Prayer Vigil

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 Contributed by: Rev. Jeanne Warner, Colfax, WI This file is available in Rich Text Format version for editing

Welcome Invocation Hymn My Faith Looks Up to Thee LBW #479 Responsive Reading Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps watch over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself watches over you; The Lord is your shade at your right hand, So that the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will preserve you from all evil; it is he who will keep you safe. The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time on and forevermore. Prayer Almighty God, your love never fails, and you can turn the shadow of death into daybreak. Look in compassion on the people of this nation who are shaken and troubled. In your good time give us a right understanding of yesterday's events and reveal to us your will. Preserve us from bitterness and fear. Help us to receive your Word with believing hearts, so that, confident in your promises, we may have hope and be lifted out of darkness into the light and peace of your presence; through Jesus, the Prince of Peace we pray. Amen. Silence for Meditation Hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past LBW #320 Scripture Reading Luke 13:1-5 Responsive Reading Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities. Prayer O God, by whom your people are guided in judgement: Enable us in all our doubts and uncertainties to ask what you would have us do. Guide President Bush and the leaders of this nation with your Spirit of wisdom that they may be saved from false choices. Grant that in your light they may see the straight path which is your will, that they may not stumble. In the name of him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life - Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Silence for Meditation Hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God LBW #229 Scripture Reading Romans 8:31-39 Responsive Reading Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Prayer We pray to you, almighty God, in this time of violence and fear. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Do not let us fail in the face of these events. Uphold those who work in rescue and treatment efforts with your love, and give them the strength they need. Calm the confusion and guide their actions. Heal the hurt, console the bereaved and injured, protect the innocent and helpless, and deliver any who are in peril; for the sake of your great mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Silence for Meditation Hymn Lord of All Faithfulness LBW #469 Scripture Reading Lamentations 3:19-24 Responsive Reading Psalm 63:1-8 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips When I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Prayer P: Almighty and merciful God, our only source of health and healing, who alone can bring calm and peace: Grant to us, your children, a consciousness of your presence and a strong confidence in you. In our pain, our weariness, and our anxiety, surround us with your care, protect us by your loving might, and permit us once more to enjoy health and strength and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray: C: 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. Benediction Closing Hymn Children of the Heavenly Father LBW #474

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