Prayers of the Church, A, May 7, 2023, 5th Sunday of Easter
Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60 (Deacons, including Stephen, are chosen; excerpts from Stephen’s speech; the stoning of Stephen)
(ELW: Acts 7:55-60, The stoning of Stephen)
Psalm 146 (Happy are they whose help is from the Lord, who executes justice for the poor)
(ELW: Psalm 31: 1-5,15-16, Prayer for deliverance from enemies)
1 Peter 2:2-10 (Come to Christ, the living Stone who will cause many to stumble;
but you are his own people, a royal priesthood)
John 14:1-14 (I am the Way, Truth and Life; believe that the Father is in me and I am in him)
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. Thank you for being the Love that never lets 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 your house of living stones: holy, precious, your prized possession and beloved Body. Let its words and deeds 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 we’re afraid 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.
Thank you for 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 share the Gospel. Give them joy in serving you and your people.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Lord, there are so many who have lost their way in life. There are so many who insist there’s no such thing as real truth. There are so many who are dying without knowing your love. Please help us to notice them, to walk with them, and to find ways of slipping their hand into yours.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Remind the rulers of the nations that you alone are King of the nations. Teach them to use their authority and power to care for the poor and needy, to do justice and love mercy; and to walk humbly before you. Frustrate the way of the wicked. Make us all beautiful with your righteousness and compassion.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Guide, protect, and strengthen all who defend life and liberty here and abroad. May they always walk in pathways of integrity 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.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Bless, heal, comfort, and sustain everyone who cries out to you for help, including: {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. Help us grow in holiness. Strengthen us in compassion and service. 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.
