Prayers of the Church, Feast of the Holy Cross (Transferred) – September 13, 2020

 

Let us approach the throne of grace on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

 

A brief silence is kept.

 

When we survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died, our richest gains we count as loss, and pour contempt on all our pride. Forbid it, Lord, that we should boast, save in the death of Christ our God. All the vain things that charm us most, we sacrifice them to his blood.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Father, conform your Church to the Cross of your Son, lifted up for the sake of the world. Through its preaching, teaching, and acts of charity, draw all people to him.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform your persecuted people into the Cross of your Son, a stumbling block to your enemies, but healing and comfort to all who repent of their evil ways.

 

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform the people of this congregation into the Cross of your Son, so that all we do and say leads people to him.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform all seminarians, theologians, missionaries and ministers to the Cross of your Son. Grant that they preach Christ alone, and him crucified and risen, for the forgiveness of sin unto life everlasting.

 

Conform all Christian hospitals and hospices, social and relief agencies, chaplaincies, and other ministries of charity and healing, to the Cross of your Son. May all whom they serve look to him for the fulness of healing and abundance of life.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform our earthly leaders – in government, industry, research, education, public health and safety, and the military – to the Cross of your Son. Teach them to prefer nothing above accomplishing your will for the good of the people entrusted to their care.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform everyone seeking to be Jesus’ disciples to the Cross of your Son. Help them to rightly and wisely share your Son’s costly grace, even with people who are obnoxious, obstinate, or oblivious.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit to the Cross of your Son. Especially we plead on behalf of: {List}. Heal all their infirmities; and crown them with your mercy and loving-kindness.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Most holy Father, you show goodness and mercy toward those who die trusting in you. Thank you for redeeming their lives by the Holy Cross of Jesus. Lead us with his life-giving Cross; take away our sin; and teach us to forgive one another. Grant that whether we live or die, we know that we are yours. Raise us to that perfect and glorious life which you bestow upon all whom you have redeemed.

 

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Conform our prayers to the heart of Jesus, hear them through the interceding of your Holy Spirit, and grant them in accordance with your gracious will. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 15^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19 – September 13, 2020

Let us approach the throne of grace on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

 

We are your debtors in so many ways, heavenly Father! We sometimes forget how even our trifling sins can, if unrepented and unforgiven, run up a soul-crushing “tab.” Thank you for being so willing to cancel our debt. Keep us ever mindful of the costly generosity of your beloved Son. Give us his grace and strength, to willingly forgive the debts of those who have wronged us.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Teach your Church how to be a school for forgiveness and an outpost of your “Mercy Hospital.” Give it leaders who explain and practice forgiving. Make its worship an encounter with your forgiveness. Equip its members to pray for and share the forgiveness you give through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

How difficult it must be for your people to forgive when they are being tortured simply for believing in Jesus, who prayed for his enemies even from the Cross! Give them a double portion of his Spirit, so that they may bless and not curse; forgive and not revile. Let persecutors repent from their evil and ask forgiveness from those they have wronged.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Make the people of this congregation rich in mercy, abounding in kindness, tireless in good works, and joyful in praising you, the source of all mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless our schools, colleges, seminaries, and home schools as they embark on a strange and difficult journey this fall. We don’t know how COVID will affect students, teachers, and families. We do know that children need to be in school, but we want them to be safe. Guide and protect us all, and help us to make prudent decisions, even though sometimes we will make mistakes.

We pray for all who are crushed beneath a load of debt. They can do foolish or dangerous things to seek relief. Help them to ask for help, forgiveness, and a wise solution. Help those to whom they are indebted to move beyond anger and self-interest, into the uncharted yet blessed waters of mercy. Remind them how indebted they are to you, for you forgive their debts of sin.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be merciful to this poor broken world. Help our leaders to rule with justice tempered with mercy and compassion. Bestow on all of us a spirit of patience, forbearance, humility, and kindness. Teach us to outdo one another in showing mercy and righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for everyone seeking to be Jesus’ disciples, especially as he teaches them the hard path of forgiveness and self-sacrifice. Fill them with your Spirit. Help them to rightly and wisely share your Son’s costly grace, even with people who are obnoxious, obstinate, or oblivious.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Renew the life and health of all who are afflicted in any way by the powers of sin, evil, sickness, or death. Especially we plead on behalf of: {List}. Heal all their infirmities, dear Lord; and crown them with your mercy and loving-kindness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, you show goodness and mercy toward those who die trusting in you. Thank you for redeeming their lives from the grave. Make your ways known also to us; renew our strength; and take away our sin. Lead us in the pathways of your loving-kindness, and teach us to forgive rather than to pass judgment upon one another. Grant that whether we live or die, we know that we are yours. Raise us to that perfect and glorious life which you bestow upon all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform our prayers to the heart of Jesus, hear them through the interceding of your Holy Spirit, and grant them in accordance with your gracious will. Amen.

“His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.  I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 7:15-16).

Do you know the working of the LORD in your life?  Can you look back and see where He is making you into the image of Christ?  Do you spend time learning and understanding His Word?  These are legitimate questions, for they speak of what the Lord does in those who fear Him.  He will conform you to the image of Christ.  Cooperate and be conformed to the One who saves you.

Lord, I often think of faith as a bunch of do’s and don’t’s.  Help me see that what You have given me is a new life.  A new life that is evermore becoming like Christ.  Lead me along this upward call that I would day by day be conformed to Christ’s image and day by day become what You have always intended.  You know what I need, for You must save, so help me not hinder myself in this journey.

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and the model to which I will be conformed.  Lord, let nothing get in the way of You doing all that needs to be done, least of all, me.  Guide me today according to Your goodness that I would be a little more conformed to what You are creating in me.  Help me have the right attitude and priorities and be guided by Your Spirit that I would learn how to be faithful.  Amen.