THE PRAYERS

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Lord, clothe your Church with the joy of your salvation; cover it with the righteousness of Christ; and adorn it with the jewels of your Word and Sacraments, so that through it, the poor may hear the Good News, the sorrowful may be comforted, and those held captive to sin and death may experience the wonderful freedom of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Restore the fortunes of Christians who are persecuted for confessing Jesus as Savior and Lord. Turn their weeping into rejoicing; and cause those who hate them to repent and believe in the Good News.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Bless and guide the people of this congregation. Give us faithful hearts; ears attentive to your Word; eyes which see the needs of others; hands skilled in building up the body of Christ; and tongues swift to pray, forgive, and encourage. Look with favor upon our sister congregations, and upon your missionaries around the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless our elementary school children with faith and joy as they look to Christmas as the coming of the greatest gift, your Son Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Anoint the rulers of the world with your Spirit, so that, like you, they love justice and hate evil. Use them to repair lives and cities ruined by bloodshed and cruelty. Direct their words and their works in your truth; establish your peace among the nations. Transform us all, so we may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord: bearing much fruit to your glory, and for the building up of your people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Until your great and acceptable day has dawned, good people must risk their lives for the sake of justice, liberty, and safety. Shield, strengthen and direct them. Help them to serve with competence and integrity. Keep them from harm; heal and raise them when they falter. Give them a joyful reunion with their loved ones when their task is done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant your healing to the brokenhearted and to all who suffer in body, mind or spirit, especially {LIST}. Give them beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning; and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Strengthen all who care for them; and give them, and all of us, your everlasting joy.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, we entrust to your care all who have died trusting your promises. We thank you for their lives; and we thank you for making them—and us—your servants: a royal priesthood and holy nation, your children and portion whom you have blessed. Bring us into the beauty of holy Zion, where with all the redeemed, we shall be adorned as a bride for our heavenly Bridegroom, the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the whole world, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, prepare your Church for the coming of your Son. From valleys of lukewarm worship and half-hearted service, raise it to heights of praise and compassion. Level mountains of false teaching and self-importance; and lead it along level pathways of faithfulness and humility, so that many may journey to your Kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be merciful to our persecuted brothers and sisters who proclaim the name of Jesus even amidst their enemies. Make their witness to shine as a light in the world’s darkest places. And pierce the hearts of their tormentors with the truth of the Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Prepare the people of this congregation for the coming of our Savior. Help us to exalt the humble; to bring low the mountains of self-will in our lives; and to make level pathways for leading others to Jesus. Look with favor upon our sister congregations, and upon and your missionaries around the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Prepare the hearts of our children for the coming of their dear Savior. Protect and bless them; and help us teach them to love Jesus and to trust him always.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Prepare the world for the coming of its King. Grant wisdom to our leaders, to raise their people from depths of poverty and despair. Level the mountains of injustice and arrogance throughout the world. We earnestly pray that nation would no longer raise sword against nation; and we beseech you to guide all people in the pathways of your righteousness and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Prepare the hearts of first responders and military personnel for the coming of the King of Peace. Raise up every deed which brings safety to dangerous places. Level mountains of suspicion and misunderstanding; and lead those we pray for along level pathways to their homes and loved ones.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Prepare the hearts of those who suffer for the coming of Christ, the Great Physician. We lift before you the needs of: {LIST}. Raise them up from sickness and sorrow; lay low the mountains of pain; and by your Son’s gentle hand, lead them and their loved ones along level pathways into health and hope.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy God, we thank you for keeping in your tender care all who have died trusting in your promises, especially: {LIST}. Prepare our hearts for the near approach of our Savior, who raises us up from death’s dark valley; who brings down the mountains of your wrath at our sins; and who leads us along level roads of faith, hope, and love into your welcoming and eternal embrace.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us come before the Lord with true hearts, trusting that he will hear and answer our prayers on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Anoint your Church with your Holy Spirit. Make it radiant with holiness, lovely with compassion, and bright with faithfulness. Fill it with hope as it awaits the coming of your Son in power and great glory.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Come with healing and gladness for your suffering disciples; and make their words and deeds shine with your goodness and your glory. Give the grace of repentance to their tormentors; and draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Anoint this congregation with your Holy Spirit, and make us generous in sharing the grace you have bestowed on us in your Son. Use us to lift up the heads and hearts of our neighbors and those in need, so that with us, they eagerly the day of his return as victorious Lord of all. Look with favor upon our sister congregations, and upon your missionaries around the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Give wisdom and prudence to those who lead the nations. Make them good stewards of the authority granted them. Bless our nation with peace, prosperity, and justice in these difficult and uncertain times; and teach us all to care for one another until your son comes as our great Lord of might.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Give courage, honor, and strength to those who serve our country, here and abroad. Grant healing to those who have been wounded; patience and hope to their loved ones; and a swift, safe homecoming to them all.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Kindle hope within the hearts of all who suffer – especially {List}. Bring them comfort and healing; give their caretakers patience and compassion; and to those who are despairing, imprisoned, abandoned, and dying, bestow the presence of your Son, the Dayspring who puts death’s shadows to flight.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. We remember before you all those to whom you have given victory over the grave. Anoint us with your Spirit, disperse the clouds of gloom and grief that overshadow us; and lead us to our heavenly home, opened to us by the Key of David, your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers according to the love you bear for your people through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.