Prayers of the People/Intercession on Addiction
Jesus–our Lord, Savior, Friend and Companion: To be “in” You is to no longer be strangers to Your Father, or to one another. In You–we are brought near. In You–we are redeemed and forgiven. In You–we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. In You–we have peace. In You–we are bound together so that Your Spirit lives among us. In You–we can call God our “Father” and know His welcome; and we can pray with confidence.
So, in You and in Your name we pray boldly, Lord, …For those who are injured or ill, recuperating from or anticipating surgery–we ask You to heal them. Mend broken bones. Repair defective heart valves. Eradicate cancers. Restore nerve cells. Knit bones and implants strongly together. Encourage the discouraged and free the addicted. Give peace to loved ones and care for care-givers.
May people see mirrored in our marriages the way You love us, and how we love you. Enable us to love effortfully and faithfully, patiently and persistently. Reconcile husbands and wives who are estranged. Make our homes lighthouses in a dark world. For this world we pray. For the nations of the world–may You break down the dividing walls of hostility and suspicion between us.
Give leaders of all nations wisdom to know what to do and the courage to lead that peace can overcome war, understanding overcome hatred, and generosity overcome greed. For Your church and this congregation, we pray. Show Yourself to us so that we may seek You, know You, love You and trust You with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength; and may we truly love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Make us a colony of heaven, a refuge for those who are weary, a safe place on a dangerous journey for all. Bless our pastor, staff, leaders and all who serve that what we do will glorify You and enlarge your kingdom. This we pray, in the hope that You will answer both the prayers of our lips and the prayers of hearts. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN
Lord–some of us are running or dancing into the celebration to come; others of us are tired, limping or stumbling into it. Either way–You are standing there in Your love, with arms open wide, to receive us as we are. Your invitation today is to come to You as we are; to come honestly without false pretense or pretending.
We’re not much—but we’re Yours, and that alone makes us everything, by Your grace! So, because of Your love and not our efforts, because of Your compassion and not our devotion, we come asking You to move and make a difference in the lives of those we care about. We pray that You’d heal those who are sick, injured, or recuperating; and that You’d comfort all who mourn, whether their grief is fresh or lingering.
We pray also that You would free the addicted ones from chains that rob them of freedom to love You and others fully; and that friendships, families, and communities ripped apart by addiction will be reconciled by Your redeeming power.
For those with too little, for whom this year held economic set-back and even disaster, for those fighting to save a home, put food on the table, afford heat or life-preserving medications: Lord, meet their needs … and if that be through those of us who have enough and more than enough, move our hearts and open our hands in compassion.
You made us in Your image to reflect your glory, to love You and one another–but we have lost our way. We pray for peace in a world that loves conflict and war. We pray for understanding in a world that thrives on suspicion and hatred. We pray for justice and compassion in a world set on pecking orders and getting ahead by pushing others aside.
We pray for Your truth to prevail in a world that clings to lies and spin-doctoring. We pray for contentment in a world that feeds on dissatisfaction and a lust for more. We pray for hope in a world enveloped in the darkness of despair, ignorance. and poverty–and may we be an answer to these prayers through the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. These are our prayers, offered in the strong name of Jesus. AMEN
Prayer for the Victims of Addiction
O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)