O eternal God, the Father of spirits and the lover of souls, who didst send thy Holy Spirit upon thy Church on the day of Pentecost, and hast promised that he shall abide with it forever: Let that same Spirit lead us into all truth, defend us from all sin, enrich us with his gifts, refresh us with his comfort, rule our hearts in all things, and lead us in the way everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

Gracious Lord, heavenly Father, on this day the minds of men are turned in memory to those who have laid down their lives in defense of our country. We indeed owe a debt of gratitude to them who gave their all that we as a nation may continue our way of life. Grant that we worthily carry on where they have left off that our country may enjoy for generations to come peace and liberty and freedom. May we honor them by bringing the tribute of a ready heart, an obedient life, a worthy citizenship, to our country. Guide the counsels of government. Strengthen the bonds of true loyalty. Let the ideals of liberty and peace prevail. Above all, grant that we, Thy children by faith in Christ, find a field of service in which we, as salt and leaven, uphold righteousness, order, and peace. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen.

Taken from The Lutheran Book of Prayer, 1951

O God, who through the resurrection of Jesus Christ hast freed us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of thy love: Grant, we beseech thee that, as by his death he has recalled us into life, so by his abiding presence he may bring us to the joys eternal; through him who for our sakes died and rose again, and is ever with us in power, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


 Taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

O God of my exodus,
Great was the joy of Israel’s sons 
      when Egypt died upon the shore,
Far greater the joy
     when the redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.
Jesus strides forth as the victor,
    conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might;
He bursts the bands of death, 
      tramples the powers of darkness down, 
     and lives for ever.
He, my gracious surety, 
      apprehended for payment of my debt, 
      comes forth from the prison house of the grave 
      free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death. 
Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted, 
     that the claims of justice are satisfied, 
     that the devil’s sceptre is shivered,     
that his wrongful throne is levelled.
Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in him I rose,
     in his life I live, in his victor I triumph,
     in his ascension I shall be glorified.
Adorable redeemer,
     thou who wast lifted up upon a cross
     art ascended to highest heaven.
Thou, who as man of sorrows wast crowned with thorns, 
      art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.
Once, no shame more deep than thine,
     no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.
Now, no exaltation more high, 
      no life more glorious, no advocate more effective. 
Thou art in the triumph car leading captive thine enemies behind thee.
What more could be done than thou has done!
     Thy death is my life, thy resurrection my peace,
     thy ascension my hope, thy prayers my comfort.

 A prayer from The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett

O God our Father, as we begin this day, bestow upon our household that grace which shall keep us in the fellowship of the Christian way, and grant unto each one of us that guidance and control which shall maintain our hearts in peace with one another and with thee. Help and prosper us in the doing of our various duties; and defend us from inward evil and from outward harm so that when the day is ended it may leave us not in sorrow, strife, or shame, but in true unity and thankful rest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 taken from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

Lord, even when you created for us a Garden… we chose to be disobedient and eat the forbidden fruit. Still today, Lord, we have been your disobedient children and chosen to travel on paths you have warned us are not your ways. Forgive us, Lord, and as we open our hearts before you, show us anew the ways you would have us go. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

by James R. Wilson

O Lord, our heavenly Father, we offer and present unto thee ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. Take us as we are and make us more fit for thy service. Use us for thyself and for the edification of thy Church. We are not our own, but thine, bought with a price; therefore claim us as thy right, keep us as thy charge, and use us as thou wilt, to the glory of thy holy name and the good of our fellow men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965 

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, truly lamenting our sin and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965

from Ken Boa

Father, You have loved me and called me to be Your loyal follower, and to find my true pleasure in Your revealed will. You have given all humanity great personal worth and have called us to a high and holy life of other-centered love. As I pursue You, may I also pursue the best interests of the people You have sovereignly placed in my life, so that I will be an agent of reconciliation and of Your grace. You are the eternal wellspring of wisdom, and I want to drink from the water of Your Word and be satisfied. Keep me from being a stumbling block to others and empower me to treat people according to their true dignity in Your image rather than according to the world’s distorted view of status and worth. Let my love and service of others be an expression of my love and service to You.

O Lord, who has brought us through the darkness of night to the light of morning, and who, by thy Holy Spirit, dost illumine the darkness of ignorance and sin: We beseech thee of thy loving-kindness to pour thy holy light into our souls, that we may be ever devoted to thee, by whose wisdom we were created, by whose mercy we were redeemed, and by whose providence we are governed; to the honor and glory of thy great name. Amen.

from The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965