The Prayers of the Church

Maundy Thursday, Cycle C (April 18, 2019)

Let us pray to our merciful God on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Holy God, purify your Church. Fill it with your Spirit, so it more perfectly loves you and the people your Son came to redeem.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Strengthen our persecuted sisters and brothers in the faith. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly bear witness to the holiness and love of Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Guide our sister congregations, companion dioceses, and all missionaries of the Gospel. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly proclaim Christ, and him crucified.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless this congregation. Fill us with your Spirit, so we more perfectly reflect the servant-love of Jesus to one another, and to our neighbors.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Kindle the faith of all who will be baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ at Easter. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly follow in his footsteps.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bestow wisdom upon all who have authority and power in our world. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly accomplish your will for the well-being of the people entrusted to their care.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant courage and integrity to our military, to all first responders, and to all who risk their lives for the sake of others. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly establish safety and peace in this troubled world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of for everyone who is sick, grieving, estranged, ashamed, addicted, abused, confused, or despairing, especially those who crave our prayers, including: {List}. Fill them with your Spirit, so they more perfectly cling to Christ, their life, their health, and their salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, this day we share a foretaste of your heavenly feast, prepared for all whom you have redeemed by the passion, death, and resurrection of your well-beloved Son. Fill us with your Spirit, so that we might more perfectly take up our Cross, follow Jesus wherever he leads, and encourage one another along life’s way. Bring us, through the merits of Christ, into your heavenly Kingdom, where with him and the Holy Spirit, you reign in the joyous glory of heaven’s endless day.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 For these things, and for whatever else is needful, dear Father, we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Prayers of the Church, 

Palm/Passion Sunday, Cycle C (April 14, 2019)

For the Church, the world, and our poor sinful selves, let us pray to our Lord, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

A brief silence

 Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem your Church. Through its ministry of Word, Sacrament, fellowship and service, draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

 Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem those who suffer for the sake of your name, and those who risk danger to proclaim the Gospel to those who do not know you. By their faithful witness, draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

 Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem this congregation. Through our faith toward you, and fervent love for one another, draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem our children, especially those who are most vulnerable because of illness, poverty, abuse or violence. Through their innocent praise of your goodness, draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem the people in every land and nation. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, establish your peace in every place; and draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

 Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem all whose work is difficult and dangerous, including those in the military and all first responders. By their labors, establish places of safety and calm; and there draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

  Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, save and redeem all who are afflicted by sin, suffering, and sorrow, especially: {List}. Use the witness of their faithful waiting, and their blessed healing, to draw all people to yourself.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, by your Cross and precious Blood, you have saved and redeemed all who have died trusting your promises. Now keep us steadfast in faith, patient in suffering, generous in service, and loving in fellowship. Through your Cross and innocent suffering for the sake of the world, draw all people to yourself, and bestow upon all the redeemed the fullness of your forgiveness, blessing, and eternal life.

O Christ, thou Lamb of God, hear our prayer.

 Hear us, gracious Father, for the sake of your well-beloved Son, who intercedes for us before your throne of mercy.

Amen.

Editor’s Note: this article first appeared in the March 2019 edition of CORE Voice.

Click here to read the article.

Editor’s Note: this article first appeared in the March 2019 edition of CORE Voice.

Click here to read the article.

“All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I will surely cut
them off. They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me; in the name of the Lord
I will surely cut them off. They surrounded me like bees; they were
extinguished as a fire of thorns; in the name of the Lord I will surely cut
them off.” (Psalm 118:10-12)

Wickedness surrounds us. In
every direction there are those who come against you with their ideas, plots
and plans. Do you fight back with the sword of the Spirit? Turn to the Lord and
know that He who knows all things knows the schemes of the wicked. He has
promised to put His shield of protection upon Your life that you would remain
with Him forever. Trust in the Lord above all circumstances.

Lord, You are good and worthy of all praise. This world is filled with
the wicked and deceitful. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth which You have
established. Help me now and always to see that only in You is there hope and a
future. Keep me from falling into the hands of the wicked. You alone have the
words of eternal life. May I be found in You, O Lord, always.

Holy Spirit, minister to me that
I would see through the wickedness that is upon this age. Help me now and
always to see the truth when wickedness presents itself. Keep me on the narrow
path that I would hold fast to the truth that You are God and all goodness
resides in You. May I be found this day doing what is right in Your sight,
loving my neighbor and loving You. Amen.

“The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I will look with
satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than
to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in
princes.” (Psalm 118:7-9)

There are those who love the
Lord and with this love, love their neighbors. There are also those who only
know hatred and hate those whom they choose not to love. It is the way of this
world filled with wickedness. Do not put your trust in the worldly, but in the
Creator of all worlds. The Lord is the eternal refuge and comforts those who
suffer in this age. Turn to Him in all things.

