October 22: 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24)
Isaiah 45:1-7 (God anoints Cyrus on behalf of his Chosen People)
Psalm 96: 1-13 (Declare God’s glory among the nations, whose gods are but worthless idols)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Paul commends Thessalonians for turning from idols to Christ)
Matthew 22:15-22 (Render to Caesar, and to God, what is due each)
In the power of the Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the world, the Church, and one another.
A brief silence is kept.
Thank you, dear Lord, for creating us in the image and likeness of your beloved Son. Thank you for making us his image-bearers to a world seduced by idols, pretenders, and fakes. Give us a double portion of your Spirit, so we constantly honor and serve Jesus, and show him to everyone we meet.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Imprint Jesus’ blessed image upon the Church. Conform its worship, teaching, fellowship, and outreach to his likeness. By faithful preaching of your Word, and through right administration your Sacraments, use your Church to lead many people from vain idols to life-giving trust in you, the true and only God.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We pray for our fellow Christians who suffer persecution because they refuse to render to anyone or anything the true worship that is due to you alone. By their faithful witness, lead their enemies to repentance and amendment of life.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Help this congregation to give you all honor, glory, worship, and praise. Help us to give one another kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. And help us to give our neighbors love, respect, and justice.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Sometimes we who bear Christ’s name display such a blurred and distorted image of him that others are scandalized and dismayed. Forgive and sanctify us. Make Jesus’ love and mercy shine clear and bright in our lives, to his glory and for the sake of those he came to save.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Until your peace reigns undisturbed throughout the world, direct the thoughts, words and actions of our military personnel, police, first responders, and all who risk their lives to bring safety and justice to others. Prosper all they do that serves your will. Bring healing to the wounded, hope to their families, and honor to all who have honorably served.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
As you anointed Cyrus to accomplish your will for captive Israel, we ask that you anoint the leaders of this and every nation upon earth. Equip them to do whatever accomplishes your will for all who are captives to injustice, poverty, or violence. Teach us to put our trust in you, to seek your will for the nation, and to live honorably, peaceably, and kindly with one another.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We plead on behalf of all who are afflicted by pain, turmoil, or any other assault of the Evil One. Today we also pray for: {List}. Come to their aid. Restore them to wholeness of body, mind, and spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Holy Father, we entrust into your never-failing care our beloved dead. Continue in us the work, begun at our Baptism, which fashions us into the blessed likeness of your dear Son. By your Holy Spirit, give us faith to commend ourselves, one another, and our whole lives to Christ our Lord. Bring us into your Kingdom where we shall see him face to face. There let us see his image, perfectly restored, in the faces of everyone whom you have redeemed by his blood.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
For Jesus’ sake, grant the fulfillment of all we ask that conforms to your holy will. Amen.
