PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Cycle C: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Proper 1, January 20, 2019
Let us draw near to the Throne of Grace, offering prayer and supplication on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Holy God, thank you for loving your people so passionately that the best human analogy is that of a wedding, and of the love between a bride and bridegroom. Forgive us when our brokenness and wrongheadedness prevent us from rightly hearing these words! Thank you for the healing and forgiveness – even of our bodies and relationships – that you bestow in Jesus. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who constantly forms us, body and soul, into his image and his bride.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Adorn your Church with faithful teaching and preaching; with deeds of mercy, reconciliation, and generosity; and with worship that befits the adoration and delight of a bride for her beloved. Overshadow your persecuted servants with your Holy Spirit, so that they may bless the Name of Jesus their Lord, and so that their tormentors turn away from cursing his Name.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give the wedding-presents of joy and faithfulness, forbearance and forgiveness to all married couples. Bring healing to homes fractured by sin and suffering. Gather those who are single – by choice or circumstance – into your loving embrace. Form us all into your big, boisterous, and blessed family.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, for many of our congregations “we are family” is very literally true! Bind us together with the cords of your love, and not merely our kinship ties and traditions. Make this congregation a place where many are adopted into your family, and where the bounties of your blessings are freely and lovingly shared with all whom we invite to join us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let your steadfast love and righteousness dwell in the hearts of our elected and appointed leaders; in the minds of all who take counsel for the nations; and in the actions of everyone in positions of authority in our society. Give us grace to share the gifts and skills you have so generously bestowed – especially with the poor and lonely, the suffering and the sorrowing.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We plead on behalf of everyone who struggles with pain, grief, addiction, fear, remorse, doubt, and despair. We lift before you this day the needs of: {List.} Give them the hope and courage they need to cling to you in times of trouble. And give to those who care for them a double portion of your compassionate and loving Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Thank you, heavenly Father, for all our beloved dead who clung faithfully to your promise of salvation. Dry our tears and ease our sorrow. Give us grace to live in faith toward you, and with fervent love for one another. Then, by your great mercy, gather us, with all whom your dear Son is pleased to call his bride and his beloved, at the table of that marriage feast which has no end.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Graciously hear, and generously answer our prayers, most holy Father, in accordance with your wisdom and mercy for us, and in the name of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
