Prayers of the Church, 2^nd Sunday in Lent (March 8, 2020)

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.

A brief silence

Dearest heavenly Father, we know the “Gospel in miniature” by heart. Thank you for its truth. You so loved the world! You gave your only Son! We may have everlasting life, not death! We praise and adore you for your love. By your Spirit, let every thought, word, and action reflect that love – to you, and to people who don’t yet know your love or believe your Word.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let the wind of your Spirit blow through your Church. Use it impart your divine life and holy love to all who will receive them. Grant new and heavenly life to congregations wounded and dying from the assaults of the world, the devil, and their own sinful selves. Make them into “wounded healers,” able to draw broken and sinful people to Jesus, their Life and true Love.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Keep watch over our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world when they cry to you for help. Preserve them from every evil; and grant repentance, forgiveness, and new life to their tormentors.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel, needed the challenge, wisdom, and words of life that only Jesus could give. Grant that all who seek to be pastors, teachers, and theologians in your Church should constantly sit at Jesus’ feet. There, let them drink in his love, wisdom, and Spirit, so they can be truth-filled teachers and trustworthy guides to everyone in their care.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fill this congregation with the Holy Spirit, so that day by day, our hearts, minds, words and ministries are reborn as instruments of your will. Use us to bring your redeeming love to those who need it most.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be gracious to travelers, immigrants, refugees, and all who have left their homes by choice or necessity. Give them safety and refreshment, hopefulness and faith upon their way. Set before their eyes the example of Abram and Sarai, so that their journey is sheltered by your watchful presence and finds its end in your loving embrace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give teachable minds and humble hearts to the leaders of nations, especially our own. Help them prefer integrity and wisdom to the allure of power or popularity. Make them watchful and protective toward those entrusted to their care. Guide them in paths of justice and righteousness, so that they may also guide their citizens in those paths.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be the guard, guide and shield of those in our military, and to first responders. Do not let their foot be moved; deliver them from evil; and use their labors to bring safety and aid. Restore them to their loved ones when their task is done. Grant honor to the fallen, healing to the wounded; and peace to all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Watch over everyone who endures pain, sorrow, fear, doubt, loneliness or despair, especially: {List}. Be that blessed shade and shelter from all that afflicts them; give hope to their hearts, health to their bodies, calm confidence to their minds; and unshakable faith to their souls.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for fulfilling your promise of eternal life to all who have died trusting in you. Keep us steadfast in the faith you granted to Abraham and Sarah; to Paul and all the apostles, martyrs and saints of your Church; and to all of your redeemed people from every time and place, every kindred, tribe and nation. Guide us through this “barren land;” feed us with the Bread of Heaven; be our strength and shield; and bring us safely through the Jordan into your blessed presence, where we may forever sing your praises and delight in your love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 1^st Sunday in Lent (March 1, 2020)

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.

A brief silence

Father, thank you for Jesus. He didn’t rely on more-than-human powers as he fasted in the wilderness. He didn’t face Satan clothed only in the power of divinity. He was tempted just as we are when we’re at our weakest! Thank you that he stands with us, and for us, and dwells in us, through the worst temptations and struggles we face.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, forgive your Church when it falls into lukewarm worship, wayward teaching, fractured fellowship, stingy charity, and halfhearted witness. Forgive it when it condemns certain sinners, but re-brands its favorite sins as virtue. Help it to stand firm in your Holy Word when it is tempted by these sins of faithlessness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive our persecuted brethren throughout the world when their anguish curdles into bitterness, retribution, or loss of faith. Strengthen and heal them, so by their witness, you lead their tormentors to repentance and true faith.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive missionaries and all who seek to be your disciples when their passion for the Gospel cools, or when they become impatient or distracted. Kindle the fire of your most Holy Spirit within them, so that they glorify you in all they say and do.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive this congregation when we focus on the speck in another’s eye, ignoring the log in our own. Forgive us when we seek our own will, not yours. Forgive us when we boast of ourselves, not the Cross of Christ. Fashion us into the image of Jesus, so others, seeing our good works, glorify you alone.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, have mercy on us when we are tempted to sin. Warn and rebuke us, so we resist and repent. Guide us, so we feed on your Word and commit ourselves into your care. Humble us, so we rely only our Savior, who was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive the nations and leaders of the world, especially our own. Forgive the arrogance and ambition that drive decisions. Forgive the cruelty, suspicion and hatred that fuel wars. Forgive the apathy and prejudice that fuel neglect and injustice. Create new hearts within us; and grant us that peace which only you can give.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive those in our military, and all first responders when their hearts become hardened by vengeance or hatred. Heal, guide and strengthen them to act in accordance with your will.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, have mercy on all who are sick, injured, or handicapped; addicted, abused, or abandoned; despairing, frightened, or ashamed; frightened, grieving or dying. Especially we pray for: {List}. Deliver them from the powers of sin, death and the devil. Restore them to health, hope, and fellowship with all who love them. Renew their faith in you, their Savior and Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Father, thank you for showing mercy to all who have died trusting in your promises. Keep us steadfast in faith. Forgive us when we succumb to temptations. When the long Lent of this life is complete and the hour of death draws near, let the Cross of Christ sustain us in faith and hope. By his glorious Resurrection, raises us from our tombs. Through the Holy Spirit, breathe your life and love into us forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020)

