Prayers of the Church, 12^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16 – August 23, 2020

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

A brief silence is kept.

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for Peter! Thank you that he was so very human, and yet you graced him with faith to confess Jesus as your Son and Messiah. As you used him, we ask that you would also use us, to do your work of forgiving, confessing, and proclaiming Jesus as Lord to a disbelieving world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Establish the Church upon the solid rock of Christ, and on the faithful witness of your apostles. Make the Church truly the one body of Christ upon this earth; and do not let the gates of hell prevail against its faithful proclamation and teaching. By your Holy Spirit, make it wise, gracious and steadfast in your command to rightly forgive and retain sin; and use it to bring many to a saving faith in Jesus their Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Keep safe your servants who are persecuted for naming Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Visit them with your righteousness and draw near with your salvation. Grant that our words and deeds may never hinder or tarnish their witness. We also pray for missionaries, seminarians, and theologians entrusted with rightly proclaiming your word.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform the people and programs of this congregation to your good, acceptable, and perfect will. Help us to not think too highly of ourselves, but with sober judgment to use our talents according to the grace you have given each of us. Build up the body of your beloved Son among us through sound preaching, faithful teaching, generous giving, cheerful service, and loving kindness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless all those who have instructed and shaped our faith – parents, grandparents, pastors, Sunday School teachers, and all those whose love for Jesus shines brightly through their lives and their example. Thank you for the saints whose confession of Jesus as Lord has been a blessing to others, and has formed the unseen foundation of our own faith. Use us to encourage, instruct and guide others in lives of discipleship and service, to your glory and for the building up of your people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Teach the world’s rulers listen to you, the giver of justice and the author of salvation. Conform their decisions and deeds to your righteous will, so that they care for the lowly and give hope to all who cry out to you. Heal the divisions that fracture families, communities, and nations; and help us to live at peace with our neighbors.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless all who risk their lives to protect, defend and rescue others. Give them the gifts of valor, loyalty, wisdom, and competence; and help them to use those gifts according to your will and for the benefit of your people. Heal their wounds of body and mind; reunite them swiftly with their loved ones; and crown their labors with the blessing of your peace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously answer the prayers of everyone who calls upon you for help, including: {List}. Keep them safe in the midst of all that troubles them; increase their strength within them; and let them lift up their eyes and see the light of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most gracious Father, we praise and glorify you because your love endures forever. In your great mercy, draw near and make good your purpose for us. Keep us steadfast in faith, bold in witness, generous in sharing, cheerful in helping, gentle in exhorting, frequent in forgiving, and constant in thankfulness to you, our rock, and our salvation. Lead us into presence of Christ our Lord. Give to us, and to all whom he has redeemed, eternal joy and gladness; thanksgiving and the voice of song.

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.

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Are you able to see the reality of grace? All of these things are from God. It is the Lord who is doing this and not counting against us our iniquities. Yes, work as if it depended upon you, but never forget it is the Lord who has made possible our reconciliation with Him. He who knew no sin became our sin that we who cannot know perfection might become perfect through Him.

Lord, these things often confuse me, for I live in an age that is always bargaining and seeking an upper hand. With You, it is all or nothing and You offer this with Your own life. Lead me into heavenly thinking that I may see things through Your eyes. Guide me to know that in You alone is all hope, for only through You can anyone become what You have created them to be.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world that we might have eternal life. But this is not a then and there proposition, but something that begins here and now. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may be guided by Your example, goodness, and above all, Your grace. Through You Lord, there is nothing but hope and a future. Lead me into the future You have placed before me. Amen.