THE PRAYERS,
16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 21, Cycle C (September 25, 2022)
Amos 6:1-7: (Woe to those who are at ease in Zion! The shall go into exile)
ELW/RCL: Amos 6:1a, 4-7 (Eliminates obscure reference to surrounding nations)
Psalm 146: (The Lord sets the prisoners free, saves those who perish)
1 Timothy 3:1-13: (Qualifications of bishops and deacons)
ELW/RCL: 1 Timothy 6:6-19 (Temptations of riches; exhortation to Timothy to fight good fight of faith)
Luke 16:19-31: (The rich man and Lazarus)
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Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Father, thank you for words of warning and wisdom. Sometimes we don’t want to hear how faith and finances are connected! And sometimes we think they’re about other people, not us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, so we can listen to your Word, think about our priorities, and faithfully do your will.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give your Church pastors, bishops, deacons, and theologians who adorn your Gospel with holy lives and grace-filled words. Through their wise leadership, lead many people to deeper faith, unshakable hope, and generous charity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Look with kindness upon the people and ministries of this congregation. Help us keep the main thing the main thing: loving you, and generously sharing your love with others, however and wherever we can.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the persecuted church, especially in Nigeria, Pakistan, and North Korea. Keep your people steadfast in faith. Help us to speak boldly in their defense. Turn the hearts of their tormentors away from their folly, and bring them to repentant faith in you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our country, and for its elected and appointed leaders. Heal the suspicion, division, and hatred that weakens and fractures us. Bless everyone who works to restore integrity, common sense, and impartial justice, tempered with mercy, in our common life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, it’s too easy to ignore the poor or blame them for their plight. It’s also easy to do unhelpful things, thinking we’re being compassionate. Give us wisdom as well as generosity. Help us to listen and see, to ponder and discuss, so we work with poor people to help them work for, and walk into, a better life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear and answer the prayers of all who cry out to you for help. Especially we pray for the needs of: {List}. Refresh them in their time of trial, and surround them with skilled and kindly care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear Father, thank you for gathering our beloved dead into your own bosom. Comfort all who mourn the loss of loved ones. Give us your Holy Spirit, so we encourage, challenge, and support each other as we strive to walk in your ways. Bring us, with all whom you have redeemed by the blood of Jesus, into the holy peace and eternal joy of your Kingdom.
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.
