“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in
the company of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the
Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.” (Psalm 111:1-2)

The complexity of all that is
around us and the wonder of creation are reflections of the Lord. He who made
all things demonstrates His goodness in all that He has made. Delight in what
the Lord has made and live in the promise of His grace and mercy. The faithful
delight in the works of the Lord and marvel at His creation. Great is the Lord
and greatly to be praised.

Lord, I become wrapped up in daily life and do not see things as they
are. Help me Lord to see the beauty that surrounds me each day. Guide me to be
one who looks through what is ugly to see what You have created. May my heart
be changed that I may live into the promise of hope that You give and know the
unchanging character of Your presence and purpose in all things.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, help
me now and always to see the truth You have revealed. The world gets wrapped up
in immediacy and everything is a crisis. Help me to know that Your salvation is
complete and that all things are in Your hands. Help me to trust what You have
done that in freedom I may live each day knowing Your goodness and mercy and
live for the Father’s glory. Amen.

“The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of
His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He
will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook
by the wayside; therefore He will lift up His head.” (Psalm 110:5-7)

What have you to fear? It is the
Lord who governs all history and times of repression will pass away as He
shatters the power of those who rule for only a short while. Come into the
presence of the Lord and know His unfailing love and mercy. Know that the Lord
shall accomplish all that He has purposed and nothing shall hinder what the
Lord will accomplish by His will.

Lord, I am often tossed about like a ship in a storm. Guide me to the
place where I know that no matter what storm comes upon my life, You have
promised to work it all for good according to Your will. Lead me in the faith,
hope and love that You give that I may grow according to Your will and fulfill
the purpose for which I have been created. You alone are God and all things are
in Your hands.

Help me moment by moment, Holy
Spirit, to know that You are there to guide me through whatever the day will
bring. Though ten thousand fall at my right side, keep me from being one who
fails to stand back up that in the end I may be found in You. Teach me wisdom
that I may grow in understanding and have the strength to stand firm. Lead me,
O Lord, and grant me a new and clean heart. Amen.

“Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy
array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. The Lord
has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to
the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:3-4)

The Lord has come and the faith
of His true followers is evident. They care for all people and serve in the
midst of them. They do not lord it over others, but join alongside, where work
needs to be done. You are invited to join in the work of the saints. The
blessing comes to those who hear the Word of the Lord and then act upon it. Come
then to the house of the Lord and be saved.

Lord, You have promised to prepare me through a life of faith to become
like Christ. You know all of the obstacles that stand in the way. Guide me, O
Lord, to see in You the only hope of glory, that I may now and forever live
into this life to which You have called me. Lift me up through Your grace and
mercy to become what You have created me to be, Your beloved child..

Lord Jesus, You have called me
through faith and enabled me by Your grace. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You
would have me go that I may grow into the person You are calling me to be. Remove
from me the resistance or laziness that would hinder my journey of faith that I
may grow according to Your will. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

1^st Sunday in Lent, Cycle C (March 10, 2019)

NOTE: This is a “bidding prayer,” with announcement of topics, time for silent personal prayer,

and a brief “collect” before the  “Lord, God, hear our prayer.” You may want to print out the prayer, or explain how it is to be done!

For the Church, the world, and our poor sinful selves, let us pray to our Lord, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

A brief silence

Let us pray for the Church throughout the world, that our Lord should purify, forgive, heal, unite, strengthen and guide it, and thereby bring many to the foot of his life-giving Cross.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on your Church, and bless it; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all who are persecuted on account of Jesus, that they may be strengthened in their trials by his strong Word; and for our {synod/district}; our partner congregations and dioceses in {names/places}; and all missionaries throughout the world, that this same strong Word should dwell in their hearts and be confessed by their lips.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on your servants, and bless them; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for this congregation, that God should keep us steadfast in faith, humble in service, diligent in worship, persistent in prayer, and loving in fellowship.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on this congregation, and bless it, for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for our children, that God would set his angels around them, to shield them from evil; deliver them from danger; and guide them in the way of eternal life.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on our children, and bless them; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

 Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for our broken world, that God should heal and transform it;  for our leaders, that he grant them wisdom, justice and compassion; and for all people, that he deliver us from evil, strengthen us in every good gift, and bestow his peace among us all.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on your world, its leaders, and its people, and bless them; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

 Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for all whose work is difficult and dangerous, that God would give them cool heads, wise words, and right actions; and that he would shield, support and strengthen those who fall and those who await their loved one’s return.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on these servants, and bless them; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the sick and injured; the abused and their abusers; the despairing and the confused; the homeless, imprisoned, abandoned and oppressed; the dying and the bereaved, and for all who cry out for mercy, including: {List}: That God would save them from their time of trial, deliver them from evil, and bestow upon them the promise of his eternal Kingdom.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on all who suffer, and bless them; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

Lord God, hear our prayer.

