Prayers, September 4: 13th Sunday after Pentecost, C (Proper 18; Labor Day weekend)
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (Before you God sets life and death, blessing and curse; choose life!)
Psalm 1 (Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly; his delight is in the law of the Lord)
Philemon, whole thing (Paul’s artful persuasion on behalf of a runaway slave)
Luke 14:25-35 (Consider the cost of discipleship first!)
ELW/RCL: Luke 14:25-33 (Eliminates words about unsalty salt)
Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Gracious Father, teach us what true discipleship is. By your Spirit, give us the faith and steadfastness to bear its cost. Thank you for so clearly setting before us the “way of blessing and curse, of life and death.” Thank you for the grace to choose the life you offer through the death and resurrection of your Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the Church around the world. Make it holy and blameless, wise and loving, fearless and compassionate in equal measure. Make it delight in your Law and proclaim your Gospel. Establish its roots in the living waters flowing from Christ its head and its life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the people and ministries of this congregation. Help us to meditate on your Word day and night. Give us grace to forgive, faithfulness to serve, and joyfulness to worship. Use us to lead many people to those streams of living water in which is found true life in Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for persecuted Christians, for missionaries, for seminary professors and students, and for all pastors and evangelists. Give them wise and humble hearts. Use them to bring the healing and saving Gospel to those whom the world has despised and rejected.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our nation and its leaders; and for the people and leaders of every nation on earth. Help all of us to “walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners; nor sit in the seat of scoffers;” but instead to delight in your Law; to meditate on your will; and to practice doing it so that we may live before you in peace and righteousness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your Son dignified our labor by sharing our toil. Be with your people wherever they work. Make leaders of industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will. Give us pride in what we do. Be the strong refuge of those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of employment. Help all who are able to work to find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for everyone who needs your mercy and loving-kindness – especially: {List}. Refresh their hearts; heal whatever is wounded; and restore them to fellowship with all who love them. As we recall Paul’s words to Philemon, we lift before you the plight of all who, even this day, are slaves. Deliver them from bondage, and let us always claim them as kindred for whom Christ has died.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy and loving Father, with gratitude and affection we entrust into your care our beloved dead. Through your Holy Spirit, strengthen us in our vocation as disciples of the Lord Jesus, so that, not counting the cost, we always bear faithful witness to him. For his sake, bring us into your presence, to be numbered with all those who serve, worship, and adore you in glory everlasting.
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. AMEN.
