Summer Chapel

July 23rd

Order of Worship

Welcome to Summer Chapel – a guided experience to help you practice the presence of God through silence, reflection, and prayer.

Please begin with the Personal Prayer. We will spend about 5-8 minutes in silence with this practice and then I will move us along to what’s next.

PERSONAL PRAYER

Settle into your time with God with repeating a simple prayer like “I am here, Lord.” Or “Come, Spirit of God.” Let your body rest. Call to mind anything this morning that is causing you anxiety. One by one, picture yourself giving those worries and concerns to Jesus. Know that he cares about you. I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

When you have finished “casting your cares” read the words of Jesus in John 14:27:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Imagine him saying this to you in light of all you just gave to him. Let his words sink deeply into your heart and mind. Jesus is present with you, he is aware, and he is working.

WELCOME and OPENING PRAYER

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

Corporate Intercession

Intention – A simple way to corporately pray for those on our hearts.
Father, together we name our loved ones before you and each other and ask for your mercy.
One Person: [First name]  ALL: Lord, have mercy
Repeat until no more names are offered.
ALL: Father, may your Kingdom come and your will be done in their life. AMEN

SCRIPTURE READING – Isaiah 61:1-8 – A vision of hope for us and our loved ones

Holding Space Prayer

Intention – to hold a person in the presence of Jesus without an agenda.

1. Ask God’s Spirit to bring to mind which person you are to pray for next.
2. Picture the person in a place of peace.
3. Invite Jesus into that space. Thank him for his perfect love and care.
4. Be a prayerful observer as you continue to hold your loved one in Jesus’ presence.
   1. Pray that God’s purposes and desires for the person are fulfilled.
   2. Imagine his grace being sufficient for every concern.
   3. Pay attention to any pictures, feelings, thoughts or impressions you may receive.
   4. Release the person into the fullness of Jesus’ care. You can say, “I release ____ in your care. I leave the outcome in your loving hands.”

Group Sharing

PRAYER OF RELINQUISHMENT – Oswald Liturgy – As we pray each statement, we will pause, pay attention to what it surfaces in our hearts and then I will lead us in the response, “I place in your hands.”

This day is Your gift to me; I take it, Lord, from Your hand and thank You for the wonder of it.

ALL: All the I am, Lord,                           I place in your hands.
ALL: All the I do, Lord,                            I place in your hands.
ALL: Everything I work for                    I place in your hands.
ALL: Everything I hope for                     I place in your hands.
ALL: The troubles that weary me        I place in your hands.
ALL: The thoughts that disturb me    I place in your hands.
ALL: Each that I pray for                         I place in your hands.
ALL: Each that I care for                         I place in your hands.
ALL: AMEN

CLOSING BLESSING – When you no longer know how to be, may the Father take you on your deeper journey. When you no longer know what to do, may the Spirit reveal to you your fitting task. When all feels lost or foreign, may you know your home in Christ. AMEN.