Let us with gratitude entrust our beloved dead into our Savior’s keeping; and let us pray for ourselves, that throughout the Lenten pilgrimage of our lives, Christ Jesus would give himself as bread for our journey; forgive us and make us eager to forgive each other; strengthen us in times of trial; deliver us from the power of the Evil One; and bring us safely to his Father’s house.

Silence for individual prayer; then:

                Holy Lord; holy and mighty; holy and immortal, have mercy on us, and bless us; for your glory and for the salvation of the whole world.

Lord God, hear our prayer.

Hear us, gracious Father, for the sake of your well-beloved Son, who intercedes for us before your throne of mercy.

Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Ash Wednesday, Cycle C (March 6, 2019)

Let us humbly beseech God for his mercy upon the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Have mercy on this world that you created in love, though it has turned away from you, most Holy Father. Have mercy on the people who sit in the darkness of sin and the shadow of death, and whom you came to save, most Holy Son. Have mercy on this fallen and broken creation that cries out in travail for its deliverance from futility and death, most Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy on your Church, O Lord. Cleanse it from false teaching, feigned holiness, and fake discipleship. Form it in the likeness of your dear Son, fill it with your Holy Spirit, and use it to draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy on your persecuted servants, O Lord. Cleanse them from bitterness, hatred, or thirst for revenge. Form them into the likeness of your dear Son, fill them with your Holy Spirit, and use them to lead the enemies of Christ to repentance and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy on this congregation, O Lord. Cleanse us from apathy, inattention, and contention. Form us into the likeness of your dear Son, fill us with your Holy Spirit, and use us to draw our families, friends, and communities to the foot of Jesus’ Cross.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy on all who doubt your existence or your goodness, O Lord. Cleanse them from spiritual darkness, intellectual pride, or emotional despair. Form them into the likeness of your dear Son, fill them with your Holy Spirit, and bless them with faith and trust in you, their Savior, Lord, and Friend.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon all who are entrusted with power and authority in this sin-shadowed world, O Lord. Cleanse them from cruelty, lust for power, and worship of self. Form them into the likeness of your dear Son, fill them with your Holy Spirit, and use them to bring your blessings of peace, prosperity, and concord to all people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy upon all who stand in harm’s way on behalf of others, O Lord. Cleanse them from wrong judgment or base motives in the execution of their duties. Form them into the likeness of your dear Son, fill them with your Holy Spirit, and use them to bring a measure of safety, justice, and freedom in places of chaos and danger.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy on all whose lives are shadowed by suffering, sorrow, or any kind of evil, O Lord. Cleanse them from all that troubles them and prevents them from turning to you, their Strength and their Redeemer. Form them into the likeness of your dear Son, fill them with your Holy Spirit, and restore them to wholeness and hope, in the company of all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy and gracious Father, we commend into your mercy all our beloved dead. We who are but ashes and dust humbly beseech you for your mercy upon us as well. Cleanse us from every sin which separates us from you and from one another. Form us into the likeness of your dear Son, fill us with your Holy Spirit, and use us to help lighten our neighbor’s burdens throughout our earthly pilgrimage. Lead us, with all whom you have redeemed by the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, into your Kingdom, where, untroubled by sin, evil, or death, we may rejoice in your goodness and gaze upon your glory forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For these things, and for whatever else is needful, dear Father, we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your
enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The Lord will stretch forth Your strong
scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” (Psalm 110:1-2)

The gentiles rule by lording it
over others. This is the way of the wicked. The Lord rules with love, mercy and
compassion. When the Lord rules it is not as the world rules. See the
difference and know that the Lord is lord over all. His strong scepter, the rod
of Jesse is that which was promised long ago and fulfilled with the reign of
Christ. Come sit with the Lord who invites you by His side.

Lord, You have spoken Your Word and it has come to pass as You have declared. Guide my heart and mind to see through the nonsense of this world to live into the hope of glory You give for those who believe. Let me not worry about kings and rulers, but about Your Kingdom which is forever. Guide me day by day to live according to the truth of Your declarations.

