A prayer preparing for worship

James Cathcart January 29, 2023 1 1

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Psalm 122: 1-2 (NRSVA)

1 I was glad when they said to me,
    ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
2 Our feet are standing
    within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Have you ever locked yourself out? Or lost your house keys? I remember an occasion as a child when my dad had to lower the most adventurous of my sisters through a high bathroom window headfirst (I believe she did a handstand on the toilet) so that she could go unlock the front door for the rest of us.

I remember that occasion with laughter, but generally being locked out is no fun.

Sadly these days some people feel ‘locked out’ of church, as if it is not their home. “They don’t want me.” “I don’t belong there.” “It’s not for me.”

Sometimes too we can lock ourselves out of worship, perhaps showing up, saying the words, but unable to access the sense of joy and confidence expressed by today’s Psalm.

And so let us begin our month of daily prayers by seeking that confidence as we step over the threshold.

PRAYER:

‘Let us go’ you said, and we come.

We come with our gladness and our pain, our joy and our struggle

We come as we are.

As we arrive at this time, space or place of worship,

unlock any barriers, internal or external that prevent us from knowing we belong.

Help us to turn the key

and as we enter

fill our senses with the sweet smell of home.

Let us go to the house of the Lord.

Amen