Prayers for Worship
Proper 15
by Ron Gordon

John 6: 51-58

Collect:
 

Our Father in heaven, you give us the true bread of heaven in Jesus 
to bring us to eternal life. Grant that we may be so nourished in him 
as to know him as part of our thinking, acting and sharing with others. 
We ask in his name. Amen.

Prayer:
 

Eternal God, we worship you as the one who gave Jesus to be your personal representative 
in this world, to speak your Word; he lived before men and women your all embracing love 
in sharing with us and in dying for all. We acknowledge all he has given us: 
in his life and death on the cross, and his rising again, he has opened fellowship 
with you and one another.

We confess, Father, that we have not paid full attention to the offer of life in Jesus, 
which for us was bought with a price: Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, true Word from the Father, we hail you as the true bread of life given 
for the nourishment of the world. You offered yourself to your people 
who did not accept or understand your free offer, but sought other explanations 
for the symbols you used.  

We confess, Lord, that we have sought nourishment on bread that does not satisfy 
and have wasted our resources on that which is not food. 
Help us focus again on you as true nourishment to eternal life: 
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, the inspirer and enlightener of God’s people, we confess 
that the words and deeds of Jesus have been forgotten or ignored and our world 
is full of hungry people who lack their daily bread and the message of Christ. 
We have failed to express solidarity with them and have failed to aid them. 
Inspire us again with Christ’s vision of grace abounding for all, 
that our lives and resources may be shared, in his name: Lord, have mercy.

Blessed and glorious God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be enthroned again 
on the praise of your people, and in our daily living as your loving children 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

© 2009 Ron Gordon (used with permission)

this thin communion
by Jenn Gordon
 
John 6:51-61

here I stand, bread in hand
as if I had never been here before
as if I had never been fed before
as if I had always been dead before

and the glorious rose window
throws a light all consummate
nothing is, before or after
what I hear is heaven’s laughter

how can I take and taste you
and not give myself completely
longing to run for cover
like a frightened first-time lover

in this abiding feast I find
my life and lose it all at once
here I stand
bread in hand

bound in
this thin
communion

(Comments to Jenn at jennieg@labyrinth.net.au.)