Father, it would seem easy to think about our frailty and mortality when we hear about the violence and death in the world, but we still manage to go through life without focusing on what is truly important.  This Lent, may we focus on you.  Strengthen our relationship with you and help us to grow in faith.  Help us to examine ourselves and our lives that we might turn again toward you, and live more fully into your grace and what you are calling us to do.  Our prayers are with the people of Syria and Argentina.  Comfort those who mourn and bring about justice for all people.  In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer, focusing on forgiveness.

We hear about you meeting Moses on the mountain and how he brought your people to meet you at the foot of the mountain.  And then, looking on the CNN website at the world news, in among the news of terrible things happening – there is a question: “what do you believe?”  You meet us among the bad news and the good news.  You appear in the midst of trouble, sorrow, joy and laughter.  And for that, O Lord, we give you thanks and praise.  We give you thanks that we are never alone in this world – that your hand guides and leads us, never to forsake or abandon us.  Praise be to God!  Amen.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer, savoring these words and letting them sink in.

Lord, it is good for us to be here.  It is good for us to hear about your transfiguration and to catch a glimpse of your radiant glory.  It is good to see your transformation and to know that you are at work transforming our world and us.  When it seems like we can never do anything right or when we feel like we keep failing, may we know and trust that you are still at work in us.  Help us to catch glimpses of you in our lives and help us to see how you are at work in us so that others might catch a glimpse of your glory.  In Christ’s name we pray, AMEN.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer and/or the Doxology:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God you creatures here below.
Praise God above, you heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Dear One, we hear in the news today about pain, suffering and injustice.  We pray for the victims of the prison fire in Honduras.  Be with their families and bring them comfort in times of sorrow.  We also pray for those struggling with extreme poverty – those who are often preyed upon by human traffickers.  We especially pray for the poor of Vietnam.  Lord, it is easy to feel the weight of these stories and to be unable to see any goodness in the world.  But there is hope.  There is hope because you are at work in the world, moving through ordinary people to bring about change and to work for justice.  Work through us, O Lord, and fill us with a radiant hope we can share with others.  In Christ’s name we pray, AMEN.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer, paying attention to see if any particular words or phrases jump out at you.

For more about the situation in Vietnam, check out this article.

Holy Lord, we come before you, sinners forgiven through your death and granted new life in you.  We know that we continue to sin and fall short of the new life to which you have called us.  Still, you desire to work through us to bring about your kingdom.  Though we are sinners, may we, through Christ, speak as persons of sincerity – as persons sent from God and standing in God’s presence.  Fill our hearts with the desire to serve and to follow you each day.  In Christ’s name we pray, AMEN.    

Close with the Lord’s Prayer, pausing between each petition.

Precious One, you used four men with leprosy at the end of their ropes to bring good news to your people Israel.  You used people who were marginalized and seen as unclean to bring about joy.  And, thankfully, you haven’t stopped working in unexpected and surprising ways through unexpected people!  Holy One, there are still people on the margins – people we view as unclean or people to be avoided for one reason or another.  On this Valentine’s Day, may we share your love with all people.  Bring an end to stigma and to the passive apathy that avoids and ignores those different than ourselves.  In Christ’s name we pray, AMEN.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer, pausing after each word.

O Lord, you gave Uzziah aid and blessed him with success.  But he became proud and forgot that you were the one to make him successful in the first place.  May we keep before our eyes what you have done for us and give you thanks and praise, remembering from where our help has come.  Humble us when we are proud and encourage us when we feel weak, that we might follow you and walk in your ways.  In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer, pausing between each line.