Prayers of the Church, 5^th Sunday of Easter, Cycle A (May 10, 2020)

 

Let us pray to our risen Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Thank you, Jesus, for being the Way to your Father’s house, the Truth that sets us free, and the Life which raises us out of sin and death. We bless and adore you for being, above all, the Love that will never let us go. Give us grace to share your love with everyone we meet, especially those who have lost their way, strayed from the truth, and are haunted by death.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make the whole Church on earth into your house of living stones: holy, precious, your prized possession and beloved Body. Cause its words and deeds to proclaim the excellence of your salvation. Use it to call many people out of darkness into your marvelous light.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Like Stephen, there are many even today who are persecuted and tortured for proclaiming you as Lord. Give them the grace and strength that you gave Stephen: to fearlessly speak your truth in love; to forgive and pray for their enemies; and to remain faithful to the end.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, we want to be your disciples, but are dismayed at the prospect of ridicule, rejection, or persecution. Give us grace to be like Stephen, always praying for others to repent and believe in you. Let us always build up faith in you alone, our Head and Cornerstone.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We thank you for calling to your service everyone in this congregation who supports the ministry of Word and Sacrament through their faithful work. Fill them with your Holy Spirit; prosper all they do to further the proclamation of the Gospel and the care of your people; and give them joy in serving you and your people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You care tenderly for your people, especially the littlest who are laid in your arms. We therefore ask your blessing upon mothers, foster mothers, and all 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, please hear our prayer.

Remind the rulers of the nations that you alone are King of the nations. Humble them. Teach them to use the authority and power you give them: to care for the poor and needy, the widows and orphans, the imprisoned and oppressed, the hungry, blind, and homeless. Make us all beautiful with your righteousness and compassion; and frustrate the way of the wicked.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Guide, protect, and strengthen all who defend life and liberty here and abroad. Prosper all their works that make for safety and justice. When they are wounded, bring healing, hope, and peace to them and to their loved ones. When their task is done, bring them home in honor, and help us to benefit from their knowledge, skills and experience.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless, heal, comfort and sustain everyone who cries out to you for help – especially: {List}. With the Psalmist, cause them to say, “Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help; whose hope is in the LORD their God; who keeps his promise forever.”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

Lord Jesus, we hear your promise at funerals: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  Therefore we entrust into your keeping our beloved dead. Give us grace to believe your promise; to grow in holiness; and to encourage, correct, serve and support one another throughout our earthly life. Be for us, and for all whom you love, the Way to your Father’s house; the Truth which sets us free from bondage to sin, evil and death; and the Life which eternally transforms us into your likeness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

 

We praise and magnify you, dear Jesus. Accept our prayers and lay them at the feet of your Father, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns gloriously as our Lord and our God, now and forever. Amen.

“Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part”(1 Corinthians 13:8-9).

The Apostle John wrote that God is love. To never fail means infallible.  God is both. We should understand that the ability to never fail and perfectly love is something only God can do. This is who He is, what He does, and what He offers to us. We only know partially, but He will give to us the ability in spite of our inability. Come then into the One who loves perfectly and abide in Him.

Lord, help me see that my abilities are limited and only unlimited in You. Guide me according to Your goodness to see that You will lead me in the way of love doing what needs to be done and as it needs doing. Help me to not rely upon myself, but to see that You are the One who will lift me up. May my eyes see ever more clearly as I live this life You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You are love incarnate. You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of life that I would abide in You and with You, as the One who is my salvation. May I now and always look to You as the One who will teach me all things.  May I faithfully receive any action, gift, or direction You may give to accomplish all that the Father desires. Amen.