THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Let us lift our hearts, hands, and voices to the Father of light, beseeching him through his Son Jesus to have mercy upon his Church, his world, and his people.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, you called Samuel to be your prophet; and your Son called Philip and Nathaniel to be his disciples. Fill the Church with your Holy Spirit, so that it may always hear and heed Jesus’ call to follow him. Give it bishops, pastors, theologians and leaders who are faithful to your Word; and by the lives of all its people, draw many to trust in Him who is the salvation of the whole world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Search the hearts and minds of your persecuted servants. Purify and perfect them; lead them in your everlasting way. And by their faithful witness, turn the hearts of their tormentor to repentant faith in you. We also ask your blessing upon our sister congregations and companion synods, and upon all missionaries of your Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Bless, we pray, this congregation as we seek to do your will. Keep us steadfast in faith; conform us ever more closely to Christ our Lord; and through our words and deeds, bring the Gospel to those who need to hear it most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember with gratitude the life, words, and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you for raising him up as your servant. Help us to honor him, and to glorify you, by finding good and gracious ways to extend the blessings of liberty, justice, and equality to all people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You know the inmost thoughts of all; none can flee your presence. Shine the light of your wisdom into the hearts of earthly leaders; teach them your ways; take all wickedness from their hearts; and use them to establish your goodly will among your people. Help each of us to live in peace with our neighbors, striving always to outdo one another in showing honor, kindness and deeds of justice and mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give strength, wisdom and integrity to all whose work is difficult and dangerous, especially first responders and those in the military. Use them to accomplish your will in places of danger and chaos. Gather to yourself those who have given their life in the line of duty. Grant healing to the wounded; patience and hope to their families; and a swift and joyous homecoming to all whose work is not yet done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Send the power of your Holy Spirit into the hearts of all who suffer, especially {List}. Fill them with health and hope; bless all who minister to them; and let the radiance of your Son’s love gladden their hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most merciful Father, we thank you for the lives of your faithful servants who have heeded your voice in this life and who now rest in your arms. Grant that we, too, may heed your gracious invitation, given through your dear Son. Make us into living temples of your Spirit.  In your good time, gather us into your presence with Samuel and all the faithful people of Israel; with Nathaniel and Philip and all the apostles, martyrs, theologians and saints of your Church. Grant that, with them, we may rejoice forever in the salvation you have accomplished for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You may download these prayers along with hymn suggestions here: Epiphany 2, 01-14-18

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

With joy and gratitude for the gift of Christ the Savior, let us draw near to our heavenly Father in prayer, asking his mercy for the Church, the world, and all who need his loving-kindness.

A brief silence

Most holy God, let your voice fill the Church with your glory. Let your strong Word be faithfully proclaimed in that Church, so that it brings the promise of salvation to those who do not know him. Let it ever rejoice when many become heirs of his promise and members of his Body.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide, guard and bless your persecuted servants throughout the world. Let your Word be found upon their lips and in their hearts. By their faithful witness, lead even their enemies to the light of your salvation. We also ask your blessing upon our sister congregations and companion synods, and upon all missionaries of your Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Let your Word thunder in this congregation, until everyone who worships here cries “Glory” and proclaims your holy Name in word and deed. Conform our lives to the image of your dear Son; and let the light of his holy and forgiving love shine brightly in all we say and do.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your living Word fill the lives of the newly baptized; of all who this day profess their faith in your most blessed Name; and of all who waver at the very edge of repentance and belief in your strong saving love for them. Keep them in your care; and help each of us to be good examples and mentors in their journey of discipleship.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your Word shape the minds, hearts and wills of all who take counsel for the nations. Fill each person throughout this sin-shrouded world with your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of you, and joy in your presence. Banish from our midst those things which lead to hatred, strife and suffering; and speak your Word of peace to us all.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your strong Word be the shield, light and safety of all who risk their lives for the sake of others. Give them such integrity and strength of character that the innocent and defenseless may always look to them for help; and when their work is done, bring them home in safety to their loved ones.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your living Word bring health, wholeness and hope to all who suffer, especially: {LIST}. Bless all who minister to them; and let the radiance of your Son’s love gladden their hearts.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you, heavenly Father, for your powerful voice that splits open the tombs of your children, and calls them out of death into eternal life. We ask your word of comfort and strength for all who grieve; and for your protection and guidance for each of us, until we join those who continually cry “Glory” in your blessed presence, and dwell with you in the splendor of eternal light and life that you share with your Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers and petitions, dear Father, as may be best for us and to your greater glory, thorough your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

These Prayers of the Church along with hymn suggestions by Rev. Cathy Ammlung may be downloaded from here:

Baptism of Our Lord, 01-07-18

Saturday, December 16, 2017 Devotion

‘How long will you assail a man, that you may murder him, all of you, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?  They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; they delight in falsehood; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse.”  (Psalm 62:3-4)

Be not like the ones who outwardly show a seeming conformity to the ways of God, but inwardly are as far away from Him as the ones who outwardly deny the Lord.  Do not be led by the way of man, for it goes nowhere, but be led by the truth of the Lord, for He is truth.  In Him is life, for He is the creator of life.  Seek His counsel and learn the ways of the Lord that you may live now and forever.

Lord, there is so much falsehood all around.  The world offers so many options, but they lead nowhere.  Guide me in Your Spirit to see the truth You are and have revealed for those who seek after You.  Let me inwardly praise You and seek to live my life according to Your eternal principles.  Help me, O Lord, to live the way You would have me live now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save all those who through You, turning to You and following You, seek the true life.  You are life.  You are the way and apart from You no one can go where You lead.  Help me now and always to see this simple truth and from the inside out be conformed to what You have established through faith.  Guide me today, Lord Jesus, and help me go where You would have me go.  Amen.