THE PRAYERS, 

Holy Trinity, Cycle B (May 27, 2018)

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Gracious Father, bless and preserve your holy Church, purchased with the blood of your dear Son and sanctified with the fire of your Spirit. Keep it steadfast in faith; sound in doctrine; loving in service; generous in giving; ardent in worship; and holy in living. In all things, make it a lamp filled with the light of your presence, welcoming and guiding many to salvation in your holy Name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be the shelter, strength, and inheritance of all who are hated because of your holy Name. Give them courage, graciousness, and hope; and soften the hearts of their enemies. Visit with your light and salvation our sister synods and companion congregations; and prosper the work of your missionaries throughout the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Kindle the hearts and minds of the people of this congregation with your Spirit. Unite us to your Son, and use us to proclaim the gospel in words and deeds to all those we meet.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This weekend in particular, we remember our beloved dead, especially those who have given their lives for their country. Keep them ever in your care; and hasten the day when sin, warfare, and death shall be no more, and your eternal peace reigns undisturbed in every heart.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There is no other God beside you, who are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Give your incomparable gifts of faith, wisdom, and righteousness to all people, especially to those who take counsel for the nations. Conform the hearts of all people to your will, and grant us grace to participate in your loving communion.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

With your mighty hand and outstretched arm, protect, guide and defend all those who stand in harm’s way on behalf of others. Use them to establish safety and order in places of danger and chaos; and bring them home safely and soon.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Dearest Father, gather in your Son’s embrace all who suffer in body, mind or spirit, especially: {List}. Visit them with your salvation; and support them, and all who love, care, and pray for them, with your healing and holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, we praise and adore you for welcoming into your eternal communion of life and love all who died trusting in you. Keep our hearts firmly fixed on you, the Lord and Giver of life, the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator, Savior, and Renewer of the world. Bring us, with the whole company of the redeemed of every time and place, every nation, tribe and tongue, into the joy of your presence, where we shall behold you face to face and adore you as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Lord and our God.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we are bold to ask these things in Jesus’ name. Whatever is in accordance with your will, grant us for your dear Son’s sake. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

Day of Pentecost, Cycle B (May 20, 2018) 

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray for the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the Church. Fill it with boldness in witnessing to Jesus’ strong saving love. Fill it with faithfulness in proclaiming his Word and celebrating his Sacraments. Fill it with zeal for ministering to all people in his name – especially to the least of those whom he calls sisters and brothers.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the faith of your persecuted Church. Give it grace to endure suffering for Jesus’ sake; and grant that its faithful witness may cause many to turn to Christ and live. Kindle the faith and inspire the proclamation of all missionaries of the Gospel, and of our sister congregations and synods.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the people and the ministry of this congregation. Fill us with joyfulness in worship; eagerness in service; gentleness in fellowship; generosity in giving; and persistence in faithful witness in Jesus’ name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and stir up the faith in all who are confirmed today. Be for them the true Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, and joy in his presence.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Fill the minds of worldly leaders with wisdom in guiding the nations towards peace and justice. Fill their hearts with humility as they wield power and authority. Fill the spirits of the world’s citizens with love for God, neighbor, and the world around them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and bring peace in all places of danger, violence and strife. Fill the minds and direct the actions of all who take up arms in defense of life and liberty. Strengthen and protect them; bless all they do that works for peace and justice; and bring them safely home when their task is done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and bring joy, peace, and healing to all whose need is great, especially: {List}. Fill them with the comfort of your presence and lead them into the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Spirit, and cheer the hearts of all who grieve the loss of loved ones. Fill them, and all of us, all with steadfast faith in you, the Lord and Giver of life; in the communion of saints in heaven and on earth; in the forgiveness of sins, in the resurrection of the body; and in the life everlasting.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant us, dear Lord, all that is in accordance with your will, to your glory, and for the building up of your people. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (May 13, 2018)

(May also be used for the Ascension of Our Lord)

Let us pray in the name of our risen and ascended Savior for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their needs.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, your Church worships and blesses you for the triumph of your Son over the powers of sin, evil and death. We praise you for his ascension to your right hand; and we pray that you would give your Church steadfastness, joy, and boldness to proclaim his rule to all the world, until he comes in glory.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Ease the suffering of all who are persecuted for naming Jesus as Lord; and give gentleness to their words and peace in their hearts. Bring to repentance and humble faith all who torment them. We also ask your gracious favor upon all missionaries of the Gospel, and upon our sister congregations and synods.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This congregation thanks and praises you for the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ our Savior. Grant us grace to live in accordance with his commands; to proclaim his Lordship over the world; and to share his forgiveness and grace with those who need them most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You care tenderly for your people, especially the littlest who are laid in your arms. We therefore ask your blessing upon all mothers and those who act with a mother’s love. Give them your own patience, steadfastness, tenderness and wisdom. Share your deep gentleness and strong love as they care for their children.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son has ascended on high, and rules as king of all nations. Grant wisdom, humility, and fairness to the leaders of the earth; and teach all people to live together in peace and unity, until the day Christ comes to judge the living and the dead. Bless this nation with peace, honor, and goodness; and conform it to your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift before you the sacrifices made by all who risk their lives on behalf of others, especially those who have been wounded; we thank you for those who gave their lives in defense of their country; and we ask your blessing and protection upon all who currently. Bless them, their loved ones, and those whose lives they protect and defend.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift before you the needs of all whose lives are shadowed by suffering or sorrow— especially: {List}. Grant to them the abundant life promised by Jesus; fill them with the grace and comfort of your Holy Spirit; and bless those who care for them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, as Christ has ascended to heaven to reign in glory forever, we await the coming of that day when we, too, shall live with you and with all of your people in joy and glory everlasting. We entrust into your care those who have died trusting your promised inheritance. Keep us in union with them, with all of your saints, and with you, in the power of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Christ our Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear and graciously answer our prayers in accordance with your will, dear Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart! But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped.” (Psalm 73:1-2)

God is good to all people everywhere, for He causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. His goodness sustains all things. But there are times when we are sorely tempted and stumble. Here, we see the mercy and goodness of the Lord, for He has provided grace that we might be lifted up and set upon our way. Taste and see that the Lord is good and come to Him in every time of need.

Lord, I do stumble, and sometimes I am carried away by my own sin. I fall. Lift my eyes to look up to You knowing that You are an ever-present support and help. Guide me to see the obstacles before me that I would not fall. Help me now and always to know that You are there always, and that if I look to You, You will keep me from going into the pit. Lead me, O Lord, in Your ways.

Lord Jesus, You have come to rescue those who fall. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may not stumble or fall. Fill my heart with praises and thanksgiving that my heart meditates upon the way of the Father to avoid those places where I might be ensnared. Lead me, O Lord, and I will walk with You as You walk with me now and always. Amen.