Suggested Proper Prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Proper Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (RCL Lent 4C)

Joshua 5.9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5.6-21; Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32

Collect of the Day

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came from heaven to be the true bead which gives life to the world, evermore give us this bread,so that  he may live in us, and we in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [1]

or

God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with your mercy.  By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Saviourand Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.  [2]

or

Eternal Lover of our wayward race, you open your arms to accept us even before we turn to meet your welcome; you invite us to forgiveness even before our hearts are softened to repentance.  Hold before us the image of our humanity made new, so that we may live in Jesus Christ, your new creation.  Amen.  [3]

or

Merciful Lord, you know our struggle to serve you:  when sin spoils our lives and overshadows our hearts, come to our aid and turn us back to you again; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. [3]

or

God of compassion, you await the sinner’s return and spread a feast to welcome home the lost.  Save us from the temptations that lead away from you, and draw us back by the constancy of your love, so thatwe may take our place in your household and gladly share our inheritance with others.  Grant this through Christ, our liberator from sin, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever. Amen.  [4]

or

Undignified God, spirit of dangerous feasts, inviting the unclean to your table: find us in the far country of hopelessness and greed; free us from the prison of resentment and envy and bring us back to life; through Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners.  Amen. [5]

Prayer over the Gifts

God of mercy and compassion, your Word calls us home to faith and love.  Accept all we offer you this day, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen. [1]

or

God our provider, you have not fed with bread alone, but with words of grace and life.  Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [2]

Proper Preface of Lent

Blessed are you gracious God, creator of heaven and earth, because you bid your faithful people to cleanse their hearts and to prepare with joy for the paschal feast; that reborn through the waters of baptism and renewed in the eucharistic mystery, we may be more fervent in prayer and more generous in the works of love.  Therefore we raise our voices to you in praise to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]

or

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was tempted in every way, yet did not sin.  By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.  Therefore with angels and archangels and all who have served you in every age, we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name.  [1]

or

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our SaviourJesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace.  And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and joy their unending hymn:

Prayer after Communion

Giver of life, you enlighten all who come into the world.  Fill our hearts with the splendour of your grace, so thatwe may perfectly love you and worthily praise your holy name, through Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen. [1]

or

Compassionate God, you have fed us with the bread of heaven.  Sustain us in our Lenten pilgrimage:  may our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; and our prayer, the song of grateful hearts, through Jesus Christ, our Saviourand Lord. Amen.  [2]

Prayer over the People 

In place of the blessing an ancient Lenten tradition is the Prayer over the People.  

Look down in mercy, Lord, on your people who kneel before you; and grant that those whom you have nourished by your Word and Sacraments may bring forth fruit worthy of repentance; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  [7]

 

Sources

[1]       The Book of Alternative Services 1985

[2]       Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006

[3]       Trial Use Collects for Years A, B & C and Seasonal Prayers over the Gifts and after Communion 2016

[4]       Opening Prayers:  Collects in Contemporary Language 1997, 1999, 2001

[5]       Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009

[6]       Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002

[7]       The Book of Occasional Services2003

N.B.  When a word or phrase appears is italicized in a liturgical text, it is an alteration made by the Ven. Richard Geoffrey Leggett to the original text.