Opening Prayer: Genesis 28

Here’s an opening prayer for July 17, 2011.  It’s based on Genesis 28:10-19, one of the suggested scripture passage for that day (Proper 11A).  Feel free to revise it to suit your context.

Opening Prayer

(based on Genesis 28:10-19)

God of our fathers and mothers—

of all the generations who have come before us—

holy is Your name.

We gather in Your presence with praise and thanksgiving

for the faithful love You have shown oward Your people,

for the many blessings You have given to us.

Your promises are eternal,

and they are backed by the honour of Your name.

Thank you for Your faithful presence among us,

even when we are not fully aware of it.

Continue to reveal Yourself to us.

Open our eyes to see You here among us;

open our ears to hear Your Word.

For surely, You are with us in this place.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.

Genesis 28:10-19 is one of the suggested scripture passages for the fifth Sunday after Pentecost (July 17, 2011).  For more worship resources related to this passage, or other scripture passages for that Sunday, click on Proper 11A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For more opening prayer ideas, click on opening prayer in the list of “Labels” at the right, or see this Prayer Index.