Description
Matthew 6:5-15
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. Instead of a me-focused approach to praying like the hypocrites practiced, Jesus encouraged a humble private prayer to Father God. We glean from this passage to ask God for His will to be done on earth, rely on His daily provision, and to forgive in the same way we are forgiven. As we celebrate the independence of our country, let’s kneel before the Lord as a united people and pray for our nation.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
America the Beautiful
BH 75 508; BH 91 630; CH 799; ELW 888; HWC 572; HFG 690; WIS 505
God of Our Fathers
BH 75 149; BH 91 629; CH 809; HWC 573; HFG 687; HLC 526; LBW 567; LW 501
God of This City
Aaron Boyd, Andrew McCann, Ian Jordan, Peter Comfort, Peter Kernaghan, Richard Bleakley, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Be Strong In The Lord
BH 91 476; CH 734; HS98 866; LSB 665; WC 661, WAR 514
Before You Lord We Bow
ELW 893; LBW 401; LSB 966; LW 500
America, the Beautiful
BH 75 508; BH 91 630; CH 799; CHH 720; ELW 888; HWC 572; HFG 690; HLC 520; HGP 493; HSP 348; RH 712; STTL 759; WC 418; UMH 696; WAR 727; WHM 612; WIS 505
Invocation
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Happy Fourth of July! It feels good to be an American, but it feels even better to be child of God.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Heavenly Father, in humility we gather as a united people in this nation to honor you.
This country was founded on freedom, but to know you is true freedom. We want to pray
for the nation of the United States of America. We are here now because You’ve
purposed us to be here and to accomplish your work on earth as it is in Heaven. We are
your vessels. May our praise be pleasing to you.
ALL In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Today, Lord, we stand in the gap for our nation and those who do not know you as their
Savior. We pray on behalf of the sinners with blood-stained hands. We earnestly seek
b Your face, God!
ALL We repent of our wicked ways. We repent of giving into temptations. Forgive us
and heal our land.
Pastor We stand together and pray for a national strengthening of the body of Christ- Your
Church. We repent of laziness, spiritually sleeping, and meddling in the muck of sin.
ALL We repent. Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor We confess and pray because You, Lord, are the same yesterday, today, and forever!
You’ve called us to pray, and we obey. Thank you for your beautiful forgiveness and
grace through the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
ALL In Christ alone, we put our trust. Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
Solomon carried out the Lord’s plans for the temple. God spoke to Solomon explaining that the humble prayers, earnest seeking, and repenting of wickedness would bring forgiveness and healing to the dry land.
11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own Place, 12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
