Daily Reading for May 10 • Eve of Pentecost
Christ has gathered the church in unity through the Spirit. With sure hope, let us pray:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Maker of all things, in the beginning, you created heaven and earth. In the fullness of time, you restored all things in Christ. Renew our world, in this day, with your grace and mercy.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Life of the world, you breathed life into the flesh you created. Now, by your Spirit, breathe new life into the children of earth. Turn hatred into love, sorrow into joy, and war into peace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lover of concord, you desire the unity of all Christians. Set aflame the whole church with the fire of your Spirit. Unite us to stand in the world as a sign of your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, through your Spirit you supply every human need. Heal the sick, and comfort the distressed. Befriend the friendless, and help the helpless.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Source of peace, your Spirit restores our anxious spirits. In our labor, give us rest; in our temptation, strength; in our sadness, consolation.
Lord, hear our prayer.
After a brief silence, the leader concludes the litany:
God eternal, as you sent upon the disciples the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon your church and open our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love, and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
“A Litany for Pentecost” from the Book of Common Worship (1993), quoted in The Wideness of God’s Mercy: Litanies to Enlarge Our Prayer, revised and updated edition, compiled and adapted by Jeffery Rowthorn with W. Alfred Tisdale. Copyright © 2007. Used by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY. www.churchpublishing.org