September 12: 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19
Isaiah 50:4-10 (Suffering Servant’s humiliation and vindication)
RCL/ELW: Isaiah 50:4-9a (eliminates punishment of Suffering Servant’s accusers, and also the verse about obeying God while walking in darkness)
Psalm 116:1-9 (You deliver soul from death, eyes from tears, feet from stumbling)
James 3:1-12 (Taming the tongue)
Mark 9:14-29 (Jesus heals the boy with epilepsy)
RCL/ELW: Mark 8:27-38 (Peter’s confession, Jesus’ rebuke, following him involves self-denial)
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THE PRAYERS
Trusting, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the goodness of our heavenly Father, let us pray in Jesus’ name for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Father, thank you for delivering our souls from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from stumbling. Thank you for your Son, who took on our stumbling, tears, sins, and death, and who gives us his holy and lovely life in return. Thank you for healing us so that we can follow Jesus and share him with the whole world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant that your Church always proclaims Christ crucified and raised from the dead. Let it constantly confess Jesus as your only-begotten Son and beloved Servant, who bears and heals the world’s sin, sorrow, and suffering.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Persecuted Christians throughout the world bear their cross in faithful obedience to Jesus. Sustain, protect, bless, and provide for them. Help us, whose crosses are lighter, to bear their burdens however we can.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Increase the faith of everyone in this congregation, dear Lord. Conform our worship and works to Christ. Use us to bring his healing, forgiveness, and salvation to those who need it most.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most church programs start now. Bless and prosper all that glorifies you and builds up the Body of Christ. Increase our love of learning, zeal for service, and warmth of spirit. Especially we pray for teachers, discipleship guides, choirs, committees, and all who shine the love of Jesus upon those who do not know him well.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant humility and wisdom to the leaders of nations and captains of industry, the giants of culture and icons of sport, the legislators and judges, the researchers, teachers, philosophers, and others who shape our world. Remind them that all they have is from you, given in trust for the benefit of all people. Give everyone the desire and ability to live justly and kindly with each other, despite our differences.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We reflect on the 20th anniversary of 9-11, and pray that never again shall hatred and evil ideology cause such harm anywhere on this poor suffering earth. Beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning-hooks. Soften every heart to receive, cherish, and share your pure, holy love for us, for we are all created in your image and offered forgiveness and salvation through the death and resurrection of your Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Sometimes as we pray for loved ones in distress, we are like the father who cried out to you, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!” Keep us steadfast in faith as we pray for all who suffer. Remind us all that Jesus has indeed “borne our sickness and carried our infirmity.” In his name we pray for: {List}.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most holy God, keep in your tender care our beloved dead. Help us to encourage one another in prayer, holy living, faith, and love. Receive us into the glorious company of all the redeemed, who with angels and archangels and all the hosts of heaven, praise and adore you forever – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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.
