Community Prayer

I found this beautiful prayer at www.mustardseedjourney.wordpress.com
I was following a thread regarding the "new monasticism" that began with an e-newsletter I get from "RestoringEden.org" a Christian Creation Care ministry...

Anyway, with recent posts about the Kingdom of God being planted "in" the world, Church of the Apostles' beautiful commitment to "Caring for Creation", and our recent growing recognition of / desire for / need of a band of disciples to join with to live out our discipleship (eg. just to be able to make positive steps in living out the Sermon on the Mount)... I thought the following prayer was great. I commend for at least a season of use in your small group...


Community liturgy
(http://www.boiler-rooms.com/cm/rhythm/81)

God we pray for our community,
Our cymbrogi, our ‘companions of the heart’.
We ask you to be the centre of who we are
Be the God who guides our steps
May we be a Christ-like community,
Humble, loving and available to your leading.

Lord, we pray for [name of your community].
We pray that you would build us as you built the early church.
After Pentecost, the church of Christ formed.
They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles.
Lord, anchor us to your word. May we hear your voice.

They ate together, sharing life and rejoicing at what God was doing in their midst.
Lord, fill us with joy. May we see your glory.

All the believers lived in wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
Lord, give us your generosity. May we share our lives

They followed the daily discipline of worship in the Temple.
Lord, teach us to worship. May we walk humbly with you.

People liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were being saved.
Lord, help us to be a light to others. May we see salvation in our midst.

(Dedication prayer)
Lord Jesus Christ,
Holy Spirit, our life-giver,
God our loving Father,
Three-in-one Savior, God in relationship.
Would you bless and keep us as a community.
Help us, guide us, lead us Lord.
Amen.