THE PRAYERS,
October 16: 19th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24)
OR – and it is a stretch, but this is the year of Luke, St. Luke, Evangelist
Pentecost 19 lessons and prayers
Genesis 32:22-30 (Jacob wrestles with mysterious stranger, is wounded but named Israel)
Psalm 121 (My help comes from the Lord. He neither slumbers nor sleeps, will watch your going and coming)
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (All Scripture is inspired, useful for teaching and reproof; but people will have itching ears and refuse sound doctrine)
Luke 18:1-8 (Parable of widow and unjust judge; God hears cries of his chosen ones; but will Son of Man find such faith when he returns?)
Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Heavenly Father, sometimes our ears itch because we desire convenient untruths. Sometimes we wrestle with your Word and come away hobbling. Sometimes it’s hard to love, trust, and obey you! Thank you for hearing our prayers anyhow. Thank you for touching us with healing and blessing, not just rebuke and warning. Thank you for Jesus, who is your Truth, Blessing, Word, and Love incarnate.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church throughout the world always confess and preach that all Scripture is inspired, useful for teaching and reproof. Fill it with your Holy Spirit, so that it penetrates itching ears with the pure doctrine of Christ, crucified and raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sin unto life everlasting.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Keep everyone in this congregation in your merciful care. Conform our hearts to your will. Help us pray with bold faith and persistent hope. In all things, let us glorify you, bear witness to your holy and gracious Word, and lead lives worthy of our calling as your children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Do not slumber or sleep, O Lord, while your suffering Church prays to you. Hear their cries and come to their aid. Soften the hearts of their unjust judges and persecutors. Make those repent of their evil and do what is right in your sight. Grant faith, persistence, and compassion to all who preach the Gospel to those who have not heard the name of Christ aright.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless our war-torn world with your peace. Give it leaders who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight. Look with kindness upon the poor and needy, the widow and orphan, and all to whom justice has been denied. Spur us to give practical, compassionate help, so all receive your blessings.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for lawyers, judges, magistrates, and for all who make or interpret laws and administer justice. Give them uprightness of heart, and a passion for truth. Make them wise, fair, and impartial in their decisions. Through their work, accomplish your holy and gracious will in our midst.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear the cries of all who suffer, especially: {List}. Bring them safely through their trials, and give them faith in your gracious love. Bless and strengthen everyone who assists in their care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you, dear Father, for our loved ones who have died and are asleep in your arms. Until we are reunited with them and with all whom you have redeemed, keep us steadfast in faith, persistent in prayer, and attentive to your Word. Let enter your presence in the company of all the saints, and forever worship, praise, and adore you for your love, given through your Son Jesus Christ our Savior.
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.
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St. Luke lessons and prayers
Isaiah 43:8-13 (I am your God and Savior; and you are my witnesses!)
Or Isaiah 35:5-8 (Promise that the blind shall see, lame shall run; there will be water, joy, and a highway in the desert)
Psalm 124 (The Lord was on our side, we have escaped our enemies!)
2 Timothy 4:5-11 (Paul has run his race, fought his fight; only Luke remains with him now)
Luke 1:1-4; 24:44 (…then Jesus said…)-53 (Why Luke writes; conclusion of Gospel)
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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
Heavenly Father, thank you for Luke, your servant, whose Gospel is so dear to us. Thank you for Jesus, who is your Truth, Blessing, Word, and Love incarnate.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church throughout the world always confess and preach that all Scripture is inspired, useful for teaching and reproof. Fill it with your Holy Spirit, so many may hear and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sin unto life everlasting.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Keep everyone in this congregation in your merciful care. Conform our hearts to your will. Help us pray with bold faith and persistent hope. In all things, let us glorify you, bear witness to your holy and gracious Word, and lead lives worthy of our calling as your children.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Do not slumber or sleep, O Lord, while your suffering Church prays to you. Hear their cries and come to their aid. Soften the hearts of their unjust judges and persecutors. Make those repent of their evil and do what is right in your sight. Grant faith, persistence, and compassion to all who preach the Gospel to those who have not heard the name of Christ aright.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless our war-torn world with your peace. Give it leaders who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight. Look with kindness upon the poor and needy, the widow and orphan, and all to whom justice has been denied. Spur us to give practical, compassionate help, so all receive your blessings.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Jesus came to heal the sick and sinful, and his servant Luke was also a physician. We pray therefore for doctors, nurses, and everyone who practices the healing arts and cares for the sick and wounded. Through their wise and compassionate care, touch all who suffer with your own life-giving love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear the cries of all who suffer, especially: {List}. Bring them safely through their trials, and give them faith in your gracious love. Bless and strengthen everyone who assists in their care.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Thank you, dear Father, for our loved ones who have died and are asleep in your arms. Until we are reunited with them and with all whom you have redeemed, keep us steadfast in faith, persistent in prayer, and attentive to your Word. Let enter your presence in the company of all the saints, and forever worship, praise, and adore you for your love, given through your Son Jesus Christ our Savior.
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.
