Prayers of the Church, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost – June 21, 2020 (Fathers’ Day)
Let us pray for the Church, the world, and for one another.
A brief silence is kept.
Thank you, dear Father, for Jesus, whom we may trust, body and soul, even when he brings not peace but a sword. Thank you for the severe mercy of death and resurrection, Law and Gospel, repentance and forgiveness. Thank you for entrusting your Kingdom and your living Word to us, even though we often feel unequal to that trust!
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You established your Church as a school for mission to the world. Rekindle that missionary zeal in the hearts of all pastors, theologians, and leaders in the Church. Help them form all Christians into eager witnesses to the love of Jesus. Free the Church from worldly preoccupations, and free it to announce and share the glorious inheritance which belongs to all whom Christ has redeemed.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Strengthen the hearts and the faith of everyone who is persecuted for naming Jesus as Lord. Keep them from repaying evil with evil, but instead, by their gentleness, patience, and steadfastness, turn the hearts of their tormentors to repentant faith in you.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Fashion this congregation into a missionary outpost; a school for discipleship; a hotbed of generous service; and a temple resounding with your praise. Teach us simple ways of sharing your love with everyone we meet; and give us the strength and will to do them.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Because Jesus called you Abba, Father, we, too, may call you Father. Be the model for every father, and all who act with a father’s care. Give them strength with gentleness, firmness with patience, authority with self-sacrificing love. Help us to honor and thank them, even though they are not perfect. Be the sure protector of all who do not have a loving father in their lives.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Fill the leaders of nations, and everyone in positions of authority, with righteousness, wisdom, and integrity. Help us to live, insofar as it’s up to us, at peace with our neighbors, even when we’re annoyed with them. Help us to care for the poor, hungry, homeless and abused, even when we’re stressed out and stretched thin. And help us to forgive each other, even when that seems hard.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Deliver from evil all who risk their lives in defense of life and liberty. Guide them in pathways of integrity, valor, and justice. Heal them when they fall in the accomplishment of their duties, and restore them in honor to their families and communities.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Bring health and gladness to all whose lives are shadowed by pain, suffering or sorrow – especially: {List}. Be their light and life, their guide and joy. Raise them up from the dark valleys in which they wander. Give compassion, gentleness, and patience to all who care for them. Shelter them always with your love.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Father, we entrust our beloved dead into your care. Hold them in the palm of your hand. Keep us firm in faith and constant in affection. Deliver us from temptation, sin, and suffering. Command your holy angels to shield us from the Evil One’s flaming darts. By the Cross of your beloved Son, lead us safely into your presence. There, with all whom you have redeemed and raised up, grant that we may delight in praising your goodness and mercy forever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
All this we ask, dear Father, in the power of your Spirit. Receive our prayers and grant all that is in accordance with your will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