Lord, I try to figure out this age and its twists and turns. Help me to
see that in You alone is there hope and an eternal future. You alone are the
refuge for those who are weary of this every-changing and yet unchanging age of
sin and rebellion. Turn my heart to You that I would make You my place of rest
and hope. Lead me away from having any false hope in leaders of this age.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, for You
have come to lead the weary into the truth of Your eternal presence. Lead me
according to Your mercy to see more clearly each day the truth of this age. Help
me now and always to live in hope, caring for others as You have cared for me. Guide
me according to the Father’s goodness to live a life of praise and
thanksgiving, preparing to be with You always. Amen.

“Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is
everlasting.” From my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and
set me in a large place. The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do
to me?” (Psalm 118:4-6)

Fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom. It is not to be afraid, but to know that all things are in
His hands and that it will be as He has determined. Live into the will of the
Lord that You may fear nothing this world throws your way. The Lord’s goodness
is from generation to generation and abides forever. Come to the Lord and know
His mercy and goodness.

Lord, each day has its trials and tribulations. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go this day that I would understand more fully Your will for my life. Lead me in fear of You to grow in wisdom, being afraid of nothing in this world, for You are with me. Lead me in the way of everlasting life that I would learn to give You praise and thanksgiving in every circumstance. You alone are God and worthy of all praise.

Holy Spirit, minister to my heart that I would live into the image of Christ my Savior. Guide me throughout the day to look to Your guidance that I would make those choices that are pleasing to the Father. Help me to never fear what this world throws my way, but to be bold, knowing that I am now and always in Your caring hands. May I abound in the grace You grant this day as I walk in the faith You have given me. Amen.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is
everlasting. Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Oh let the
house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Psalm 118:1-3)

The Lord does not do things as
we sinfully want them, but as they need to be. Great love has the Lord such
that He does all that is needed, for He is good and His love is forever. Do not
look to the Lord as One to dispense according to Your desires, but as the
Sovereign who grants according to His perfect will. The Lord is perfect and
good and worthy of all honor and praise.

Lord, teach me to see through the selfishness of my desires to know that
You are always good and that Your will is perfect in love. Lead me through the
circumstances of this age that I would forever hold fast to Your goodness and
mercy. You alone know all that needs to be done to create in eternity the
perfection of heaven. Lead me in faith to trust in Your perfect will.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us
that equality with God is something that can never be grasped. Teach me to
trust in Your leading that I would now and always live into the Father’s will. You
have come that we might learn from You how to live life fully. Teach me, O Lord,
and I will follow where You lead. Guide me today in those lessons I need to
learn as I grow in Your likeness. Amen.

“Praise the Lord, all nations; laud Him, all peoples! For His lovingkindness
is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 117:1-2)

Every nation is blessed by the
Lord. All that is needed has been provided. Yet there are those who take from
those who need. This is the way of this world. But you! What shall you do? Will
you live a life that praises the Lord in all circumstances, or will you curse
Him because of Your circumstances? Learn to praise the Lord no matter the
circumstances, for He is good above all things.

Lord, teach me to understand the circumstances of life. Lead me in the
way You would have me go that I may walk the path You set before me. Help me
through all the difficulties this world will throw my way. Guide me along right
paths for Your sake. In all things, give me eyes to see the goodness that comes
each day knowing that You provide for us all. You are good, Lord, and worthy of
all praise.

Come, Holy Spirit, and guide my heart. Where it is unthankful and
cursing, rebuke it. Where it is weak, strengthen it. Where it mumbles and
grumbles, fill it with songs of praise. In all things, lead me, Holy Spirit, to
see the goodness and mercy which has always been mine because of the amazing
grace of Christ, my Savior. Through whatever may come this day, teach me lift
up my voice in praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

“I shall pay my vows to the Lord, oh may it be in the presence of all
His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O
Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 116:18-19)

We are each called to live the
life that we have been given. The ultimate purpose is to live in the love
relationship that the Lord established by grace. Many are called, but few are
they who enter into the relationship. Come into the life to which You have been
called and learn to praise the Lord in every circumstance. He alone is worthy
of all praise and honor. To Him alone be the glory.

Lord, You know the frailty of my heart. I am one who says one thing and
does another. Help me, O Lord, to overcome the difficulties of this world that
in all circumstances I would praise You. Cause me to dwell in Your peace no
matter the warfare around me. Bring me up to be with You that in this day and
every day I may be thankful for all Your benefits, praising You above all
things.

Lord Jesus, You knew and know
that we need saving. You have paved the way that as many as come in faith and
believe, You grant the power to become children of God. Lead me, O Lord, in the
way of truth that I would follow You and come into Your presence eternally. Lift
my thinking and acting up that I would learn to behave as a child of the Father
in all things. Amen.