Let us pray (in silence) [that what is good within us may flourish]
Pause
God of power and might, [or Faithful God]
source of all good,
graft in our hearts the love of your name,
and bind us more closely to you
so that you nourish the goodness you sow in us
and, by your watchful care,
you tend and guard the good you have nourished;
through Jesus Christ
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The above ancient prayer is used by Roman Catholics and Episcopalians/Anglicans and others. It has a long, shared history which you can find here with commentary and reflection: Ordinary 22. The above is my rendering in my Book of Prayers in Common.
My Introduction to the lectionary readings
textweek resources
Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary readings
Preaching Resources from Down Under
image source: Carrying the cross of Christ (Gabriel Loire)
“Although the figure carrying the cross represents Simon of Cyrene, the power of the image reminds us of Christ’s admonition to take up the cross and follow him. Photo by Lawrence OP.”
