Prayers of the Church, Christ the King Sunday – November 22, 2020
Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence is kept.
Holy Father, we praise and adore you for your Son, Christ Jesus, our Beautiful Savior, the King of Creation. We thank you for his holy life, his innocent suffering and death in our place, and his glorious resurrection that bestows life, forgiveness, health, and salvation on us. Though we are your poor unworthy servants, you have made us the sisters and brothers of your beloved Son and heirs of your Kingdom. Blessing and honor, praise and adoration be yours, Holy Father, for the sake of your Son, in the power of your Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made your Son King of creation and head of your holy Church. Bind that Church to Christ with cords of love; make it unswerving in faith and bold in witness to him, especially where it endures persecution for his sake; and use it to draw all people to his Cross, there to acclaim him as Lord, King, and Savior.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made your persecuted Church a visible sign of the suffering of Christ himself. Grant that all who are afflicted for his sake may also, like the sun, moon, and stars, bear witness to the beauty of his holiness and the glory of his love.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made your Son our Savior and Lord. Fill the people of this congregation with your Holy Spirit, so that in all we say and do, among all people we encounter, we acclaim Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of man.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made this land rich with resources, and resplendent with the virtues of freedom, justice, opportunity, and honesty. Grant that all who live here may be responsible stewards of those resources; tireless examples of those virtues; and thankful sharers of every blessing with which you have graced us.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made your Son Lord of the nations. By your Holy Spirit, conform the hearts of rulers and people to the heart of Christ; and let his peace reign undisturbed in every land.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made your Son our light, joy, and crown. Grant that his strong saving love might accompany those who serve our country, here and abroad. Fill them with honor, courage, and wisdom; and bring them home in safety.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
You have made your Son fairer than sunlight, stars, meadows, or woodlands. Let his beauty, healing, and compassion cause all sorrowing hearts to sing, especially: {List}. Deliver them from their afflictions, and restore them to the fellowship of all who care for them.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, you have made your Son to shine more brightly than all of heaven’s angels. We thank you for the lives of the faithful departed, who already see his glory face to face. Fill us with such faith and love that, in your good time, we shall join them in singing, “Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be thine.”
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Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
