Prayers of the Church, Feast of the Holy Cross (Transferred) – September 13, 2020

Let us approach the throne of grace on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

When we survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died, our richest gains we count as loss, and pour contempt on all our pride. Forbid it, Lord, that we should boast, save in the death of Christ our God. All the vain things that charm us most, we sacrifice them to his blood.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Father, conform your Church to the Cross of your Son, lifted up for the sake of the world. Through its preaching, teaching, and acts of charity, draw all people to him.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform your persecuted people into the Cross of your Son, a stumbling block to your enemies, but healing and comfort to all who repent of their evil ways.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform the people of this congregation into the Cross of your Son, so that all we do and say leads people to him.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform all seminarians, theologians, missionaries and ministers to the Cross of your Son. Grant that they preach Christ alone, and him crucified and risen, for the forgiveness of sin unto life everlasting.

Conform all Christian hospitals and hospices, social and relief agencies, chaplaincies, and other ministries of charity and healing, to the Cross of your Son. May all whom they serve look to him for the fulness of healing and abundance of life.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform our earthly leaders – in government, industry, research, education, public health and safety, and the military – to the Cross of your Son. Teach them to prefer nothing above accomplishing your will for the good of the people entrusted to their care.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform everyone seeking to be Jesus’ disciples to the Cross of your Son. Help them to rightly and wisely share your Son’s costly grace, even with people who are obnoxious, obstinate, or oblivious.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit to the Cross of your Son. Especially we plead on behalf of: {List}. Heal all their infirmities; and crown them with your mercy and loving-kindness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, you show goodness and mercy toward those who die trusting in you. Thank you for redeeming their lives by the Holy Cross of Jesus. Lead us with his life-giving Cross; take away our sin; and teach us to forgive one another. Grant that whether we live or die, we know that we are yours. Raise us to that perfect and glorious life which you bestow upon all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform our prayers to the heart of Jesus, hear them through the interceding of your Holy Spirit, and grant them in accordance with your gracious will. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 15^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19 – September 13, 2020

Let us approach the throne of grace on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

We are your debtors in so many ways, heavenly Father! We sometimes forget how even our trifling sins can, if unrepented and unforgiven, run up a soul-crushing “tab.” Thank you for being so willing to cancel our debt. Keep us ever mindful of the costly generosity of your beloved Son. Give us his grace and strength, to willingly forgive the debts of those who have wronged us.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Teach your Church how to be a school for forgiveness and an outpost of your “Mercy Hospital.” Give it leaders who explain and practice forgiving. Make its worship an encounter with your forgiveness. Equip its members to pray for and share the forgiveness you give through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

How difficult it must be for your people to forgive when they are being tortured simply for believing in Jesus, who prayed for his enemies even from the Cross! Give them a double portion of his Spirit, so that they may bless and not curse; forgive and not revile. Let persecutors repent from their evil and ask forgiveness from those they have wronged.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make the people of this congregation rich in mercy, abounding in kindness, tireless in good works, and joyful in praising you, the source of all mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless our schools, colleges, seminaries, and home schools as they embark on a strange and difficult journey this fall. We don’t know how COVID will affect students, teachers, and families. We do know that children need to be in school, but we want them to be safe. Guide and protect us all, and help us to make prudent decisions, even though sometimes we will make mistakes.

We pray for all who are crushed beneath a load of debt. They can do foolish or dangerous things to seek relief. Help them to ask for help, forgiveness, and a wise solution. Help those to whom they are indebted to move beyond anger and self-interest, into the uncharted yet blessed waters of mercy. Remind them how indebted they are to you, for you forgive their debts of sin.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Be merciful to this poor broken world. Help our leaders to rule with justice tempered with mercy and compassion. Bestow on all of us a spirit of patience, forbearance, humility, and kindness. Teach us to outdo one another in showing mercy and righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for everyone seeking to be Jesus’ disciples, especially as he teaches them the hard path of forgiveness and self-sacrifice. Fill them with your Spirit. Help them to rightly and wisely share your Son’s costly grace, even with people who are obnoxious, obstinate, or oblivious.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Renew the life and health of all who are afflicted in any way by the powers of sin, evil, sickness, or death. Especially we plead on behalf of: {List}. Heal all their infirmities, dear Lord; and crown them with your mercy and loving-kindness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, you show goodness and mercy toward those who die trusting in you. Thank you for redeeming their lives from the grave. Make your ways known also to us; renew our strength; and take away our sin. Lead us in the pathways of your loving-kindness, and teach us to forgive rather than to pass judgment upon one another. Grant that whether we live or die, we know that we are yours. Raise us to that perfect and glorious life which you bestow upon all whom you have redeemed.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform our prayers to the heart of Jesus, hear them through the interceding of your Holy Spirit, and grant them in accordance with your gracious will. Amen.

