Being human can be terrible and it can be beautiful. After all, we pray for help when life is terrible and we pray for joy when life is beautiful, right? This evening we will talk about prayer, and some of the ways this beautiful practice can be playful, creative, and more than you think.
You can join us for worship in our beautiful sanctuary, or right here online. Worship is live-streamed; videos are available here or on Youtube following the service. You are always welcome!
Being Human Toolbox 1: Prayerful/Playful Practices
Matthew 6:1-21
Union Presbyterian Church
March 12, 2025
Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube
Prelude
“Blessed Assurance,” John Carter
©2010, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Opening Sentences
Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,
And the day is almost over.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world,
a light no darkness can overcome.
From the fullness of Jesus Christ,
We have all received, grace upon grace.
Hymn # 475 W & R
“Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ,” Frank von Christierson
©1974, The Hymn Society, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Eternal Spirit of the living Christ,
I know not how to ask or what to say;
I only know my need, as deep as life,
And only you can teach me how to pray.
Come, pray in me the prayer I need this day;
Help me to see your purpose and your will,
Where I have failed, what I have done amiss;
Held in forgiving love, let me be still.
Come with the vision and the strength I need
To serve my God, and all humanity;
Fulfillment of my life in love outpoured–
My life in you, O Christ, your love in me.
Scripture Reading Matthew 6:5-15 (NRSVUE)
Concerning Prayer
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Response We live, not by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from God.
Thanks be to God!
Meditation Being Human Toolbox 1: Prayerful/Playful Practices
Prayers of the People Holden Evening Prayer P. 8
Prayers of the People
“Holden Evening Prayer: Litany and Prayers,” Marty Haugen
©2016, GIA Publications, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Response: God of mercy, hold us in love.
Final response:
One: Help us, comfort us, all of our days:
All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.
The Lord’s Prayer Holden Evening Prayer P. 9
Hymn #367 W & R
“Now Let Us Learn of Christ”
©1980, The Jubilate Group, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Now let us learn of Christ:
He speaks, and we shall find
He lightens our dark mind,
So let us learn of Christ.
Now let us love in Christ
As he has first loved us;
As he endured the cross,
So let us love in Christ.
Now let us grow in Christ
And look to things above,
And speak the truth in love;
So let us grow in Christ.
Now let us stand in Christ
In every trial we meet,
In all his strength complete;
So let us stand in Christ.
Benediction Holden Evening Prayer P. 9
“Holden Evening Prayer: Final Blessing,” Marty Haugen
©2016, GIA Publications, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
One: Let us bless our God:
All: Praise and thanks to you.
One: ... be our guide and path for all of our days.
All: Amen.
Postlude
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying,” John Carter
©2010, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.
License #A-728112. All rights reserved.
Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.
“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal
“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal
Some Words About Lent
Welcome to Lent, the season focused on Jesus’ journey to the cross and resurrection. Almost since the church was birthed, people have set this season aside as a time to prepare for the great mystery of Easter, as well as a time to deepen our faith using certain practices. The gospels tell us that Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days, and this formed the bases of practice in the early church. By the fourth century there was a strong practice of fasting, associated with prayer and with giving food and alms to the poor and hungry. It was also the time when newcomers to the faith prayed and prepared themselves for baptism. Welcome. Breathe deeply. God is love, and our journey this season will be a re-discovery of that love.