give
doesn't amount to much
in the light of all you have given to me
and in the face of so much need.
Put together as a congregation,
what we offer you here in love
becomes more,
not simply added together,
but somehow multiplied in its usefulness.
We ask you to bless our gifts
and with the addition of your blessing,
just as it was with the loaves and fishes,
there is enough for all.
Amen.

-- from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand website. http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/

Pray Yourself in Me

Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely on your holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal your will to me.

Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with firm conviction that your will governs everything. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.

Direct my will.
Teach me to pray.
Pray yourself in me.

-- The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold (1937- ), 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, 1998-2006