Prayers around the Cross
PJ: We are gathered today on the occupied territory of the Sana and Tonkawa People who have stewarded this land for generations.
Leader1: Welcome to Prayer around the Cross, a worship service with prayer, simple singing, and communion.
PJ: The songs we sing tonight are simple phrases and may be brand new to you. For each song, Ethan, the worship leader, will sing it through once at the beginning. We will repeat each song several times. As we do so, let the words deepen into your spirit and let them guide your prayer.
Gathering Song
PJ: A reading from Deuteronomy. [Moses said to the people:],
Leader1: See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.
Leader2: If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
PJ: But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
Leader1: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Leader2: Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
PJ: Here, all are equal.
Leader1: There is no test to pass,
PJ: No “right kind of Christian” to be.
Leader1: All that matters is that you are here.
(Pause)
Leader2: All are one in Christ.
PJ: God is not bound by our differences.
Leader2: All are one in Christ.
Leader1: Where we push people apart, God draws us together.
Leader2: May we be grateful
PJ: For community and for people who love us, just as we are.
Leader2: May we be grateful
Leader1: That none of us are above any other.
Leader2: May we be grateful
PJ: That God believes that we are all worthy of love
Leader1: For God has loved us this far, and God’s love will carry us on.
Leader2: May we be grateful to You, O Christ, for proving God’s love to us.
(Pause)
PJ: Tonight, we are called to the cross, the symbol of Jesus’ transformation.
Leader1: We are called into an abundant life with God,
Leader2: We are called to let our hearts be changed, to be nourished, to be transformed.
PJ: Tonight, you are invited to the cross.
Leader1: When you are ready, come to the cross, light a candle, and pray.
Leader2: At the cross, you may be close to another member of the community. If you choose to pray at the cross, the members of the community that are sitting near you are invited to pray silently for you – and with you.
PJ: Those near you may lay a hand on you as they pray with you. This is a physical connection that shows the spiritual connection that we are all united as children of God. All are invited to also sing their prayers.
(Pause)
Leader1: Come when you are ready, for the God who is always faithful is eager to be with you in prayer.
Prayer at the Cross (with 2 songs)
Sending Song
PJ: And now a final blessing.
Leader1: Go now in the righteousness of faith and live by God’s just demands. Let nothing claim your devotion above the Lord, and count nothing of value above knowing Christ. Press on towards the ultimate prize, of being one with him.
Leader2 And may God’s perfect word revive your soul; May Christ Jesus be your savior and your rock; And may the Holy Spirit strengthen you to press ever onward.
(Pause)
PJ: Stay for a while in prayer here at the cross,
Leader1: Or, take your pillow and go, joining in community with those present.
PJ: No matter if you choose to stay or to go, we ask you to do so in silence.
Leader2: And in God’s peace.
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