The Prayers of the Church
June 5, 2022: Day of Pentecost
Genesis 11:1-9 (Tower of Babel and confusion of languages)
Psalm 143 (prayer of longing for God’s refreshing presence)
RCL: Psalm 104: 24-35
Acts 2:1-21 (Day of Pentecost and undoing of Babel)
John 14:23-31 (Love me, do my commandments; I am sending the Spirit who will remind you
of all my words; my peace I give to you)
RCL: John 14:8-17 (See me, see the Father; if you love me, keep my commandments;
the Father will send the Spirit of truth)
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By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to God our Father in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, making intercession for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.
A brief silence
Come Holy Spirit! Set our hearts on fire with love for God one another. Propel us into the war zones of hatred, despair, and unbelief. Kindle our tongues to speak words of grace, truth, and life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Purify the Church with your holy fire. Burn away its sins and schisms. Warm it with love for Jesus and for the world he came to save. Teach it to remember, cherish, teach, and live Jesus said, especially his command to love one another as he has loved us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Enliven and sustain everyone who is persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Give them wisdom, gentleness, courage, and faithfulness. Convict and convert the enemies of the Gospel to lives of repentance and faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Descend upon the hearts and minds of everyone in this congregation. Cause us to shine the light of Christ on the lives of those who need him most. Conform us ever more perfectly to his blessed likeness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who hate and scorn the Gospel of Jesus. Cause their hearts to burn with desire for Him, though they do not know him yet. Make them long for an imperishable Hope; for a living Truth; for a trustworthy Way; for a transfigured Life; and for a Love that will not let them go.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Direct, strengthen, and cheer all who risk their lives on behalf of others. Prosper all they do that conforms to your will. Grant healing to the wounded, honor to those who sacrificed their lives, patience and hope to their families. When they return home, grant them ways to help build a better world for all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Come, Creator Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Bless, renew, provide for, and transfigure this broken world, until it conforms to the will and fulfills the desire of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Teach, purify and perfect the minds, hearts and wills of all people – especially those entrusted with power and authority; and bestow the blessings of peace, health, knowledge and tranquility upon us all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Breathe health, wholeness, and hope into the hearts of all who suffer, especially: {List}. Grant refreshment to their spirits. Restore them to full fellowship with all who love them. Bless everyone who cares for them, especially those whose research and skill brings new hope to those afflicted by suffering.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most blessed and Holy Spirit, we laud and magnify your gracious protection and lordly power that brings the resurrection life of Jesus to all who call upon his name. We thank you for breathing his eternal life into all the faithful departed. Breathe the love of Jesus into us. Renew our minds and set fire to our hearts. Make our lives overflow with the beauty of holiness, drawing others to Christ. Give us grace to enter into the blessed company of the redeemed, and by your power, to worship the Father in union with his dear Son, our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