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer on behalf of all his people.

A brief silence

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. As you are holy, make us pure and holy. As you are mighty, give us strength to turn from sin to live for you alone. As you are immortal, by the death and resurrection of our Savior Christ, lead us out of death to life.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon your church. Purge it of all faithlessness, false teaching, uncharitable words, and unholy actions. Fill it with your Holy Spirit, and use it to grant the joy of your saving help to all repentant sinners.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon all who are persecuted on account of your beloved Son. Keep them steadfast in faith, patient in suffering, persistent in prayer, and gracious in forgiving their enemies. Soften the hearts of all who despise Christ, and grant them repentance and true faith.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on our seminary and church college professors, on Christian school and preschool teachers and aides, and upon everyone seeking to be a disciple of Jesus and to join him in mission, whether abroad or in their everyday lives. Give wisdom to their minds, eloquence to their tongues, and deep love to their souls, for you and for all they serve.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on this congregation. Cleanse it from everything that obscures your strong saving love for us, and for those to whom we minister. Grant that we may prefer nothing whatsoever to Jesus Christ, and to sharing his forgiveness and salvation with others.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon all converts, all who are preparing for baptism at Easter, and for all whose faith wavers and dims because of doubts or despair.  Give them a double portion of your Spirit, and bring them into your loving embrace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon the nations of the world and their rulers. Especially we pray for our own elected and appointed leaders. Lead them in the paths of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Help us all to work with one another according to your will. Never let us forget the needs of the poor, the widow, and the orphan; the dispossessed and unemployed; the sick and forgotten; the abused and the unjustly imprisoned. Give us the means and the will to ease their burden.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on all who stand in harm’s way in defense of life and liberty. Strengthen them in every virtue that increases concord, establishes safety, and protects innocent lives. Reunite them with loved ones; and help them use their skills to serve their community in new ways.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Have mercy on all who suffer in body, mind, heart or soul – especially those who crave our prayers, including: {List}. Refresh their spirits, renew their hope, and restore their joy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, keep in your special care our beloved dead. Wipe away the tears of those whose grief runs deep. Help us to help and encourage one another throughout this troubled life. Keep us steadfast in faith, constant in hope, and ardent in love. Lead us from death into the life and love you have prepared for all whom you have redeemed through the passion of your Son, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a
way, as not beating the air;  but I
discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to
others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27).

We are saved by grace apart from
works of the law.  But the justification
is a preparation that we might then journey on the narrow road toward becoming
like Christ.  Some think it is technical,
but this life is one of growing and learning. 
Be prepared to continue the upward journey of the call of Christ that
you may live purposefully and prepare to be with the Lord forever.

Lord, I live in a world that spoon-feeds.  Help me to see that I do have my part to play
in sanctification.  Help me to be one who
is willing to prepare and be diligent in the things You give me to do.  Guide me according to Your purposes that I
may spend my lifetime fighting the good fight, learning as You give me things
to learn, and living into the image of Christ. 
Help me to never stop this upward call.

Lord Jesus, You know the
difficulty of this life.  You know the
obstacles that are in the way.  Help me
to keep on with all that I am able to do knowing that You are always growing in
me Your image.  You are giving me the
opportunity to become more like You every day. 
Help me to not slack off, backslide, or give up; but to do my part that
I may grow stronger in the faith You give each day. Amen.