PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Cycle C: Transfiguration of Our Lord, March 3,
2019

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

Father, today we kneel in awe and adoration before the
divine majesty your Son revealed at his Transfiguration. But sometimes, our
devotion grows cold, our prayers and worship become perfunctory, or our
attitude toward Jesus becomes “he’s my best buddy, he’s there for me if I need him.” Enlighten our mind to
always catch a glimpse of his glorious presence. And kindle our hearts and
spirits to worship and obey him with holy fear, deep joy, and fervent love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God beyond
all praising, we worship you and adore your glory, revealed in the
transfiguration of your beloved Son. Grant that your Church may obediently
listen to his word; hold fast to him in its heavenly calling; preach him alone
as the way of salvation; and thus proclaim to the whole world his blessings
without number and his mercy without end.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to
your persecuted people a firm confidence in the hope that has been established
through the steadfast obedience of Christ their Lord. Give them grace to triumph
through their sufferings and rise to serve you even in the presence of those
who trouble them.  Bless, we beseech you,
all missionaries of the Gospel; our sister congregations and dioceses; and {our
larger church body}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let the
radiance of our Beautiful Savior fill the hearts and sanctify the ministries of
this congregation. Make our worship into a joyful duty, and our service into a
sacrifice of praise. Use us to lead others to Jesus, that with us, they may worship,
honor, bless and adore him.

Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have appointed your Son as King of
creation and Lord of the nations. Teach our leaders to praise your name; to
love justice and righteousness; and to seek those things that make for peace.
Come to the help of those whose lives are troubled by sorrow and hardship; and
draw all people into the glorious and gentle rule of Christ their Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear
our prayer.

We lift our hearts to you on behalf of all
whose lives are clouded by any sort of affliction or sorrow, including: {List}.
Let the light of Jesus’ countenance heal and cheer them. Let all who care for
them do so with tenderness and compassion; and grant that together we may
praise you for your unending mercies.

Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, our Beautiful Savior, those who
have died trusting in your promises now see you face to face. We thank you for
bestowing this blessing upon them, especially {List}. Continue, we pray, to
show to us your amazing love; and though we are your unworthy servants, bless
us with those good gifts that will sustain us and others in this life. Bring
us, in your good time, into that endless life and light you share with all whom
you have redeemed; and give us voices there to sing unceasingly, “Glory and
honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be thine!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all these things, dear Father, and for
whatever else you will for us in your wisdom and compassion, we pray in the
name of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and King. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Cycle C: 7^th Sunday after Epiphany,
Proper 6, February 24, 2019

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

Loving Father, forgiveness is the hardest thing we must ever
do – but refusing to forgive is ultimately worse. Thank you for that great,
hard gift of forgiveness that you have bestowed upon us in Jesus. Cause the
power of that gift to work deep within us. And though it be hard, teach us how
to forgive – and to ask another for it – so that we may be restored to you, and
to those who are separated from us by their sins or our own.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your
Church unflinching in exposing sin, humble in confessing it, and unceasing in
forgiving all who repent of it. Let it never re-brand sin as virtue, but let it
never scorn or reject those who stumble. Make it wise and faithful in
instruction, exhortation, and counsel, and make it gracious and tender in restoring
and healing all who seek to turn from their sin and toward you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless all
counselors and pastors, and others who work to repair relationships and restore
community. Help them to listen deeply and speak wisely; to seek your will for
the people in their care; and to model your love in the way they serve others.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Embrace the
people of this congregation with your holy and forgiving love. Make us eager to
seek out those estranged from us, and patient in the work of reconciliation. Let
all we say and do shine with love for Jesus, and with Jesus’ love for everyone
we meet.

Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give rulers of nations, and all in
positions of authority, a love for justice tempered with mercy. Remind us all
that revenge may destroy both parties; that “strict justice” can divide rather
than build up communities, and that mercy and forgiveness, though difficult,
can bring healing and reconciliation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear
our prayer.

Restore the faith and the health of all
who are burdened by suffering of body, mind, or spirit – especially {List}. Give
them the joy of your saving help; and restore them to fellowship with all who
love them.

Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we commend our beloved
dead into your care, trusting your promise of mercy. Keep us, we pray, in your
care as well! Help us to seek and to bring your mercy to the lost, the broken,
the estranged, and the despairing. Sustain us with your never-failing grace, so
won for us by the death and resurrection of your dear Son and lavished upon us
by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit. Reconcile us, through Christ, to you and
to each other, until we are welcomed into your eternal Kingdom and reunited
with all your people, there to praise your goodness forever and ever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all these things, dear Father, and for
whatever else you will for us in your wisdom and compassion, we pray in the
name of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, and King. Amen.

“Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were subdued under their power. Many times He would deliver them; they, however, were rebellious in their counsel, and so sank down in their iniquity.” (Psalm 106:42-43)

Throughout history, there are those who will listen to the way of the world and so fall under its spell. The Lord allows us to each go the way we choose, not knowing whence we go. Do not be deceived, the way of the Lord is eternal and brings life. Every other way is the way of death and destruction. Choose by the grace He grants, not to go down to the pit, but up into the salvation of the Lord.

Lord, help me to see where the world is tugging at me and calling me down into itself. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life which you have made sure by grace through faith. Help me to see clearly the paths that are before me that I may walk now and forever in Your way of truth. Lead me, O Lord, today and each day that I may not sink down into the pit of iniquity in which the world wallows.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save all those who believe. Guide me today, O Lord, in that way of salvation which You have prepared for all of those who believe in You. Help me by granting discernment that I may not go down into the pit, but be lifted up with You to be with You now and forever. May all that I do bring praise and glory to the Father by Your grace which sustains me in this age. Amen.