July 25: 9^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12

 

Genesis 9:8-17 (God makes rainbow a sign of his covenant with Noah)           

     RCL/ELW: 2 Kings 4:42-44 (Elisha feeds 100)

 

Psalm 136:1-9 (Give thanks to God; he is good; his steadfast love endures forever)        

     RCL/ELW: Psalm 145:10-18 (All eyes look to you, you give food in due season)

 

Ephesians 3:14-21 (Be strengthened by Spirit, rooted and grounded in Christ)

 

Mark 6:45-56 (Jesus walks on water, heals many in Gennesaret)

        RCL/ELW: John 6:1-21 (Feeding of 5000, walking on water)

 

 

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 our Good Shepherd! Thank you for his compassion and mercy. Thank you for the peace he gives through the blood of his Cross. Thank you. We adore and bless you for your overflowing loving-kindness to sinners like us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Most holy God, you have rooted and grounded the Church in the life-giving body of your dear Son. Use it to feed, heal, teach, and draw many people to the foot of Jesus’ Cross.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Shelter and bless all who suffer greatly for naming Jesus as Lord. By their faithful endurance and charity, soften the hearts of their enemies. Bring many to repentance and salvation.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Nourish the people of this congregation with the living Bread of heaven. Heal us with your compassion and forgiveness. Give us boldness to proclaim your saving love to those around us who need to hear it most.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Bless our young adults with strength of character, to resist the follies of the culture. Channel their energy and idealism into deeds of mercy and words of wisdom. Use them to introduce skeptical friends and cynical co-workers to you, the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Give upright hearts to those entrusted with leadership in government, education, industry, or the arts. Teach them to love wisdom, justice, and mercy. Grant that, through their proper use of authority, all people receive the blessings of food, health, safety, opportunity, and peace.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for all who risk their lives on behalf of liberty, justice, safety, and health. Equip them with every virtue they need to do their jobs faithfully and well. Help us to honor their service and sacrifice. Help them use their skills in new ways when their duties are completed.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Bestow your Holy Spirit upon all who cry out to you, especially: {List}. Graciously heal, restore, and strengthen them. Bless everyone who assists them in their time of need. Increase their trust in you, their Strength and their Redeemer.

 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Keep in your tender care, dear Father, all who have died trusting in your promises. Heal our grief, strengthen our faith, and forgive our sins of doubt, despair, or bitterness. Nourish us with the Bread of Life and refresh us with your Holy Spirit. And lead us into your heavenly Kingdom, where with all the redeemed, we shall rejoice in your goodness forever.

 

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

 

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (Colossians 1:21-22)

The world hates God.  They may not say that this is what it is, but the world hates God.  You were born alienated from God and Christ has come so that you might be reconciled to Him.  But here is the problem: you want it on your terms.  That is not how it works.  It is on Christ’s terms.  Come then and surrender to the One who is able to make of you more than you can ever hope to be on your own.

Lord, You have come in order that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly in Your presence, knowing that even though I want to do this, I cannot do this on my own.  Amidst the struggle of daily life, lead me in the way I need to go and then help me go that way.  You, Lord, know all that I need.  You, Lord, know all that is before me.  You know.  Help me to follow You.

Lord Jesus, You know me better than I know myself.  Your Spirit searches my heart and sifts it.  Continue sifting and do not give up on me.  Lead me where I need to go, not where I want to go.  Guide me along paths of Your choosing and ignore my pleas to follow other paths.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Use me as You will and lead me where You will, for I am Yours.  Amen.