An Order for Midday Praise & Prayer (Sext)

AN ORDER FOR MIDDAY PRAISE AND PRAYER

This service is for use by groups in the middle of the day, possibly before a noon meal or following a morning meeting.

The congregation may be invited to stand for the entire service. The service is most effective when sunlight is visible.

CALL TO PRAISE AND PRAYER *

Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. (ISAIAH 40:30–31)

HYMN *

A hymn for the midday may be sung. Suggested from UMH:

62	All Creatures of Our God and King	102	Now Thank We All Our God
154	All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name	119	O God in Heaven
155	All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name	480	O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
451	Be Thou My Vision	454	Open My Eyes, That I May See
527	Do, Lord, Remember Me	96	Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above
404	Every Time I Feel the Spirit	492	Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire
465	Holy Spirit, Truth Divine	116	The God of Abraham Praise
397	I Need Thee Every Hour	601	Thy Word Is a Lamp
521	I Want Jesus to Walk with Me	67	We, Thy People, Praise Thee
494	Kum Ba Yah	526	What a Friend We Have in Jesus
402	Lord, I Want to Be a Christian

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING*

A brief ex tempore prayer or collect may be offered. See The Book of Common Prayer (The Episcopal Church, 1979) p. 107 for several examples.

SONG OF PRAISE *

A scripture song or hymn may be sung. Suggested from UMH:

834	Psalm 113	847	Psalm 126
844	Psalm 121	74	Canticle of Thanksgiving
845	Psalm 122	91	Canticle of Praise to God
846	Psalm 124

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE *

The following or other of litany of intercession (see another litany) may be prayed, during which any person may offer a brief prayer of intercession or petition.
After each prayer, the leader may conclude: Lord, in your mercy, and all may respond: Hear our prayer.

Or the leader may intone: Let Us Pray to the Lord (UMH 485), and all respond singing: Lord, have mercy.

Together, let us pray
for the people of this congregation…
for those who suffer and those in trouble…
for the concerns of this local community…
for the world, its peoples, and its leaders…
for the Church universal—its leaders, its members, and its mission…
in communion with the saints….

Following these prayers, all may sing a response. Suggested from UMH:

490	Hear Us, O God	491	Remember Me
488	Jesus, Remember Me	487	This Is Our Prayer
485	Let Us Pray to the Lord

See also from The United Methodist Book of Worship:

God Hears Our Every Need (Hymn 183)	Tino tenda Jesu (Hymn 203)
Jesus, We Are Here (Hymn 187)	Señor Apiádate de Nostros (Hymn 188)
Teach Me to Hear in Silence (Hymn 194)	O Lamb of God (Hymn 201)

THE LORD’S PRAYER * Sung or spoken. See UMH 270–71, 894–96.

BLESSING *

The God of peace be with us.
Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

THE PEACE * Signs of peace may be exchanged.

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