“His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.  I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 7:15-16).

Do you know the working of the LORD in your life?  Can you look back and see where He is making you into the image of Christ?  Do you spend time learning and understanding His Word?  These are legitimate questions, for they speak of what the Lord does in those who fear Him.  He will conform you to the image of Christ.  Cooperate and be conformed to the One who saves you.

Lord, I often think of faith as a bunch of do’s and don’t’s.  Help me see that what You have given me is a new life.  A new life that is evermore becoming like Christ.  Lead me along this upward call that I would day by day be conformed to Christ’s image and day by day become what You have always intended.  You know what I need, for You must save, so help me not hinder myself in this journey.

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and the model to which I will be conformed.  Lord, let nothing get in the way of You doing all that needs to be done, least of all, me.  Guide me today according to Your goodness that I would be a little more conformed to what You are creating in me.  Help me have the right attitude and priorities and be guided by Your Spirit that I would learn how to be faithful.  Amen.

“And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth” (2 Corinthians 7:13b-14).

The Lord provides those who will continue the ministry of His presence to lead and guide.  Many in our day believe they can do it alone.  Does not our faith teach us that it begins with the need for a Savior?  We need God’s help and we need each other.  Do not be led astray by pride, but come into the Lord’s presence and go where He sends you.  We all have needs and only the Lord can and will provide for them what is necessary.

Lord, teach me that I am dependant upon You and all that You provide.  Show me that I need others and that they need me.  You have created us for a community that loves one another.  Lead me in the upward calling that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy and not by the ever-changing winds of this world.  You have given the words of eternal life.  Help me to live into Thy will.

Lord Jesus, You have commanded us to obey all that You have commanded.  Guide me, O Lord, to learn this obedience.  Help me to see where I am not doing as You direct that I may truly be guided by You.  Through all things, lead me into the way of life that You know I need to live.  Help me through all of the obstacles that will come my way that I may learn faithfulness from You.  Amen.

“So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.  For this reason we have been comforted” (2 Corinthians 7:12-13).

Sometimes we allow our lives to be directed by what happens to others.  Ultimately, the One offended is the Lord Himself, for when we sin against our neighbor, we sin against Him.  A point that may be helpful for us to begin is the point of realizing when we are influenced by what we think a principle, that it is not necessarily our reality.  Live in the moment the Lord gives you.

Lord, I do care about what happens to those around me.  You have commanded that I love my neighbor, but I can do nothing about another’s circumstance.  Help me to live in my own circumstances and deal with what is mine to deal with.  Lead me in the way of life that I may live into this life You have given me.  Teach me what godly living really means and then help me to practice this new life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save all those who come to You.  You know what I need and where I fall short.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would learn from You not only how to live, but the right attitudes to have while living.  Keep my eyes upon You that I may be guided by You and not my feelings, attitudes, or what I perceive to be goodness.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Amen.

“For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Is it not true that many times you grow more when you go through tough times than when things are fine?  The Lord has promised that there is a purpose for everything.  Come then and rejoice that the Lord has given you a good gift in leading you into salvation.  Not that it is easy, but the Lord will strengthen you through whatever may come.  Live in His purpose and rejoice in His good gifts.

Thank God that He will not settle until He makes you to be like Christ.  Whatever it takes, the Lord will do.  This is good and fitting.  He is the One who made us, yet we often fight against Him, wanting what we want.  Trust in the Lord always and know that His goodness is forever.  He will make of you what He has always intended.  When you and I accept this, then it become easier; for His burden is light.

