PRAYER BEFORE THE CROSS OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST
Intercession for the needs of our Church and our world.
September 14, 2018
OPENING PRAYER
Behold! the wood of the Cross. Lyrics by Dan Schutte
Behold, behold the wood of the cross On which is hung our salvation Come, let us adore
[Verse 1]
Unless a grain of wheat shall fall Upon the ground and die It shall remain but a single grain And not give life
[Chorus]
Behold, behold the wood of the cross On which is hung our salvation Come, let us adore
[Verse 2]
And when my hour of glory comes As all was meant to be You will see me lifted up Upon a tree
[Chorus]
Behold, behold the wood of the cross On which is hung our salvation Come, let us adore
Time of Adoration
READING
Philippians 2:6-11
Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
RESPONSE (suggested)
Jesus Christ, the Lord. For of all the names given to us, Yours is the only to save.
LEADER I
The passion of Jesus continues in the life of the Church and in our world. Today, we are living it with brothers and sisters; with our friends and enemies, with leaders and with victims.
We are present here--to offer ourselves in Christ and the Spirit to the Father by our prayer of intercession.
LEADER I
Look, Lord, at the suffering of the world.
LEADER II
May your cross of light illumine our crosses and become for us a path to heaven.
ALL
Remember us, O Lord, Remember us.
You humbled yourself unto death, death on the cross, you, the Lord of glory. For weak who are crushed by the powerful of this world,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were overwhelmed by sadness in Gethsemani, you, the joy of the world. For those who are overcome by sadness and imprisoned in loneliness,
Remember them O Lord, Remember them.
You were betrayed by the kiss of Judas, You, the faithful friend. For the poor who are sold by their sisters and brothers,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were abandoned by all your Apostles, you, the beloved Master. For the innocent who are unjustly condemned,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were denied by your apostle Peter, You, the blessed Son of God. For those who are betrayed by lies & falsehood,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were condemned to death on the cross, you, the life of the world. For those unjustly accused and judged,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were comforted by Veronica, You, the strength of the faithful. For the friends support helps us to carry our cross,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were crucified in the midst of thieves, you, the Sun of Justice. For those who are persecuted for the sake of the Gospel.
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You died on the cross, abandoned by all, you the Savior of the world. For the innocent who are enslaved and trafficked,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
You were buried and descended into hell. you, the Resurrection of the world. For the friend who never forsakes his brother or sister,
Remember them, O Lord, Remember them.
Closing Prayer:
We want to bless you eternally, Lord Christ who died for our sins and rose for our life. As we wander in the barren desert of our life, we ask forgiveness for our failures to forgive and to love. We ask an outpouring of your Spirit upon our church, its leaders and its victims. Pour forth a Holy Spirit on us that nourishes truth, compassion and mercy in our mind and heart.
Amen.
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