March 19, 2023, 4th Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 42:14-21 (I will lead the blind by paths they don’t see)
(ELW: 1 Samuel 16:1-13: Samuel anoints David)
Psalm 142 (I cry to the Lord, for I have been brought very low)
(ELW: Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd)
Ephesians 5:8-14 (Once you were in darkness; now walk as children of the light)
John 9:1-41 (Jesus heals the man born blind)
Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.
A brief silence
Father, thank you for the light of sun, moon, stars, streetlights, candles, and lamps. Thank you for these “created lights” that bear witness to the true and uncreated Light, your Son, Jesus Christ. Lead us, even when eyes fail and earthly lights grow dim, to his kindly light, which no darkness can overcome.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Heal the blindness of your Church. Give it eyes to see its own sin, and to repent. Give it eyes to see the world’s sins, and to offer your forgiveness to any who will receive it. Give it eyes to see the plight of all who are afflicted by sin, death, and the devil, and to proclaim your redemption, given through the Passion of your dear Son.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Heal the blindness of those who hate the followers of Jesus, and of all who turn a blind eye to their plight. Grant that the words and actions of all who suffer on account of Christ may inspire their enemies to repent and believe in you.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give clear sight and strong faith to missionaries, seminarians and their professors, pastors, and all of Jesus’ apprentices. Through their labors, lead many who are spiritually blind to Jesus for healing.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Heal any spiritual blindness in this congregation. Give us eyes to see Jesus in one another. For his sake, help us love even people we don’t yet like. Give us eyes to see new opportunities for serving you. As we become braver in sharing our faith, make us lamps shining with Jesus’ love for everyone we encounter.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Let your healing, blessing, and grace rest upon the blind and deaf; and upon those with impaired senses of touch, taste, balance, or movement. Give them strength and courage. Sharpen the perception of their other senses. Surround them with people whose respect and encouragement leads them to greater faith in you, their light and their life.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Heal the blindness of the nations, and all who are in positions of authority. Give them eyes to seek your will, and hearts and hands to do it. Give them eyes to see injustice, deceit and cruelty, and the strength and courage to combat them. Make each of us into children of your light, living in faith toward you and with fervent love toward one another.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
As your dear Son healed the man born blind, we pray that he would also bring healing, light, hope, and faith to everyone who suffers from any affliction, including: {List}. Lift them up from pain, sorrow, fear, or grief. And give them the joy of your saving help, now and always.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Thank you, dear Father, for receiving into your greater light and into your eternal life, our beloved dead. Deal mercifully with those shadowed by grief. We pray: Lord, let us receive our sight, so that day by day, we see you more clearly; love you more dearly; and follow you more nearly. Lead us, with all who have redeemed by the merits of your Son, to heaven, there to gaze on his fair beauty forever.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
