These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Lenten sermon series “Walking the Hard Road: When Faith is Challenged.” The bolded words are spoken by the congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”
Week 1: “When We Are Offered Shortcuts”
When the journey is long and winding,
guide us, Lord.
When there are dangers along the way,
guard us, Lord.
When we are tempted to lose faith,
give us strength, Lord.
So that today and everyday,
we can praise your name!
Week 2: “When Our Shelter is Torn Away” (adapted from Psalm 27)
One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in God’s temple.
For God will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;
God will conceal me under the cover of God’s tent;
God will set me high on a rock.
I will offer in God’s tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Week 3: “When Bad Things Happen” (adapted from Isaiah 55)
Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant.
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Week 4: “When It Goes to Waste”
If you have travelled too far this week, and lost your way:
return to the Lord.
If you have felt trapped this week, invisible and alone:
return to the Lord.
For God is waiting with open arms,
and will come running.
Return to the Lord, people of God:
we are coming home!
Week 5: “When There’s Not One Right Answer”
We gather this morning to worship Christ
bringing the best of ourselves here.
As we pour ourselves out in praise,
may we become ever more like the Crucified.
With all we are and all we have
let us praise the Lord!
Week 6: “When We Keep Silent” (Palm Sunday)
Lift up your palm branches, lift up your hearts—
the Savior is coming to town.
Sing Hosanna, sing praise—
the Savior is riding in.
Throw down your cloaks, throw down your lives—
the Savior is drawing near.
Join the parade, join the celebration—
our Savior is here!
Week 7: “When All Seems Lost” (Easter)
See what God has done!
A graveyard is a garden and a tomb is a birthplace;
Grief turns to joy, and death is overturned.
See what God is still doing!
Christ is alive! Believe and rejoice!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Deep Well Worship 