Prayers of the Church, 5^th Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 8 (June 27, 2021)

 

 

Lamentations 3:22-33 (God’s steadfast love & compassion never cease)

 

Psalm 30 (I cried to you for help; you healed me; what profit if I go into the Pit?)

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15 (Be generous in giving to needs of the saints)

               

RCL/ELW: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Omits example of Macedonians)

 

Mark 5:21-43 (A girl restored to life; a woman with flow of blood healed)

 

 

 

 

 

THE PRAYERS 

 

Let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Dear Father, thank you for the compassion and healing you give us in Jesus! Thank you for your grace, mercy, and steadfast love! Give us the wit and wisdom to share these wonderful gifts with others, especially those who need them the most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have compassion on your Church. Heal it from false teaching, unkind acts, and unfaithful witness. Raise it up from sloth and sin. Provide for its needs so it may generously share your grace with others. Make it lovely in righteousness, to draw many people to the Beautiful Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Incline your ear to your persecuted Church, so that they may never despair of your goodness but rather give thanks to you forever for your great mercy. Shield and defend your missionaries, especially when they are met with hostility and rejection.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Fill the people of this congregation with gentleness, generosity, and compassion. Help us reflect Jesus’ goodness to everyone we meet. Let our church becomes a haven of grace to everyone.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

At last, it’s summer! At last, we’re less afraid to travel and enjoy your beautiful world in the company of those we love. Thank you, Lord! Keep us safe, make us joyful, and grant us peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

There is so much hatred, violence, injustice, and selfishness in our world, dear Lord. Heal the fever of unrighteous lust for power and retribution. Bestow wisdom, prudence, and goodness on all earthly rulers, especially in our own land. Inflame them only with the earnest desire to love justice, seek mercy, and walk humbly before you, their Lord and King.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Clothe all who wear the sackcloth of suffering with the clean linen of your salvation and joy. We lift before you the needs of: {List}. Give them such confidence in you that they constantly turn to you for help. Grant to all who love and care for them, such tenderness and skill that suffering and loneliness are eased, and hope and faith are strengthened among us all.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There is no profit if we go down to the pit; nor shall dust praise your faithfulness. So we praise you for your Son’s triumph over sin and death. We bless you for the eternal life you bestow for his sake. Give us the full measure of your Spirit. Help us to trust you when we are surrounded by our ancient enemies. Equip us to encourage one another along our common pilgrimage. Make us cling to Jesus until he unbars the gates of your Kingdom, and you welcome us home.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.

 

Prayers of the Church, 4th Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 7, Father’s Day (June 20, 2021)

 

 

Job 38:1-11 (God answers Job from whirlwind)

 

Psalm 124 (If the Lord had not been our own side, the flood would have taken us)

RCL/ELW: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 (God delivered those in peril on sea; praise him!)

 

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (Now is the acceptable time: accept God’s grace! Paul’s suffering)

 

Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus stills the storm)

 

 

 

 

THE PRAYERS 

 

Let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

O Eternal Father, you are indeed strong to save! Give us faith to cling to your dear Son in every danger that threatens to undo us. We bless and adore you for your strong, saving love!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Still the storms of division, heresy, and ambition among your people. Make your Church an ark of safety against floodwaters of sin and suffering. Make it a rock against which faithless words and evil deeds are dashed. Let many find a refuge there, and turn to you, and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Like Job, your persecuted servants long to know their suffering has meaning, their faithfulness is precious, and their Redeemer lives. Deliver them from evil. Reveal your mighty arm and never-failing love. And cause their tormentors to repent and believe in you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Speak your word of peace among the people of this congregation. Keep us steadfast in faith, fervent in worship, and persistent in prayer. Make us tireless in loving service to all are overwhelmed by waves of suffering, sorrow, or shame.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

In you, all good and faithful fatherhood finds its source, guide, and fulfillment. Bless all fathers, and all who act with a father’s love. Fill them with your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in your presence. Grant that in their care, all children find protection, guidance, and love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Bestow wisdom and righteousness to our earthly rulers, especially those elected or appointed to guide this country, state, and community. Teach them to prize integrity over re-election; justice for all, over special interests; and attentiveness to your will over expediency.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Your Son chided his disciples for their little faith, yet he saved them from the storm. He sent them into a storm-tossed world, to share the Gospel of salvation and life in him. Bless everyone, even those of little faith, who strive to share the Lord Jesus with another shipwrecked soul! Lead them to safe harbor in your embrace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are overwhelmed by waves of suffering and sorrow; who have been shipwrecked by abuse, abandonment, or injustice; who have been cast adrift in pathless seas of confusion, delusion, or doubt; and who cry out, fearing that you neither hear or care that they are perishing. Extend your mighty hand and outstretched arm and deliver them. This day we name: {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for delivering all who died trusting in you. Give us ears to hear Jesus’ words, “Peace; be still” when all we hear are the wind and waves of turmoil and fear. By his merits, bring us into your Kingdom, where with you and with all whom you have redeemed, we may dwell in joyful and blessed peace forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.

 

“And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:9)

The law kills.  The law is meant to kill.  You cannot uphold the law, so do not go down the false trail of thinking that what you do gains merit.  Die to self.  Die with Christ that you may resurrected with Him.  Come into the new life that is in Christ alone.  Know that in Christ alone is the only hope for any throughout this age and forever.  Live in the righteousness that God alone gives.

Lord, I get caught up in the meritorious mechanization of this age.  “Do this and all will be well.”  But I fail and I know I fail.  Help me turn to You and be saved as I need to be saved.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and forever be guided by You.  You give the righteousness that is true righteousness and without You there cannot be any hope.  With You is all hope.

Lord Jesus, You give those who follow You Your righteousness.  Help me to not veer away from the righteousness You give, but to walk always in the way of life that You have given me by grace.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth shrouded in Your righteousness that I may live into the eternal life You have won for me through the cross.  Guide me this day and every day, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.