A responsive reading based on Solomon's Prayer of Dedication the Temple

For those of you who joined for services February 1st, here is the responsive reading used during worship.  It was written by long-time Ridger, Karen Harrison, based on Solomon's Prayer of Dedication the Temple.

A responsive reading based on Solomon's Prayer of Dedication the Temple

LEADER: O LORD, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below.  The heavens, even the highest heaven cannot contain you.  How much less can this church we have built contain you!  We know you do not dwell in one particular place.  Yet, God, we know you hear our pleas in this house of worship.  You hear the prayers that we, your servants are praying. You hear the requests, the confessions, the cries of your people when they pray in this place.  Hear us from your heavenly throne, LORD and enable us to feel your presence among us and know you are answering. 

When we come to this place, hear our praises which we raise up to you, LORD― you who are all-wise, all-knowing, all-loving, and ever present.

ALL:  We praise you, O LORD.

LEADER: When we come to this place having wronged a friend, a loved one, a stranger, any of your children, and confess to you, LORD, forgive us.

ALL: We confess our shortcomings, O LORD.

LEADER: When we come to this place filled with pride or greed or jealousy and turn to you with all our heart and soul and repent of our sins, LORD, comfort us in your forgiving arms.

ALL: Forgive us, O LORD.

LEADER: When we come to this place unsure of how best to serve you, LORD, help us to find direction and answers.

ALL: Guide us, O LORD.

LEADER: When we come to this place, having strayed from the path that you have set before us, LORD, help us find our way back to you.

ALL: Set us on the straight path, O LORD.

LEADER: When we come to this place having encountered the difficulties and hardships of life and we cry out to you, LORD, hear our cries and grant us the courage to overcome.

ALL: Grant us courage, O LORD.

LEADER: When we come to this place, teach us the right way to live and empower us to follow your teachings.

ALL: Teach us your ways, O LORD.

LEADER: When non-believers come to this place, LORD, show yourself to them through us, so that all people here may know you as their LORD and Savior.

ALL: Help us to be your witnesses, O LORD.

LEADER: We praise you, O LORD.  Thank you for always being with us in this place and never forsaking us.  Be not only in this place, LORD, but transform us into living temples where you will dwell in our hearts when we leave here. We offer these prayers in the name of the New Covenant, your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen