35A*
A Call to Worship
Easter 5A 2011
Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16

Holy God, you are our Rock and our Fortress - in you we trust.
We gather to worship you, seeking your strength and your mercy.

Shine the Light of your favour upon us O God - in you we trust.
We gather to worship you, seeking the light of your love and peace.

Faithful God, your unfailing love is our blessing - in you we trust.
We gather to worship you. Our future rests in your hands as we
are held securely within the power of your strong yet tender grasp. Amen.

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Prayers of Petition
Easter 5A 2011
Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16

Trustworthy God, we come to worship you today within the
gathered community of faith, seeking your gracious help.
We call on you, trusting that you are near enough to each
of us to hear our prayers, and that you will answer them
according to your mercy and grace. Be for us all, a steady
Rock upon whom we can depend; and a strong impregnable
Fortress to protect us from all that would harm or destroy us.

Bend down to hear us Loving Lord, as we are trusting in the
honour and glory of your Holy Name. Stretch out your saving
hand towards us, so that we can hold on to you securely and
with confidence. The power, strength and protection of your
mighty hand is something upon which we depend, and we
ask that you allow us to gain strength and courage from you.

Shine the radiant light of your love upon us so that we can see
the way ahead, and may your light and truth be our guide as,
holding on to your hand securely, we step into the future with
you, leaving behind all that threatens to destroy or weaken us.
Into your hands we commit all that we are, and all that we have
to give to you, asking that you will accept what we offer you as a
sacrament of praise and thankfulness, and that together in faith
and trust, we may live to honour and serve you always and forever. Amen.

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A Personal Meditation
Easter 5A 2011
Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16

Loving God, you have promised to hear your faithful people
when they call upon you, and I am hoping and trusting that I
fit into that category! Centuries of experiences have shown
that it is true to God’s own nature to respond to people who are
afflicted or distressed, and who call on their God for mercy and
blessing. As I struggle, hear my cries for support and strength.



Responsive God, your hand has guided your people through
the ages, and I look now for that guidance on a personal level.
Your strong hand has grasped hold of your people in the past,
to lead them through wilderness experiences into the security
of a safe haven, and I ask now, that you also do that for me now.
Turn these difficult times of fear and uncertainty into the trusting
confidence in you that I once knew, and guide me through this
wilderness experience. Turn this tough time into an experience
where trust and confidence in God once again becomes my focus.



Radiant God, your light of love beams down upon me; all humanity;
and your glorious creation, bringing health and wholeness through
your life-giving light and presence. The signs of your loving presence
surround me and give me confidence and hope in your willingness
to continue to be my Guide and Strength through all the trials of life.
My future rests in your hands, and I am content that is it so – always.

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Acknowledgements:
Unless stated otherwise, all Bible readings and extracts used in these weekly Prayers and Meditations are from
‘The New Revised Standard Version’ Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

*The additional weekly numbering is from the Revised COCU Indexing Scheme
COCU = ('Consultation on Church Union'); as it offers an easy sequential numbering
for the Revised Common Lectionary for the Church Calendar.

If any part of these Prayers and/or Meditations is used in shared worship, please provide
the following acknowledgement:
© 2011 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year A. Used with permission.

jstott@netspace.net.au

Download/view a pdf file of this document here: easter5a_2011.pdf

© 2011 Joan Stott - " The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A