Pastoral Prayer for Pentecost

Here’s a pastoral prayer for Pentecost Sunday from Mary Anne Isaak at the River East Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Pastoral Prayer for Pentecost

Holy Spirit, Creator,  

in the beginning you moved over the waters.

From your breath all creation drew life.

Without you, life turns to dust. 

       Bring to mind where you have created life this week.

       For this we give you praise.  Come, Holy Spirit!

Holy Spirit, Counselor,

by your inspiration, the prophets spoke and acted in faith.
You clothed them in power to be bearers of your Word.

In the quiet of this moment, counsel us

as to where we have lived out of our brokenness

and caused harm to You, to ourselves, to others, to the earth. 

Holy Spirit, hear our prayers of quiet repentance.

Holy Spirit, Sanctifier, you created us children of God;

you make us the living temple of your presence;
you intercede within us with sighs too deep for words.

We receive your forgiveness.

Bring to mind ways to seek reconciliation

in relationships that are strained or broken.

Give us the strength and courage to follow through.
Come, Holy Spirit!

Holy Spirit, Power, you came as fire to Jesus' disciples;
   you gave them voice before the rulers of this world.

   Bring to mind the name of one person

   to whom you are sending us this week

   that we may share the words and action that come from your fire

   and witness to the reality of Jesus Christ.  Come, Holy Spirit!

God of power,
   may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
   may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
   and may the gifts of your Spirit equip us
   to serve and worship you now and always. Amen.

~ written by Pastor Mary Anne Isaak, River East Mennonite Brethren Church, for Pentecost Sunday, 2014.  Inspired by a prayer on the Oremus.org website. http://oremus.org/