THE PRAYERS, Christ the King Sunday, Cycle C (November 20, 2022)
Malachi 3:13-18 (God tells his people of their complaints against him; they listen and ponder his words; God will spare the righteous as a father spares his children)
ELW/RCL: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (God gives good Shepherd, righteous Branch for his people)
Psalm 46, again?!? (Kingdoms totter and fall into the sea, but God is our refuge and strength)
Colossians 1:13-20 (Jesus is the perfect image of God; in him all things hang together)
ELW/RCL: Colossians 1:11-20 (Adds prayer for strength, joy, endurance, thanks)
Luke 23:27-43 (From the Via Dolorosa to the Cross; Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom; Father, into your hands I commend my spirit)
ELW/RCL: Luke 23:33-43 (Eliminates Via Dolorosa)
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In the power of the Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.
A brief silence
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be our King who rules with justice and mercy through his sacrificial death and resurrection. Thank you for his glorious and gentle rule. Thank you for filling us with your Holy Spirit, so we have the faith to acclaim him as King and love him as Savior and Brother.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You are pleased to make the Church the Body of which Christ Jesus is the head. Fill the Church with your Spirit, so that through its words and deeds, many are delivered from the domain of darkness, receive forgiveness and redemption, and are transferred into the Kingdom of your beloved Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make this congregation your treasured possession. Form us in the image of Jesus. Use us to proclaim his love and draw others to his Cross, until the whole world adores him as King, Savior, and God.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Unite the suffering of your persecuted people to the Passion of Christ. Let their tormentors see Jesus’ love in their actions, hear his forgiveness on their lips, and turn to him in repentance and faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our enemies, for criminals, evildoers, and hatemongers, and for everyone who is hard to forgive. Teach us to pray with Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Let him subdue every sinful heart to his will, so that he might truly be all in all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Say to our rulers: “Be still; and know that I alone am God.” School their proud and disobedient wills to your commands. Be a strong bulwark and mighty fortress for the poor, weak, and innocent. Let peace, justice, health, and mercy be established in every land. Teach us all to acclaim Jesus as King of kings and Lord of all nations, and cause his peace to rule undisturbed in every heart.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make war to cease in all the world. Break the bow, shatter the spear, and burn the shields with fire. Hasten the day when we need not lift up prayers for those in the military, or for first responders. Until then, equip them with integrity, competence, and courage. Preserve them in safety and heal them when they falter. When they return, use them in new ways to benefit our communities and nation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Exalt yourself, O Lord; be the refuge and strength of all who are afflicted by evil and suffering. This day, we remember before you: {List}. Be their present help in time of trouble; and make their hearts glad.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Dear Father, your Son promises Paradise to any who, like the repentant thief, turns in faith to him. We entrust to you our beloved dead. Help us to comfort and encourage each other to trust and follow Jesus. Teach us to pray, “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your Kingdom.” And in your mercy, fulfill those words! Grant that we shall be with him in Paradise! Let us, with all the redeemed, adore and bless him forever, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, as Savior, Lord, King, and God.
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.
