THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH,
5th Sunday in Lent, Cycle B (March 21, 2021)
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (God promises to put his law in his peoples’ hearts)
Psalm 119:9-16 (I will delight in your statutes and meditate on your Word)
ELW: Psalm 11:9-16 or Psalm 51:1-12, (Have mercy on me; create in me a clean heart)
Hebrews 5:1-10 (Jesus, as High Priest knows our weakness; he learned obedience through suffering and became the salvation of all who obey him)
Mark 10:32-45 (Passion prediction; “can you drink from my cup?”; those who wish to be greatest must become least; Son of man came not to be served but to serve, give his life as ransom for many)
ELW: John 12:20-33 (We wish to see Jesus; My hour has come; when I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself)
THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Let us humbly beseech God for his mercy upon the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Father, give us a new heart. Take away our heart of stone. Give us the only heart that can beat in us forever – the heart of your dear Son Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put a new and right heart within your Church. Make it cling in perfect faith to Jesus, and do your will. Cleanse it from wrongful teaching and shameful deeds. By the power of your Holy Spirit, make it shine with your Son’s forgiveness, compassion and mercy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put a new and faithful heart in your people when they are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Give them the joy of knowing that they indeed drink with Jesus from his cup.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Put a new and joyful heart within this congregation. By the power of your Holy Spirit, unite us to Jesus’ death and rising. Cause us to bear much fruit in his name. And use us to draw others to his cross.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put a new and patient heart within all who care for family members with special needs. Give them compassion, strength, and the joy of knowing that what they do for their loved one, they do for you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put a new and wise heart within our earthly leaders, so they do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before you. Give to all of us a desire to help our neighbors, especially those who are struggling in these difficult times. Teach us to live together in peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put a new and steadfast heart into all who serve our country, here and abroad. Give them courage, wisdom, and competence in all they do. Strengthen and shield their loved ones. Bring them home in safety when their work is done.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put a new and trustful heart into all who cry to you for help; especially: {List}. Give them the joy of your saving help; and give to all who care for them the comfort and guidance of your Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear Father, we commend into your care all our beloved dead. Put a new and faith-filled heart into each of us, who still walk the troubled pathways of this life. Give us grace to firmly believe that, as we have been buried with Christ, we shall also be raised with him. Bring us, with all whom you have redeemed, into the joy of your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For these things, and for whatever else is needful, dear Father, we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
