Prayers, August 14: 10th Sunday after Pentecost, C (Proper 15)
OR Mary, Mother of Our Lord (transferred)
Pentecost 10 lessons and hymns:
Jeremiah 23:16-29 (Beware of false prophets who prophesy peace and plenty; God will act against wicked; his word is like fire and hammer)
ELW/RCL: Jeremiah 23:23-29 (Eliminates warning against false prophets)
Psalm 119:81-88 (My soul longs for your salvation; I am persecuted but shall remain faithful)
ELW/RCL: Psalm 82 (God calls for justice; psalmist prays God should enact justice)
Hebrews 11:17-31 (32-40); 12:1-3 (Old Testament roll call of faith; we are surrounded by great cloud of witnesses; run faith’s race; looking to Christ the pioneer and perfector of our faith)
ELW/RCL: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (Eliminates some stories of faithfulness)
Luke 12:49-56 (Jesus will cast fire on earth, completing his baptism; interpret signs of times!)
Let us pray for the Church, the world, and for one another.
A brief silence
Father, sometimes your word dismays us! We don’t like to hear about divine fire, judgment, and division. Make us brave and steadfast in faith. Give us ears to rightly hear, and hearts to rightly repent. Give us grace to show the fruits of repentant faith, to your glory and for the good of your people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church a faithful witness to your Word. When it must speak of fire, judgment, or sin, let it do so humbly and lovingly, but also honestly and fearlessly. Help it always point to Jesus, the merciful pioneer and perfector of our faith, and the longed-for Salvation of the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Renew the faith, increase the zeal, and strengthen the deeds of everyone in this congregation. Cast the purifying fire of your Holy Spirit in our midst, so that all we say and do is in accordance with your Word. Use us to accomplish your will in the lives of our neighbors.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We are surrounded by a cloud of faithful witnesses, including Christians who are persecuted in this age of “tolerance and diversity.” Strengthen and encourage us by their example. Give them patient and steadfast hearts. And burn away the sin from the hearts of all who hate them, and you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Establish your peace among all people of this world. No plan or project of ours can heal the seeds of wickedness and violence in our hearts. Thus we plead: heal, purify, guide and direct the people and the leaders of every human endeavor, in accordance with your will and for our common good.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Until your peace is established, good men and women must risk their lives to protect others. We pray for all of them. Direct their decisions and deeds, so that even places of chaos and violence may begin to know your peace. Bring them safely home, and bless their hearts and lives with that same peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for everyone who is afflicted by the powers of sin, suffering, and sorrow. Especially we remember before you: {List}. Be their sure hope and strong deliverer. Strengthen their faith in times of trial. Bring them safely into the fellowship of those who love them and into closer communion with you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we commend our departed loved ones into your care. Renew to us the promise you make to all the faithful: that “when through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.” Keep our faith steadfast and firm in your excellent Word, until that day when you bear us in your bosom into your everlasting Kingdom, and make us stand before you with all whom you have upheld by your righteous, omnipotent hand.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear our prayers, gracious Father, offered through the power of the Spirit; and for the sake of your dear Son, grant us all that is in accordance with your merciful will, to your glory and for the good of your people. AMEN.
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Mary, Mother of Our Lord Lessons and Prayers
Isaiah 61:7-11 (I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, who has clothed me with garment of salvation, robe of righteousness, like a bride)
Psalm 45 (The princess approaches the king, dressed in glorious apparel)
Galatians 4:4-7 (Jesus born of a woman, so we may with him say Abba, Father to God
Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat)
For the Church, the world, and needs of all people, let us pray to the Lord.
A brief silence
Most gracious Father, with Mary we cry out, “My soul magnifies the Lord! My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Thank you for your dear Son, flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone, born of the Virgin Mary. Thank you for giving us, through him, the privilege of calling you Abba, Father.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mary bore Jesus to the world in her body. Grant that your Church bears him to the world through its worship, words, witness, and works.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give wisdom, graciousness, and prudence to all who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Use their witness to strengthen our faith and to call their tormentors to repentance and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Fill the members of our congregation with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in your presence. Help us gladly and graciously magnify your greatness in all we say and do.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless parents, foster-parents, and all who care for your little ones. Fill them with the same Spirit who overshadowed Mary, so that they may raise up their children in godliness and integrity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give our earthly leaders prudence and wisdom. Remind them that you cast down the arrogant from their thrones but lift up the lowly. Teach them to fill the hungry with good things that sustain bodies and souls in hope, health, and peace..
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You hear the cries of the righteous and of all who suffer. Hear and graciously answer our prayers on behalf of all who are afflicted by pain, grief, shame, or despair, including: {List}. Restore their health, hope, and joy in the company of all who love them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father, thank you for all who died clinging to Mary’s Son and yours. Strengthen our faith in Jesus, and fill us with your Spirit. Lead us into your Kingdom, where with Mary and all the redeemed, we will rejoice and magnify you forever.
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.
