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