September 19: 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20
September 19: 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20
Jeremiah 11:18-20 (Jeremiah’s life threatened, like lamb led to slaughter)
Psalm 54 (Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate my by your might)
James 3:13-4:10 (Earthly versus heavenly wisdom and friendship)
RCL/ELW: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (Eliminates “Adulterers! Friendship with world is enmity with God,” and exhortation to lament sin, humble self that God may exalt)
Mark 9:30-37 (Passion prediction; argument over who is greatest)
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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
Most holy Father, thank you for Jesus, our spotless and innocent lamb, slain to take away our sin. Thank you that he willingly suffered betrayal, torture, and death for love of us. Thank you for saving us in the strong name of Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Conform your Church to your beloved Son, and not to the world. Make it model his love, forgiveness, and purity to those who scorn or have forgotten such things. Through its words and deeds, lead many to the foot of Jesus’ Cross, there to receive life and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Help those of us who are comfortable in our Christianity to serve, defend, and provide for your persecuted and suffering Church. Let us never, by scandalous words or selfish deeds, cheapen or debase their faithful witness to their Savior – and ours.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We ask your blessing upon this congregation and all its ministries. Help us to take delight in glorifying your name through self-giving service to one another and to our communities.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Jesus exalts servanthood as an example of his loving obedience to his Father. It’s easy for us to overlook or belittle those who actually are servants in everyday life. Bless them, and adorn their labors with the loveliness of Christ’s labors on our behalf. Help us to notice, honor, and compensate servants, laborers, hired hands, and others who do the work we’d rather not.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Rulers and leaders, celebrities and authorities are used to lording it over others. Give them a teachable spirit and humble heart. Make them eager to use their riches of intellect, authority, and station to serve the people entrusted to their care. Give each of us the grace, wisdom, and kindness to be true friends, neighbors, and servants to those around us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Raise up pastors and evangelists who boldly preach and tenderly care for people who are starving for your Word. Help us to encourage and provide for them. Bless seminaries as they teach them. Bless spiritual directors and mentors who shape them into your servant leaders.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you for doctors, nurses, therapists, EMT’s, orderlies, and all whose service helps people in deep distress. Give them a double portion of your Spirit. Use their skills and our support and prayers to bring healing and comfort the abused, imprisoned, sick, wounded, lonely, confused, grieving, or dying. Especially we plead on behalf of: {List}.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, we thank you for all your good and faithful servants, especially those whose deaths we mourn. Keep us steadfast in faith, firm in hope, constant in love, generous in service, and abundant in joy as we continue our earthly pilgrimage. Lead us in this life “with the Cross of Jesus going on before.” Bring us, through his good work, into the blessed Kingdom where we find our eternal life and joy in union with you and with all whom you have redeemed.
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.