Lord Jesus, You demonstrated how hard it is to live in this age.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may see the truth that You are always with me.  Lead me in truth that I may trust Your leading no matter what may come.  You are the author and finisher of my faith and You know what I need.  Show me this day, whether an easy or hard day, that I may walk with You always, knowing You are with me.  Amen

“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Do you see that the Lord is conforming you to the image of Christ?  He loves you enough to stop at nothing to produce in you one who loves Him wholly and fully.  We may not see yet the outcome, but He does.  Life is in His hands and no matter what comes, the author of your life and faith is leading you in love that You may trust Him above all things, circumstances, and times.

Lord, it is often difficult living this life of faith when things do not go as I imagine they should.  Lead me, O Lord, that through all times of sorrow I may see that You also weep at the sin in this world.  Help me to look above and not be held back by the untruth of this age.  Guide me into repentance of those things which I think should be mine, but are really Yours.

Lord Jesus, You underwent a baptism of repentance for us all, repenting perfectly where we cannot.  You led the godly life for us who are unable that we might have the opportunity to become as You are, a child of God.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of salvation that I may walk humbly with You through every sorrow in the struggles of my heart that Your heart may take its place.  Amen.

“For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it – for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while – I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us” (2 Corinthians 7:8-9).

Sorrow sometimes seems like something evil in our time.  Is not sorrow lament?  Is not much of lament what we want rather than accepting what is?  Does not the Lord, who knows all things, have you in His plan?  Do you see how we struggle not so much with what we feel, but with our feelings driving us because of pride?  We are to trust the Lord above all things and know His plan is perfect.

Lord, I do sorrow and that is not sin.  I feel what I feel.  I do sorrow over the state of rebellion in this age and so do You.  Guide me to have godly sorrow that I would not be driven by my feelings, but by the truth You have revealed, that all things are now and always in Your hands.  Lead me, Lord, to lament as You teach me, and to trust as You have caused my heart to do.

Lord Jesus, You looked out and wept.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not sorrow as those who have no hope, but would deal with every situation as You lead.  Guide me to grow through every sorrow that I would be strengthened to live this life You have given me according to the Father’s will.  Help me see that there is divine purpose in everything that happens in this life.  Amen.

“And not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more’ 92 Corinthians 7:7).

The Lord knows what is going on in our hearts.  He knows the difficulties, struggles, doubts and fears.  Those things which get in the way are often the very things He uses to grow in us what is needed.  Come then and trust the One who created you.  He knows all that you need and will not stop until you are conformed to the image of Christ and become as a child of the Most High.

Lord, help me to see the big picture that I would not just focus upon each step, but know that You are leading me with purpose.  Through all that comes, guide me to focus upon all of Your promises, knowing that You are the only One who will cause things to come about as You declare.  In You alone is all hope, so help my heart to know this simple truth as I struggle through each day.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to be tempted.  You know the pitfalls this age brings upon us.  You have experienced these things and know what we need.  Lead me this day in the truth of Your presence and purpose that I may be guided by You through all that will come.  Turn my heart toward You that I may willingly participate in this salvation You bring through grace.  Amen.

“For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.  But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6)

In whom do you trust?  Who will be the One to lead you where you need to go?  The Lord God, Creator of all things knows what you need before you ask.  He has made His plan and it is sure.  This world will come against God’s faithful.  But do not fear, for if the Lord is with you, nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from the love God has given you in Christ.

Lord, this world does have its ups and downs.  Teach me to live through what this world brings that I may now and always walk humbly with you.  Guide me into this new life You give by grace that I would walk through every travail, tribulation, and fear knowing that You are with me.  Let me comfort others with the comfort You have given me that we may grow in the likeness of Christ.

Lord Jesus, You are the comfort of the weary.  You are the hope of the frightened.  You are the One who knows all that is needed and have provided before we ask.  Lead me this day in the way of salvation that I would see how You have rescued me from the pitfalls over which I passed by Your grace.  In all things, help me to keep my eyes upon You, for I need You to lead me.  Amen.