Prayers of the Church, 11th 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.
