THE PRAYERS, 

10^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12, Cycle B (July 29, 2018)

 

Let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Most holy God, you have rooted and grounded the Church in the life-giving body of your dear Son. Use it to feed, heal, teach, and draw many people to the foot of Jesus’ Cross.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shelter and bless all who suffer greatly on account of naming Jesus as Lord, especially our sisters and brothers in Syria, Pakistan, North Korea, and Iraq. By their faithful endurance and charity, soften the hearts of their enemies and bring many to repentance and salvation. Use your missionaries to feed many hearts with the Word of life and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Nourish the people of this congregation with the living Bread of heaven. Heal us with your compassion and forgiveness. Give us boldness to proclaim your saving love to those around us who need to hear it most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Bless our young adults with lively faith and the strength of character to resist the fads and follies of the culture. Channel their energy and idealism to accomplish deeds of mercy and words of wisdom. Use them to introduce skeptical friends and cynical co-workers to you, the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give to those entrusted with leadership – in government, justice, education, industry, or the arts – upright and honest hearts. Teach them to love wisdom, justice, and mercy. Grant that, through their proper use of authority, all people may receive the blessings of food, health, safety, opportunity, and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for police, firefighters, our military, and all the unsung heroes who risk their lives on behalf of liberty, justice, and safety. Give them the wisdom, courage, and integrity they need to do their jobs faithfully and well. Help us to honor their service and sacrifice, and give them new opportunities to benefit their communities when their present duties are completed

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bestow your Holy Spirit upon all who cry out to you for help, especially those we name before you now: {List}. Graciously help, heal, restore, and strengthen them. Bless everyone who assists them in their time of need; and increase their faith and trust in you, their Strength and their Redeemer.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep in your tender care, dear Father, all who have died trusting in your promises – especially those whose loss we feel most deeply. Heal our grief, strengthen our faith, and forgive our sins of doubt, despair, or bitterness. Nourish us with the Bread of Life and refresh us with your Holy Spirit. And lead us into your heavenly Kingdom, where with all the redeemed, we shall rejoice in your goodness forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.

 

THE PRAYERS, 

7^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9, Cycle B (July 8, 2018)

Let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Lord, you commissioned Ezekiel to speak to your rebellious people; and your Son chose the Twelve to spread the Gospel throughout Galilee. Bestow your Spirit to the Church, so that it may boldly speak words of warning and grace to all people, and may bring many to repentance, true faith, and redemption in Christ Jesus.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant y0ur all-sufficient grace to your persecuted servants. By their faithful witness and persistent hope, turn their enemies toward the cross of Christ, where they may be forgiven and transformed. Bestow your favor and guidance upon your missionaries, especially those serving in dangerous places.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for calling the people of this congregation into fellowship with your dear Son. Give us the gifts of the Holy Spirit to shape us into disciples and heralds of your Kingdom. Grant us courage, so that we do not cringe at the prospect of sharing the Good News; and give us kindness, so that others may gladly hear it.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Thank you for the lives and dreams of patriots who have labored to make this country into a shining beacon of hope, freedom and justice for all. Kindle in all of our hearts the desire to serve nation and neighbor in ways that please and honor you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant the Spirit of wisdom and understanding to all who take counsel for the nations. Give them teachable spirits, honest minds, and merciful hearts, so that those entrusted to their care may enjoy the blessings of health, hope, freedom and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep our military personnel and first responders in your care. Grant that all they do may secure and further the blessings of peace, justice, and liberty. Help us to support and encourage their families until the day when they are reunited; and heal all whose lives have been shattered by the violence of war.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Like Paul, who prayed that his thorn in the flesh might be removed; we pray for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Especially we remember before you: {List}. Heal them according to your gracious will; and give them unshakable confidence in your grace, which is always sufficient for their needs. Thank you for all caregivers. Give them compassion, patience and serenity. And keep all who suffer in closest communion with their church, their family, and all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, we praise and adore you for your never-failing mercy, especially as it has embraced our loved ones who have died in the shelter of your arms. Keep us close to your heart throughout our lives; support us with your grace; heal us with your forgiving love; and lead us by your Spirit into the Kingdom and the inheritance won for us by your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.