Prayers of the Church, 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10 – July 12, 2020
Let us lift our hearts, hands, and voices in prayer to God on behalf of all people.
A brief silence is kept.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the simple images of seeds and soil. Thank you for using what we’re familiar with to point us to deeper truths. Thank you that we don’t need a Ph.D., a corner office, or a million Twitter followers to bear rich fruit, to your glory and for the nourishment of people famished for your healing and life-giving love.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Fill the Church with the Holy Spirit. Make it beautiful with holiness and rich with wisdom. Let your Word take root in it and accomplish that which you purpose. Draw all flesh into its courts; hear their prayers; forgive their sins; and accomplish their salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Grant patience, courage, and gentleness to everyone who is persecuted on account of Jesus; and do not let their witness to you return to you empty. Uproot the stones and weeds from the hearts of their tormentors, so that they may bear the fruits of repentance and be saved.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Deal mercifully with this congregation. Make our words, deliberations, and ministries faithful and fruitful. Uproot the deep-rooted weeds and remove the stubborn stones of sin from the fields of our lives. Break down the hard-trodden paths of worldly customs. Make your Word grow so richly that many hearts may be nourished through our presence in your world.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We praise you for favorable weather and fruitful earth; for the fields and orchards, flocks and herds, streams and seas which nourish us all. Bless farmers and ranchers, fishers and shepherds, gardeners and all whose knowledge and effort helps to protect, preserve, and wisely use the gifts of creation. Help us to be generous stewards of your bounty, sharing with all who are in need.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We pray for this nation, beset by troubles and strife, yet still our beloved country. Reform its laws, purify its speech, instruct its leaders, and soften every heart to see one another as your beloved children, created in your image and redeemed at great cost by your dear Son.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You intend for us to live in joy and peace; yet in this sin-darkened world, violence, injustice, and evil threaten so many. We pray for those tasked with defending life and liberty. Conform their actions to your will, so all may enjoy the fruits of safety, concord, freedom, and justice.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Bring healing and hope to everyone who is afflicted by sorrow, suffering and sin – especially {List}. Lead them out of their darkness into the brightness of your saving love. Grant peace to their hearts and joy to their loved ones, that together they may praise your awesome deeds of salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Thank you, dear Father, for all who have died trusting in you. Lead and guide us, who still walk a road that is stony and desolate, overgrown with the thorns of sin and briers of violence. Refresh us in this wilderness. Give us nourishment for our bodies, hope for our hearts, and your Spirit to abide with us along life’s way. Crown our years with blessing. By the merits of your dear Son, gather us safely to yourself, where with all whom you have redeemed, we may sing with joy forever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Receive and graciously answer our prayer, heavenly Father, for the sake of your dear Son; and by the power of your Holy Spirit, give us the strength and will to accomplish whatever you call us to do. Amen.
