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PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Pentecost 2, Proper 5, A

Or St. Barnabas, Apostle – June 11, 2023

 

 

Pentecost 2:

Hosea 5:15-6:6 (Israel’s superficial repentance, God’s frustration. God desires not sacrifice but steadfast love, knowledge of God)

Psalm 119:65-72: (You humbled me when I strayed from your commands. Teach me your way!)

                ELW/RCL: Psalm 50:7-15 (God wants not burnt offerings but the sacrifice of praise)

Romans 4:13-25: (God’s promise realized through faith like Abraham’s)

Matthew 9:9-13: (Call of Matthew. Jesus comes to call sinners!)

ELW/RCL: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (Ditto; also girl restored to life, woman healed)

 

St. Barnabas:

Isaiah 42:5-12: (The Lord, who created all, called you in righteousness to be a covenant to the people. Let them all praise God!)

Psalm 112: (Happy are the righteous, who are gracious, merciful, and generous)

Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3: (Barnabas sent to Antioch; he was gracious and good; he and Paul commissioned by the Spirit in Antioch church)

Matthew 10:7-16: (Jesus commissions the Twelve: preach, heal, drive out demons, be as sheep among wolves.)

Let us pray for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

Father, you have created us, blessed us, and forgiven us. You send us to share your forgiveness with fellow sinners. Help us to do that eagerly and well! Give us strength to find our joy and purpose in life by loving you with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourself.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shape your Church into the image of Jesus. Make it a place of steadfast love and righteousness. Make it a place of forgiveness, hope, and praise. Make it a place of truth and grace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Whether we are Christians in our own community, or we go into other cultures to share the Gospel, there will always be people who stop their ears and refuse the Good News. Strengthen your persecuted people with your Holy Spirit. Give them the fullness of joy that Jesus promised, because he has overcome the world. Help them to share that joy, and the hope that is within them, even with their enemies, so that in Christ, they may be reconciled.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this congregation in pathways of faithful worship, loving service, and wise words. Let everything we say and do help lead even one other precious soul a step closer to Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless all students, especially graduates, as they complete another year of school. Thank you for good teachers, aides, and coaches. Give all of us the joy of learning a  new skill and increasing our wisdom and knowledge, whether in the classroom, on the job, or in “the school of hard knocks.”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, please give wisdom, integrity, and common sense to everyone in positions of authority in our country, and around the world. Teach them rightly to use the authority and power entrusted to them. And help all of us to be good neighbors, citizens, and stewards of your good creation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Protect and guide all whose work is difficult or dangerous, especially those who protect us from harm. They need your good gifts of courage, competency, and dedication! So do we. Help us to honor their work, and to not make it any harder than it already is through needless fear, foolishness, or malice.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son healed everyone who called upon him for aid. We pray, therefore, on behalf of everyone who suffers in body, mind, or spirit, including our dear ones: {List}. Restore them to health, and strengthen their faith in you, the God whose promises have their Yes in Jesus Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for those who have gone before us, who shaped our faith and our lives, whom we loved, and who now rest in your embrace. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, so our lives may be a blessing to others. Lead us into your house of many rooms, where we may be reunited with your saints of times past, greet those unknown to us, and rejoice with them in your presence forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers, dear Father, as they touch your heart through the Spirit who searches our hearts. For the sake of your beloved Son, answer them as may be best for us and give you glory. Amen.