Prayers of the Church, February 2, 2025, Cycle C: Presentation of Our Lord
1 Samuel 1: 21-28: (Boy Samuel promised, dedicated to God in temple)
Psalm 84: (How lovely is your dwelling, how precious to serve in your Temple!)
Hebrews 2:14-18: (Jesus shares our humanity; frees us from slavery to sin, fear of death; is our merciful high priest, tempted yet sinless)
Luke 2:22-40: (Revisit Simeon and Anna in the Temple!)
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Note: Yes, you did this Gospel a few weeks ago. I’ve added some other hymns, but yes, you might want to sing some of the “Presentation-y” hymns again!!
Opening Hymn: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds: LBW #345, ELW #620, LSB #524
OR Let All Together Praise Our God: LBW #47, v. 1-4; ELW #287, v. 1-4; LSB #389, v. 1-4
Hymn of the Day: Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens: LSB #589
OR Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: LBW#30, ELW #254, LSB#338
Communion Hymn #1: Son of God, Eternal Savior: LBW #364, ELW #655, LSB #842
Communion Hymn #2: Go, My Children, With My Blessing: WOV #721, ELW #543, LSB #922
Closing Hymn: Let All Together Praise Our God: LBW #47, v. 5-7; ELW #287, v. 5-6; LSB #389, v. 5-7
OR O Lord, Now Let Your Servant: LBW #339, ELW #313
OR my paraphrase of the Nunc Dimittus, “Lord, Let Your Servant Go in Peace.”
Use tune for the Doxology
Lord, let your servant go in peace; your faithful Word you have fulfilled.
This Word made flesh I now embrace: the sure salvation you have willed.
With my own eyes I see the lamp of glory given to Israel,
The Light to nations lost, the peace that makes your wounded people well.
Glory and praise, blest Trinity, dear Father, Holy Spirit, Son!
Your light no darkness overtakes while endless ages ever run.
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Let us draw near to the Light of Christ, offering prayer and supplication on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence
Heavenly Father, thank you for making Jesus the Yes to all your promises. Thank you for fulfilling your promises in him! Thank you for the patient faith of Simeon and Anna, and the obedient faith of Joseph and Mary. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, so we hope, believe, and obey as they did.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In your Church, you have appointed prophets, martyrs, pastors, bishops, teachers, and ordinary saints to speak your word and to lead all people to new life in Christ. Empower your Church to speak your word boldly, acts fearlessly, and mirror your love, revealed to the world in your beloved Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Hear the prayers of your suffering Church. Rescue your servants from the hand of the wicked and from the grasp of the unjust and the cruel. Fulfil your promise to be their light, salvation, and glory. Fill their mouth with your praise, and drive out the demons of hatred and unbelief from their persecutors.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Let this congregation overflow with words of praise to you, and deeds of love toward others. Give us patience in suffering, hope in times of spiritual waiting, and obedience to your commands to love you and serve others in your name.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the leaders of the nations, especially our own. Let them heed your words and seek to do your will. Teach them to love justice and hate cruelty. Make them rejoice in truth and reject wrong. Help them wield authority, knowing that they are accountable to you, the Lord of all nations. Give us ears to hear the cries of those afflicted by poverty, injustice, or violence. Give us strength to help them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You sent your Son to deliver your people from bondage to sin and suffering In his name, we pray for all in any kind of tribulation, including: {List}. Be their rock, their strong deliverer, and their hope. Strengthen all who care for them. Grant them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
We commend into your care our loved ones who have died and are at rest in you. Comfort those whose grief runs deep. Help us to be gentle, patient, and kind to one another. Give us strength to endure whatever afflicts us in this mortal life. Lead us, with all whom you have redeemed by your Son, into your Kingdom. There let our faith become sight, our hope become joy, and your love become our all in all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all these things, dear Father, and for whatever else you desire for us in your wisdom and compassion, we pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and King. Amen.
