THE PRAYERS,
5th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10, Cycle C (July 10, 2022)
Leviticus 18:17-19; 19:9-18 (you shall not be sexually impure, nor lie, cheat, or show partiality; you SHALL reprove your neighbor; love your neighbor as yourself, I am the Lord your God)
ELW/RCL: Deuteronomy 30:9-14 (God will prosper those who obey his commands. His word is very near you)
Psalm 41 (Love the poor; Lord, defend me from my enemies)
ELW/RCL: Psalm 25:1-10 (Lead me in truth, remember me in mercy)
Colossians 1:1-14 (You are bearing the Gospel’s fruit; lead lives worthy of Christ; clothed in his power, you shall endure, be joyful & give thanks)
Luke 10:25-37 (Who’s this neighbor I’m supposed to love? Parable of Good Samaritan)
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
Thank you, Lord, for giving us the ministry of showing mercy to others. But sometimes we are distracted or self-absorbed. We make excuses for “passing by on the other side.” Forgive us, dear Father, and kindle your Holy Spirit within our hearts. Make us signs of your love to those who need it most.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
When your Church lies wounded and bleeding, and its leaders pass by on the other side, send your dear Son to be her Good Samaritan. Anoint her with the oil of healing and gladness. Feed her with the medicine of immortality, the Body and Blood of her Savior. And raise her up to be your “Mercy Hospital” for a hurting and hurtful world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fill the hearts of everyone in this congregation with kindness and mercy. Make us holy and humble, gentle and good, courageous and compassionate, all in equal measure. Make us into your kindly beasts of burden who bear wounded and dying souls to the healing presence of Jesus, their Good Physician.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Our persecuted sisters and brothers cry to you for help. Give them strength, hope, and courage in their suffering. Do not let us ignore their plight. Forgive and transform evildoers who have wounded them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give sharp eyes, wise hearts, and generous hands to our elected and appointed leaders, wherever they are given authority and power. Help each of us to notice our neighbor’s distress. Give us all the grace and the willingness to show them mercy.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, protect the farms, businesses, and homes of everyone affected by flood, fire, wind, or drought. Keep safe all who work to repair and strengthen bridges, roads, dams, and levees. Open wide the hands of all your people, to help provide for those whose homes and livelihoods have been washed or shriveled away.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bring the healing balm of Jesus’ grace and mercy to all who are wounded in body, mind, or spirit, especially those we name before you now. Bless all who act as Good Samaritans to them. Let all that is needed for health and hope be provided, and restore them to full fellowship with all who love them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving your fullest healing to our beloved dead. Bind up the hearts of those still wounded by grief. Help us to show kindness and mercy to everyone we meet throughout our earthly pilgrimage; we do not know the burden of suffering that they bear. Fill us with your life-giving Spirit. And, by your grace, bring us into your house of healing, life, love, and peace, which your Son has prepared for all whom he has redeemed, and where we shall abide with you forever.
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.
