March 26, 2023, 5th Sunday in Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The valley of dry bones)
Psalm 130 (Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord)
Romans 8:1-11 (The life-giving Spirit)
(ELW, Romans 8:6-11, You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit of Christ,
who dwells within you and gives you life)
John 11:1-45[46-53]) (The death and raising of Lazarus)
Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.
A brief silence
Lord, we live in a valley of deathly shadows. Thank you for Jesus, who calls us by name from our tombs. Help us to firmly believe that his is our Resurrection and our Life.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon your Church. Make it the living body of Jesus in the world. In Word and Sacrament, and by deeds of mercy and forgiveness, let it share your life and grace with all who are held captive to sin, evil and death.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon your persecuted servants throughout the world. Revive their faith and knit them into an undying fellowship with Jesus and with one another. By their courageous witness and their patient suffering, glorify your Name and turn many hearts to repentant faith.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon all missionaries, pastors, and theologians. By their faithful preaching and acts of charity, grant life and salvation to those who walk in the valley of the shadow of death.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon this congregation, so that our worship, words, and deeds abound with the fruits of that Spirit. Fill us with Jesus, and give us grace to share his life with everyone we meet.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon all to whom death draws near, especially those who die alone or unloved. Grant them serenity, faith, and reconciliation with you and with family. Bless them with the mercy and grace promised by your Son to any who will receive him. Give a double portion of your Spirit to hospice workers and to all who care for the dying.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon all who lead the nations, especially our own. Fill them with wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord; and joy in doing your will. Help them work for the welfare of their people. Give your grace and peace to us all.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon all who risk their lives to defend life and liberty. Keep them faithful, true, and bold. Shield and direct them in perilous situations. Raise and heal them when they fall. Deliver them into a place of safety when their task has ended.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit upon all who all who suffer, including: {List}. As Jesus raised up Lazarus from death, we beseech you, raise up these dear and restore them to their loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Holy and gracious Father, thank you for calling your faithful servants by name, out of death and into your eternal life. Breathe your Spirit upon us, for we are still troubled by the sin, death, and the devil. Give us grace to comfort, encourage, and help each other along life’s road. Grant us faith to confess your Son as the Resurrection and the Life, the One who has come into the world to bring us salvation.
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.
