Prayers of the Church, 5th Sunday in Lent (March 29, 2020)
Let us lift our hearts and voices to the Lord in prayer, that he would be merciful to his people.
A brief silence
Blessed Lord, we live in a valley of deathly shadows. Thank you for Jesus, who calls us by name from our tombs. Help us to firmly believe that his is our Resurrection and our Life.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Send your Holy Spirit to breathe new life into your Church. Raise it up to be the living body of your dear Son in the world. Purify and bless it, so that through Word and Sacrament, and by deeds of mercy and forgiveness, it may share your life and grace with all who are held captive to sin, evil and death.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
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Breathe your Holy Spirit upon your persecuted servants throughout the world. Revive their faith and knit them into an undying fellowship with Jesus and with one another. By their courageous witness and their patient suffering, glorify your Name and turn many hearts to repentant faith.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
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Breathe your creative Spirit into all missionaries of the Gospel, and into everyone joins Jesus on his mission. By their faithful preaching and acts of charity, grant life and salvation to those who walk in the valley of the shadow of death.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
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Breathe your gracious Spirit into this congregation, so that our worship, words, deliberations and deeds abound with the fruits of that Spirit. Fill us with the life of Jesus, and give us the will and the strength to share his life with everyone we meet.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your life-giving Spirit upon all to whom death draws near. Grant them serenity, faith, and reconciliation with you and their loved ones. Especially we plead on behalf of those who die alone, abandoned, unloved or unnoticed. Bless them with the mercy and grace promised by your Son to any who will receive him. And give a double portion of your Spirit to hospice workers and to all who care for the dying.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
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Breathe your Holy Spirit into all who lead the nations, especially our own. Fill them with wisdom and understanding; counsel and might; knowledge and fear of you, their Lord; and joy in doing your will. Help them work for the welfare of their people. Breathe your gracious Spirit into every heart, so that hatred, violence, cruelty and war ceases throughout the world.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
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Breathe your Spirit into all who risk their lives to defend liberty and protect others. Keep them faithful, true and bold. Shield and direct them in perilous situations; raise and heal them when they fall; and deliver them into a place of safety when their task has ended.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Breathe your Spirit of life and grace into all who all who are afflicted by sickness, sorrow or adversity – especially: {List}. As Jesus raised up Lazarus from death, we beseech you, raise up these dear ones from the power of sin, evil and death; and restore them to their loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Most holy and gracious Father, we thank you that you have called your faithful servants by name, out of death and into life in Christ. Breathe your Holy and life-giving Spirit into us, for we are still troubled by the powers of death, sin, and the devil. Give us the grace to comfort one another in times of sorrow, and to encourage and help each other along life’s road. Grant us faith to confess your Son as the Resurrection and the Life, the Christ, the One who has come into the world to bring eternal life to everyone who believes in him.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
