Opening Prayer: Psalm 24

Here’s an opening prayer that uses Psalm 24 as its inspiration.  It was written by Moira Laidlaw.

Opening Prayer
(inspired by Psalm 24)

We rejoice, O God, that the earth and all who live in it are yours. We who live in the world count this a privilege beyond all other. We therefore ponder the question—who can stand before you—for we know that we do not always have clean hands and pure hearts. Yet we also know that you have reached out to us in Jesus and have reconciled us to you and to one another in him. So we lift up our heads and praise you for coming into our hearts through the risen Christ and the power of your Spirit. May this time of worship here today leave no doubt that you are the King of glory not only in our hearts and lives but also in our witness to those around us in this part of the world in which we live. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

~ written by Moira Laidlaw, on Liturgies Online.  http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/ Visit that site for many other excellent lectionary-based worship resources.