August 15: 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15
OR Mary, Mother of Our Lord
12 Pentecost/Proper 15 Lessons and Prayers
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (Renewal of covenant before entering Promised Land)
RCL/ELW: Proverbs 9:1-16 (Wisdom sets feast, beckons all to eat)
Psalm 34:12-22 (Many are the afflictions of the righteous; the Lord rescues them from them all)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 34:9-14 (fear and seek the Lord, pursue righteousness.
Ephesians 5:6-21 (Don’t be drunk on wine, but filled with the Spirit)
RCL/ELW: Ephesians 5:15-20 (eliminates being subject to one another)
John 6:51-69 (My flesh is true food, my blood, true drink; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life)
THE PRAYERS
For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.
A brief silence
Dear Father, feed us with wisdom and righteousness. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Nourish us with the love and life of your dear Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Nourish the Church with the fine bread and choice wine of Jesus’ own body and blood. Fill it with your heavenly light and life. Let that light cheer many hearts and guide many lives to you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give wisdom, graciousness, and prudence to all who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake; and use their witness to strengthen our faith and to call their tormentors to repentance and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Feed the members of our church with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in your presence; and grant that we gladly and graciously share this feast with our families, neighbors, friends, and communities.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless parents, foster-parents, and all who care for your little ones. Fill them with the bounty from Wisdom’s table, so that they may raise up their children in godliness and integrity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As Wisdom sets her feast before everyone, move the hearts of earthly rulers to heed her invitation and sit at her table. Feed them all they need to think, speak, and act in accordance with your will. Let all who are entrusted to their care prosper and live in peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you for the service of those in our military, and all first responders. Give them wisdom, courage, and competence in dangerous situations. Heal those who are wounded, and shelter those who fall in the line of duty. Bring swiftly and safely home those whose work is not yet done; and grant us all your peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You hear the cries of the righteous and of all who suffer. Hear and graciously answer our prayers on behalf of all who are afflicted by pain, grief, shame, or despair, including: {List}. Restore their health, hope, and joy in the company of all who love them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank you for our beloved dead, who with St. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Please strengthen our faith in your dear Son, and fill us with your Spirit. Lead us safely through this life into the fullness of your Kingdom, where with all whom you have redeemed, we shall rejoice in your great love forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Mary, Mother of Our Lord Lessons and Prayers
Isaiah 61:7-11 (I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, who has clothed me with garment of salvation, robe of righteousness, like a bride)
Psalm 45 (The princess approaches the king, dressed in glorious apparel)
Galatians 4:4-7 (Jesus born of a woman, so we may with him say Abba, Father to God
Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat)
The Prayers
For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.
A brief silence
Most gracious Father, with Mary we cry out, “My soul magnifies the Lord! My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Thank you for your dear Son, flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone, born of the Virgin Mary. Thank you for giving us, through him, the privilege of calling you Abba, Father.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mary bore Jesus to the world in her body. Grant that your Church bears him to the world through its worship, words, witness, and works.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give wisdom, graciousness, and prudence to all who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake; and use their witness to strengthen our faith and to call their tormentors to repentance and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fill the members of our congregation with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in your presence. Help us gladly and graciously magnify your greatness in all we say and do.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless parents, foster-parents, and all who care for your little ones. Fill them with the same Spirit who overshadowed Mary, so that they may raise up their children in godliness and integrity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give our earthly leaders prudence and wisdom. Remind them that you cast down the arrogant from their thrones but lift up the lowly. Teach them to fill the hungry with good things that sustain bodies and souls in hope, health, and peace..
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You hear the cries of the righteous and of all who suffer. Hear and graciously answer our prayers on behalf of all who are afflicted by pain, grief, shame, or despair, including: {List}. Restore their health, hope, and joy in the company of all who love them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank you for all who died clinging faithfully to Mary’s Son and yours. Please strengthen our faith in your dear Son, and fill us with your Spirit. Lead us safely through this life into the fullness of your Kingdom, where with Mary and all whom you have redeemed, we shall rejoice in your great love forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Incline your ear to our prayers, dear Lord; and answer them according to your most gracious and holy will, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