Lord Jesus, You are the King of kings and the fulfillment of the promise that the rod would not pass from Judah until peace came. You are the Prince of peace and in You is the everlasting hope. You have offered Yourself that I may abide in You. Teach me how to abide in You that I may learn from You and know the unsurpassable

“Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, and let them cover
themselves with their own shame as with a robe. With my mouth I will give
thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise Him. For
He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his
soul.” (Psalm 109:29-31)

How is the attitude you have
toward the things of the Lord? Is it constant questioning and pondering over
your own circumstances or does it come down to giving the Lord thanks for all
the goodness He has brought into your life? The Lord is good and greatly to be
praised. Know that the Lord will accomplish what He has purposed and that
nothing or no one can stand against Him.

Lord, in my day-to-day life, help me live knowing that all things are
in Your hands. Guide me in Your goodness to see in You the hope of glory. Lead
me according to Your will to do what is pleasing in Your sight that I may now
and forever abide in You and the promise You give by Your grace and mercy. Lead
me in the upward way to come into Your presence with thanksgiving that I may
now and forever abide in You as You abide in me.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us
that we are blessed in You. Lead me now and always to daily become more a
person of praise and thanksgiving. Help me to follow through with what You have
spoken that I may become more like You, learning to love my neighbor. In all
that happens, teach me to come to the place where I am thankful above all
things knowing that the Father’s will shall be done. Amen.

“Help me, O Lord my God; save me according to Your lovingkindness. And
let them know that this is Your hand; You, Lord, have done it. Let them curse,
but You bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but Your servant shall
be glad.” (Psalm 109:26-28)

The way of the Lord is not the
way of sinful humanity. We may become angry and desire retribution, but God is
the God of love. He is always good and He repays wickedness with kindness. Yes,
He does become angry, but does not act like the sinner, Come into the Lord’s
presence and know His goodness, for He shall accomplish all that He has
purposed.

Lord, I do not have the patience You have, yet I long for the day when
Your will shall come to pass. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of Your goodness that
Your presence in my life would fill me. Lift up my countenance to see in You
the hope of Your glory and the way in which You have always dealt with the
wicked. May I not give in to the way of this world but learn to react as You
would have me respond in every circumstance.

Lord Jesus, You know first-hand
the difficulty of this world. Teach me to be like You that I would reach out to
those around me, no matter how they act, with grace and mercy. Lead me in the
way I should go that I would go that way. Teach me to trust that in You alone
is the grace I need and that all shall come to pass as You have spoken it. Guide
me now and forever. Amen.

“But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake;
because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me; for I am afflicted and needy,
and my heart is wounded within me. I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens;
I am shaken off like the locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my flesh
has grown lean, without fatness. I also have become a reproach to them; when
they see me, they wag their head.” Psalm 109:21-25)

Lord, You know the troubles of
this world. You know how we feel, especially when we feel adversity. Your
presence is always there, but there are times when I feel You are distant and
removed. Yet You have promised that You are with us always, even unto the end
of the age. Let Your promises rule above every circumstance that all would know
the You are God and will fulfill Your Word.

Lord, You know when I have foolish doubts and do not believe in what
You have said. Help my unbelief that I would boldly walk each and every day in
the hope You give. You alone are mighty to save and Your Word shall be
fulfilled. Fill my heart with the truth You have spoken so that I will not
waver or fall in with those who speak wicked things. Lead me in the truth of
Your Word.

Lord Jesus, You walked this earth
and know the difficulty of being faithful amidst the troubles of this world. You
know the temptations that cause us to waver and doubt. Lead me, O Lord, in the
way of truth that I would walk now and forever in Your salvation. Let my heart
not be troubled, but believe that You are the way, truth, and life and that You
are preparing for all who believe a place that is forever. Amen.

‘Let it be to him as a garment with which he covers himself, and for a
belt with which he constantly girds himself. Let this be the reward of my
accusers from the Lord, and of those who speak evil against my soul.” (Psalm
109:19-20)

The Lord watches over those who
turn to Him. He will guard you in all of your ways if you trust in Him. Be not
conformed to the wickedness of this world but by the renewing of your mind in
the eternal truth of the One who made you. Come into His presence and walk with
Him all the days of your life and know the truth of His Word. He alone is able
to lead you through all this world will throw your way.

Lord, You know the travails I experience each day. You know the things
that get in the way of my living in You and for You. Help me now and always to
abide in You that in Your promise You will abide in me. Lead me by Your Spirit
to walk according to Your Word that I may know the goodness that comes by
living a life of faith. There is no hope aside from You Lord, so lead me in the
eternal hope You give.

Lord Jesus, You promised that if
I abide in You, You will abide in me. Abide in me all the moments of my day
that by Your leading I can walk humbly with You through this troubled world. Help
me now and always to see that only in You is there hope for every day. Regardless
of what befalls me this day, remind me of Your constant presence and the hope
of Your abiding in me forever. Amen.