The Prayers of the Church
The Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 2, 2019 (or Ascension, Transferred)
Let us pray to our risen Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
O Lord Jesus, glorious, risen, and ascended Savior of the world! We worship and adore you. We kneel in humble adoration before your majesty. Yet you take us by the hand and invite us to your marriage supper – and make us your Bride and your Body. You pray for us, and promise us your own glorious inheritance. You commission us to proclaim the good news of your strong saving love to the whole world. You give us your own work of forgiving sins. What else can we do but say, Amen, come, Lord Jesus?!
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Unite all who confess your Name into your Body as your one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church upon the earth. Fill it with your Spirit, and make it a faithful witness to your death and resurrection. Grant that the Church may always proclaim the gospel of repentance and forgiveness to the whole world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bestow upon your persecuted Church the fullness of their glorious inheritance, won for them and for all who believe by the merits of your own suffering, death, and resurrection. By their faithful witness, cause those who hate them – and you – to repent, that they may receive forgiveness and newness of life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless the people and guide the ministries of this congregation, so that in all things, your name is glorified and your will is done. Unite us ever more closely with you and with one another; and use our words and actions to draw others into the joy of the life you share with your Father and with your people, in the bond of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Be the Way, the Truth, and the Life for all graduates. Give them joy in using what they have learned. Keep them steadfast in their love of truth, justice, and self-giving service. Make them eager to grow in faith toward you and in fervent love for others.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Be the shield and defender of all who risk their lives in service of country and in defense of innocent lives. Guide their decisions and actions; heal their wounds of body, mind and soul; comfort and strengthen their loved ones; and bring us all into that glorious day when war will be no more.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As you prayed for your followers, so we pray for the world, its rulers and its people; and most especially for our country and its leaders. Bestow peace and unity wherever suspicion and violence cause distress. Turn the hearts of many to seek and work for those things that please your heavenly Father, and that bring health, hope and justice to all: especially the poor, victims of violence, and the world’s children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We plead on behalf of all who endure the anguish of pain, grief, abandonment, shame, despair, or any other evil that afflict their bodies, minds, or hearts. Especially we lift before you the needs of: {List}. Grant to them the strong assurance of your presence, so that they firmly believe and deeply feel that they dwell in you, and you in them; and bring them to fullness of life, hope, and joy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, you have ascended to the right hand of your Father, and you promise your life in Him to all whom you have saved. Therefore we confidently entrust into your care our beloved dead. Wipe away the tears of all whose grief runs deep. Dwell with us and in us. Draw us ever closer to one another even as you lead us to your Father’s embrace. Send us your Holy Spirit, to prepare us to share with joy in your wedding-supper. Hasten the day when we celebrate that eternal feast with all the people whom you have redeemed and united to yourself and to your Father forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
