Prayers of the Church, 11^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15 – August 16, 2020

Let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence is kept.

Dear Father, we are so slow to see others as your beloved children! Thank you for all the Syrophoenician women, men, and children in our world. Soften our hearts to lead people different from ourselves into Jesus’ presence. Help us to discover that in his embrace, we truly become sisters and brothers to him, and to each other.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fashion your Church into your holy house of prayer upon the earth. By your Holy Spirit, show it how to rightly welcome all people into its midst.  Through your Word and holy Sacraments, draw many close to your beloved Son: to hear, to pray for, and to receive his promised mercy, forgiveness, healing and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

There are many who refuse your mercy, reject your Son, and persecute your servants. Forgive them and soften their hearts. Strengthen Christians who suffer because of Jesus, to speak, act, and pray with humility, boldness, graciousness, and steadfast endurance.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make this congregation a true house of prayer. Fashion us into people of prayer. Transform our ministries into expressions of prayer, offered to you on behalf of the world and our neighbors.  Help us to welcome them with humility and compassion, and make us willing to walk with them along your sometimes-hard road of repentance, forgiveness, obedience and service.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we pray for our elder brothers and sisters in the faith, your people Israel. Grant to the Jews lively faith in you, fervent love for others, and joyful obedience to your holy Law. Let us, together with them, see the consummation of your promised mercy, which was entrusted to Abraham, and was ratified in the death and resurrection of his offspring and yours, Jesus of Nazareth.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive and heal the shameful divisions and warfare that make impossible even the most basic hospitality, justice, or safety for too many of your people. Teach our rulers to seek the health, safety and prospering of everyone entrusted into their care. Increase concord, cooperation, and kindness between those of different backgrounds or beliefs. And teach everyone upon this sad and sin-shadowed earth to look beyond those things which divide, and to cling to your holy and merciful will to heal, redeem and save all who will receive you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, as schools approach opening day in a world clouded by pandemic and upheaval, we pray for students and teachers, parents and aides. Keep them safe, and help them flourish. Bless our seminaries and Christian colleges and schools with faithfulness to Jesus and love of neighbor, of wisdom, and of virtue.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

In healing a Gentile woman’s daughter, Jesus showed that your mercy and salvation are for any who call upon your name. And so, we are bold to pray for all who are distressed by afflictions to body, mind, or spirit – especially: {List}. Be gracious to them, and bless them; and show them the light of your countenance. Draw them, and all who care for them, ever closer to your Son; and bestow upon them the joy of your saving help.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Thank you, dear Father, your fullest healing has been granted to all who died trusting in your promised mercy; and so we commend them into your care – especially those near and dear to us. Keep us united with them by our common faith in your Son. Keep us united with our fellow pilgrims by our Spirit-led love for one another. Grant us, with everyone redeemed by the merits of Jesus, the unmatched joy of life in your house – not as pet dogs under the table; nor as strangers or as guests; but as your children, at home with you forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer, O Father, and grant all that glorifies you and builds up your people. This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 10^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14 – August 9, 2020

Let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence is kept.

Holy Father, we bow in adoration before your majesty. We stand in awe of your wisdom, power, and goodness. And we thank you for your strong saving love, made real for us in your dear Son. Send us your Spirit, so we boldly obey his commands and humbly crave his mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Send your Church into every corner of the world to preach the Gospel of salvation through Christ alone. By your Spirit, give it humility, faith, and courage to proclaim your holy Word with faithful clarity and winsome charity.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give such endurance and faith to all who are persecuted for being Christians, that even their tormentors might repent, call upon your name, and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Protect this congregation from storms of contention, controversy, and confusion. Shelter us in your arms, and help us trust your guidance. Help us to say in word and deed, “I love you, O Lord my strength, O Lord my stronghold, my crag, and my haven. My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge; you are worthy of praise!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for everyone who is overwhelmed by winds and waves of adversity, grief, and suffering. We know they sometimes feel abandoned by others – and even by you. Give us grace to encourage, strengthen, and aid them. Help us to take their hand and walk with them, even across their stormy seas, towards the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, who alone can lift them up and save them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Shield us from natural disasters and manmade catastrophes. Storms, floods, tornadoes, droughts, and earthquakes threaten many lives; and human malice and stupidity destroy many more. Come down, O Lord, on the wings of wind; scatter our enemies and deliver us from our anguish! Speak your word of peace upon the troubled earth and every human heart; and reign undisturbed as King and Lord of all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Clothe with righteousness and wisdom all your servants who risk their lives in defense of life and liberty. Be their stronghold, shield, and refuge. Make them models of justice, integrity, and service.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, many people can say with the Psalmist, “The breakers of death rolled over me, and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.” We lift them before you – especially: {List}. Save them from every affliction that threatens to undo them. Lead them to a place of safety and shelter, healing, and hope. And bless everyone who is entrusted with caring for them in any way.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Thank you, dear Father, for your servants who now rest from their earthly labors – especially those whose death touches us most closely. Give to us, who still sail life’s stormy seas, faith to call upon you in confidence and hope. Give us love to encourage and help our neighbor in distress. And give us hope, that clinging to your Son for dear life, we come safely into your embrace. Grant that we, with all whom you have redeemed, may sing with joy and worship you forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer, O Father, and grant all that glorifies you and builds up your people. This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

“For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 5:4-5).

Even the unbeliever wants more life to live. We long for that which God has placed in our hearts. Lead me, O Lord, in this upper way knowing that in You and only by Your power can I come to the place where You dwell. You have given the pledge that our faith is not in vain. Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that I may walk with You now and forever.

The Lord knows all that is needed and is more than able to make all things work together for good according to His purpose. We are not challenged with understanding all of these things, but with following Him no matter where He leads. Come then into the promise of the Lord and live trusting Him in, through, and above all things. He will accomplish all that He has promised.

Come, Holy Spirit, and place in me the likeness of Christ. Keep my eyes upon You, for You will lead me through each day that comes. Help me to not focus upon this world’s difficulties, but upon the everlasting life for which You are preparing me. Help me to rise above all of those things which pull me down, and help me to be in this world doing what You would have me do. Amen.