Prayers of the Church, 18th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 22 – October 4, 2020
In the power of the Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the world, the Church, and one another.
A brief silence is kept.
Most holy Father, thank you for making us your beloved vineyard. Thank you for grafting us into your pleasant planting, your people Israel; and for uniting us with your true and precious Vine, your dear Son Jesus. Make us abound in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, to your glory and for the nourishment of a world starved for your love.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Uproot from your Church all malice, strife, false teaching, and unrighteousness. Defend it from those who would destroy it from within, or ravage it from without. Make Jesus, the strong Son of Man who sits at your right hand, its life and salvation. By Word and Sacrament, draw all people to the foot of the Cross; there to glorify your most holy Name.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give persecuted Christians the righteousness that depends on faith, so they may know Jesus and the power of his resurrection; may share his sufferings; and through him may attain the resurrection from the dead. Turn the hearts of their enemies toward you in repentance and humble faith.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Thank you for making this congregation your own, through Jesus Christ. Help us to count everything else – even the many gifts with which you have blessed us – as rubbish compared with the surpassing worth of knowing him as our Lord and Savior. Make us true disciples, sharing Jesus’ love with everyone whom we meet, and encouraging them to accompany us as we follow in the way of the Cross.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We pray for all those who toil at “dirty jobs” that are unpleasant, dangerous, and poorly paid. Help us to honor their labor and to ease their burden. Give them a glimpse of the surpassing loveliness of your dear Son. By your Spirit, shape their faithful work into “something beautiful for Jesus.”
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Raise up for yourself pastors, evangelists, missionaries, theologians, and other servants of your Word. Prosper the work of seminaries and church schools. The world hungers for the fruit of your living Vine, dear Lord; equip your servants to nurture and share it with starving souls.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give everyone entrusted with worldly power and authority a hunger for justice and a thirst for righteousness. Make them swift to build bridges of respect and concord, and slow to brandish weapons of war. Fill them with wisdom, patience, fairness, and kindness. Spread these virtues among all people, so that bloodshed and injustice cease, and all people live in peace and call upon your name with joy.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Restore the lives of all who cry out to you in their distress of body, mind, and spirit, especially: {List}. Shine the light of your countenance upon them, that they may be saved.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
With gratitude and affection, we entrust our faithful departed into your care. Comfort all whose grief runs deep. Help and guide us, so that we may help one another through the sorrows and dangers of this life. Unite us with your dear Son, so that with all whom you have redeemed by his Cross and Resurrection, we may be welcomed into your pleasant planting, your beloved vineyard; and may rejoice in your presence forever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
For Jesus’ sake, grant the fulfillment of all we ask that conforms to your holy will. Amen.
