The Prayers of the Church
May 22, 2022: 6th Sunday of Easter
Acts 16:9-15 (mission to Macedonia; meeting in house of Lydia)
Psalm 67 (May God be gracious to us and bless us; let all peoples praise him)
Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27 (vision of the New Jerusalem)
John 16:22-33 (then you will ask anything of the Father in my name, and receive; you joy will be complete. In the world you have trouble, but I have overcome the world)
RCL: John 14:23-29 (Those who love me keep my word; I give you peace; I send the Spirit; rejoice, because I go to the Father)
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Let us pray to our risen Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Lord Jesus, blessed Bridegroom, thank you for making us your beloved Bride, even giving your life for us! Thank you for making your Church, now troubled by evils within and without, the glorious New Jerusalem! Thank you for promising us joy in our fellowship with you and one another!
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to your Church the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Grant that, in a world shadowed by suffering, sorrow and sin, it proclaims your promise of joy, and shares the blessings of your love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Confessing your name brings great trouble to many Christians around the world. Assure them that you have overcome the world. Grant them such deep joy that their enemies are astonished, and repent.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let the Spirit fill every heart in this congregation with joy. Make that joy blossom into heartfelt worship, loving service, truthful witness, deep prayer, and loving fellowship. Use us to draw our friends and neighbors closer to you. May we shed the light of your love and joy in the darkest corners of their lives.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give your joyous presence to our teenagers. It is easy to be preoccupied with school, sports, jobs, and friends. It can be hard to endure teasing or scorn because of faith in you. Fill them with your love, so they may share it and be a blessing to those around them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
This world is filled with trouble; yet you have overcome the world and defeated the powers of sin, evil, and death. We pray for our world; for its leaders; for all people, especially those who are most burdened by the sorrows and horrors of war, poverty, hatred, abuse, disease and despair. Bestow your Holy Spirit upon us all: the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord; and most of all, the Spirit of joy in your presence.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant healing and hope to all who suffer in body, mind or spirit, especially: {List}. Be gracious and merciful to them, and to all who care for them. Restore the bonds of fellowship and affection that have been strained or sundered by suffering and adversity; and give to us all the joy of your saving help.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have overcome the world, the devil, and our sins. Thank you for delivering our beloved dead from those powers. Let the fullness of your joy touch and heal hearts still shadowed by grief. Help us all to live in faith and hope, love and kindness, gentleness and peace, self-control and patience. Give us a foretaste of that joy that you promise forever to all whom you love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
