March 5, 2023, 2nd Sunday in Lent

March 5, 2023, 2nd Sunday in Lent

 

Genesis 12:1-9 (God calls Abram, promises land and offspring)

                (ELW: Genesis 12:1-4a)

Psalm 121 (From whence does my help come? The Lord, who will watch over you)

Romans 4:1-8, 13-17 (The promises to Abraham came through the righteousness

                of faith, not works of law)

John 3:1-17 (Jesus and Nicodemus; God so loved the world….)

***

Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.

A brief silence

Dearest heavenly Father, we know John 3:16 by heart. Thank you for its truth. You so loved the world! You gave your only Son! We may have everlasting life, not death! Thank you for your love. By your Spirit, let our lives reflect that love – to you, and to people who don’t yet know your love or believe your Word.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let the wind of your Spirit blow through your Church. Breathe your life and love through it, to revive everyone who is wounded and dying from the assaults of the sin, death, and the devil. Make the Church your “wounded healer,” able to draw broken and sinful people close to Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Keep watch over our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world when they cry to you for help. Preserve them from every evil. Grant repentance, forgiveness, and new life to their tormentors.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel, needed the challenge, wisdom, and words of life that only Jesus could give. Grant that all who seek to be pastors, teachers, and theologians should always sit at Jesus’ feet. Fill them with his Spirit. Make them truth-filled teachers and trustworthy guides to everyone in their care.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Fill this congregation with the Holy Spirit, so that day by day, our hearts, minds, words, and works are reborn as instruments of your will. Use us to bring your redeeming love to those who need it most.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for travelers, immigrants, and refugees. Protect them from cruel traffickers, false promises, and deadly dangers. Help our country find and enact wise, effective, safe, and charitable ways to welcome and assimilate those seeking a better life here.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Teach and guide the leaders of all nations, especially our own. Help them prefer integrity and wisdom to the allure of power or popularity. Make them watchful and protective toward those entrusted to their care. Guide them in paths of justice and righteousness, and help us all to walk in those paths.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Be the shield and strength of those who risk their lives on our behalf. Do not let their foot be moved. Deliver them from evil. Use them to bring safety and help in dangerous situations . Restore them to their loved ones when their task is done. Grant honor to the fallen, healing to the wounded; and peace to all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Watch over everyone who endures pain, sorrow, fear, doubt, loneliness, or despair, especially: {List}. Be their shade and shelter. Give hope to their hearts, health to their bodies, confidence to their minds, and faith to their souls.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for embracing our beloved dead in your everlasting arms. Keep us steadfast in the faith. Guide us through this “barren land.” Feed us with the Bread of Heaven. Be our strength and shield. When we tread the verge of Jordan, bid our anxious fears subside. By the Cross of Jesus, land us safe on Canaan’s side. Fill us with songs and praises that, with all the redeemed, we sing to you 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.