Call to Worship Cycle: I Give Up (But in the Good Way)

These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Lenten sermon series “I Give Up (But in the Good Way): Lent After a Year of Sacrifices.” 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.”

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Week 1: “I Give Up…”

Lord, we’ve been in the wilderness
lonely and longing, hungry and hurting.
We’ve given up our pleasures and joys
for many more than forty days.
We’re looking for new hope now,
eager for a life more abundant than this.  
Bring us through the wilderness, Lord.
We worship our Resurrected Christ!

Week 2: “I Give Up… Chasing Approval”

Lord, we come to set the record straight:
you’re the only one to worship,
the only one worthy of praise.
You alone give new life;
you alone restore our souls;
you alone love us with a perfect, perfect love.
In this hour, Lord, let us rest in you;
whatever we bring to you, it’s enough
whoever we are today, it’s enough.

Week 3: “I Give Up… Exhausting Myself”

Lord, you gave us this holy day for rest
so we settle down our bodies
to be open to your gentle Spirit:
feet on the floor, hands open
hearts lifted, minds quiet.
On this Sabbath day,
we rest.

Week 4: “I Give Up… What’s Killing Me”

Lord, the riches of your mercy surround us:
your grace, your love, your power, your touch.
So we take this hour to say thank you.
Thank you for what you’ve done.
Thank you for who you are.
You never ask for repayment, but only our worship—
only our hearts lifted to yours!
Let us worship God.

Week 5: “I Give Up… What Used to Work”

Lord, your faithfulness is so deep
while we are so prone to wander.
Direct our eyes again to the glories of your love,
your covenant written on our very hearts.
We return to you in worship
we seek you in praise! 

Week 6: “I Give Up… to Be Like Christ” (Palm Sunday)

Lord, we join the throngs shouting your praise:
Hosanna! Hosanna to the King!
But let us stay with you when the crowds thin
and the palm branches blow away.
Teach us to walk in the way of your self-emptying love.
Give us the strength to follow you to the cross.

Week 7: “I Give Up.. and I Get Up” (Easter)

Lord, you are risen!
Lord, you are here!
We run to you,
we leap and sing,
we jump to our feet
to celebrate your victory!
The promise of Easter is here—
life abundant and eternal
for all your children. 
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed.