THE PRAYERS,
19th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24, Cycle C (October 20, 2019)
Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Heavenly Father, sometimes our ears itch because we desire plausible, convenient untruths. Sometimes we wrestle with your holy Word and come away hobbling and sore. Oh, Father, sometimes it’s hard to love, trust, and obey you! Thank you for constantly hearing our prayers. Thank you for touching us with healing and blessing, not just rebuke and warning. Thank you for uniting us with Jesus, who is Truth and Blessing, Word and Love incarnate.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant such faithfulness to your Church throughout the world that it may always confess and preach that all Scripture is inspired, useful for teaching and reproof. Fill it with your Holy Spirit, so that it may penetrate itching ears with the pure doctrine of Christ, crucified and raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sin unto life everlasting.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Keep everyone in this congregation in your merciful care. Conform our hearts to your will. Help us to pray with bold faith and persistent hope. In all things, grant that we glorify you, bear witness to your holy and gracious Word for their lives; and live lives worthy of our high calling as your children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Do not slumber or sleep, O Lord, while your suffering Church prays to you for help. Hear their cries and come to their aid. Soften the hearts of their unjust judges and persecutors to repent of their evil and do what is right in your sight. Grant faith, courage, persistence, and compassion to all who preach the Gospel to those who have not heard the name of Christ aright.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless this war-torn world with your peace. Give it wise leaders who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight. Look with kindness upon the humble and destitute, the widow and orphan; and all to whom justice has been denied. Keep us mindful of their cries; and move us to act with compassion and with tangible help, so that together we may enjoy the gifts you have bestowed on all your people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for lawyers, judges, magistrates, and for all who make or interpret laws and administer justice in this country and throughout the world. Give them uprightness of heart, and a passion for truth. Make them wise, fair, and impartial in their decisions; and through their work, grant that a measure of your own holy and gracious will may be accomplished in our midst.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear the cries of all who are afflicted, dear Lord, especially those we name before you – including: {List}. Bring them safely through their travails; reunite them with all who love them; and give them an unconquerable faith in your gracious care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We thank you, merciful Father, for our loved ones who have died and are asleep in your arms. Until we are reunited with them and with all whom you have redeemed, keep us steadfast in faith, persistent in prayer, and attentive to your true and holy Word. Grant that we may enter into your presence in the company of all the saints, and forever worship, praise, bless and adore you for the love you have shown us through Christ Jesus our Savior.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
