THE PRAYERS, October 9, 2022: 18th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23)
Ruth 1:1-19a (Ruth’s love for Naomi)
ELW/RCL: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15 (Naaman the leper healed by Elisha)
Psalm 111 (God is gracious, provides for those who fear him. His works, laws are trustworthy)
2 Timothy 2:1-13 (Paul encourages Timothy to be steadfast and diligent in his labors)
ELW/RCL: 1 Timothy 2:8-15 (Eliminates exhortation to strive, even suffer; adds counsel to exhort against quarreling and to be worker approved by God)
Luke 17:11-19 (Jesus heals 10 lepers; one returns to thank and worship)
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For the Church, the world, and all people, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A brief silence
Dear Lord, give us steadfast love and heartfelt gratitude for every good gift that comes from you! We are so blessed. Tune our hearts to sing your praise. Make our feet lovely with the eagerness to run to others with tokens of your mercy and goodness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Give to your Church the faithful love for you and for one another that Ruth had for Naomi. Stir up in it the thankful worship of the Samaritan leper. Grant it the bold and truthful witness of Paul and Timothy. Raise up righteous pastors, theologians, and other leaders. And use your Church to show your goodness toward those who fear you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for this congregation – its people, its ministries, and its mission. In all things, shape us into vessels of your generosity and holiness, so that many people may receive life and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Help us to remember, defend, assist, and walk with Christians who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Let their faith, hope and love be a shining witness in places of spiritual darkness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for our world, broken by evil and bruised by violence. Give us teachable hearts that rejoice in, and strive to obey, your precepts. Give wisdom, integrity, and common sense to our elected and appointed leaders. Guide all who are entrusted with authority in government, commerce, education, and whatever else affects your people in their everyday lives.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Be gracious and merciful to widows and widowers, and to all are embittered by loss and grief. Help us to walk with them in their sorrow, and to show them kindness, friendship, and understanding.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Our Lord Jesus, in his infinite compassion, healed ten lepers. We pray that he do so the same for everyone afflicted by disease, despair, or the shadow of death. Especially we life before you the needs of: {List}. Grant them healing, hope, and grateful hearts; and reunite them with all who love them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Most Holy and blessed Father, bring your perfect, eternal healing to all who have died trusting in your promises. Comfort all who mourn. Give us devoted friendship, diligent service, and grateful hearts. For Jesus’ sake, deliver us from evil and forgive us our sins. Heal us in body, soul, mind, and heart, so with our whole being, we may love and praise you eternally in the company of everyone you have redeemed.
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.
