Prayers For Lent

The following prayers, written in a contemporary style, draw on images from Scripture. Use these and the commentary provided for each prayer as a guide to the writing of prayers for worship. Note how each prayer is tailored to a specific liturgical function. Opening Prayers or Prayers of Invocation Journey with us, O holy God, as we begin (or continue) our way to the cross. Sharpen our focus that our attention may center more on you than ourselves. Lead us through the shadows of darkness and prepare our hearts that we might be a people of prayer, ready to receive and respond to your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen. Commentary: The reference for this prayer originates in Mark 11:15-17. Here Jesus cleanses the temple, restoring it for its proper use. Likewise, this prayer at the beginning of worship seeks to prepare us both for the service and season of Lent. All-knowing and all-caring God, we gather this day drained by another week. We are like a parch…