November 19: 25th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28)
Zephaniah 1:7-16 (The Day of the Lord comes as darkness and judgment for the complacent)
Psalm 90:1-12 (O God, our help in ages past! Teach us to number our days
and apply our hearts to wisdom)
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (Be sober, watchful – the Lord will come like a thief in the night;
therefore act as children of the day)
Matthew 25:14-30 (The parable of the servants given talents)
Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.
A brief silence is kept.
Father, thank you for entrusting to us the treasures of your Kingdom and the gifts of your Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your confidence in us – for commending wise risk taking and condemning fearful inaction. Give us grace to be faithful stewards of your bounty, to your glory and for the good of your people.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give your Church pastors, bishops, and theologians who faithfully proclaim your Word of Law and Gospel. Make the Church shine with the holiness and humility of Jesus, guiding many to seek his promised forgiveness and salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Let the faithful witness of your suffering Church be a beacon of hope for all who love Christ, and into an urgent warning to all who hate him. We can scarcely comprehend the suffering of our persecuted sisters and brothers. Give us the willingness to defend and provide for them as we can, and to adorn their sacrifices with our smaller acts of faith and love.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Make this congregation into a “Discipleship Boot Camp!” Teach us to practice taking risks in your service. Make us bold in granting forgiveness – or asking for it. Make us brave in talking about the hope that is in us. Make us fearless in shining the light of Jesus’ love into sin-darkened lives. Make us ingenious in easing the burdens of others for whom he gave his life.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We pray for all who have been richly blessed with skills of mind and hand, and gifts of imagination and wise judgment. Guide them in using their gifts to your glory and for the benefit of others. We also pray for those whose talents seem meager; who are afraid to use them; or are convinced they are worthless. Give them the grace to value what you have given them, and to use all their resources to their utmost. Help all of us to risk much as we seek to please you, help our neighbor, and heal our world. Remind us that you have prepared for us joys that are infinitely greater than any treasure we lay at your feet.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Give teachable minds and willing hearts to the leaders of the nations. Remind them that they must give you an account of their stewardship of power, authority, and talents. Do not let them squander these gifts through hard hearts, rivalries, misuse, or disuse. Give to each of us the gifts of kindness, humility, and generosity, so that all our lives may be touched by happiness and brightened by hope.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Great gifts are needed by those who risk their lives to protect the lives and liberty of others. Abundantly grant them all they need, dear Lord. Use their skills to bring calm in chaos, and justice in troubled places. Shield their loved ones from fear; and bring them home safely and soon.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
We beseech you to come speedily to the rescue of all who cry out for healing of body, mind, heart or spirit – including: {List}. Deliver them from their afflictions, and restore them to the fellowship of all who care for them.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Keep in your sheltering arms all those who have died trusting in your promises. And as you have called us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown, we pray: Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us, until you bring us home, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
