Prayers of the People/Intercession on Humility
May we be no one’s enemy, and may we be the friend of all that is eternal and abides with Christ.
May we never quarrel with those nearest us; and if we do, may we be reconciled quickly.
May we love, seek, and attain only that which is good.
May we wish for everyone’s happiness and envy none.
May we never celebrate the misfortune of one who has wronged us.
May we win no victory that harms either us or our opponents.
May we help reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May we,to the best of our abilities, provide help to our friends and all who are in want.
May we never fail a friend who is in danger.
May we respect ourselves. Amen.
Eusebius of Caesarea, Adapted
Gracious God–who opens Your arms wide to welcome us just as we are but who’s too loving leave us that way: in response to Your invitation we come humbly and boldly with our broken hearts and weak hands to ask You to do what we can’t.
For those ill or injured, and those recovering from surgery or anticipating it–we ask you to intervene and heal them. Heal afflicted bodies, troubled minds and discouraged spirits. Please heal them, Lord. On behalf of those who mourn, we ask You to comfort them in the hope of the resurrection and the peace that passeth all understanding.
Lord, we pray for families in crisis: give hope to those who feel hopeless; restore trust that’s been broken; rekindle love that’s grown cold or stale; renew communication that’s been damaged. Find a way, Lord, for Your love to prevail–change patterns that destroy and replace them with habits that nurture mutual caring and grace.
We pray, also, for our broken world–shattered by prejudice, suspicion, injustice and hatred; confused by lies, hidden agendas and “spin;” and marred by sins of greed, lust, pride and anger. Come, Lord, as Lord of all–may Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. For our nation–we ask You to guide our leaders.
When they’re wrong, give them humility to admit it and lead us in the right ways, in Your ways. When they’re right, give them a humility that makes them gracious with those who disagree and a courage to walk in Your ways and to lead us in Your path. We pray, also, for other nations–may You also bless them as they seek to live out Your kingdom’s life-giving values, truth and virtues.
Where there’s war–bring peace; where there’s drought–rain; where there’s famine–food; where there are hostages–freedom; where there are storms–shelter and protection. We also pray for Your church and this congregation: that You’ll protect us from what obscures the truth and grace of the gospel of Jesus, from what mutes our witness and mars our work for Your Kingdom. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. AMEN
Father God–You invite us to come as a child to his/her daddy. You invite us to open our souls to You. You invite us to lay our desires before You. You are fond of us, Your children–so we come to You humbly, lovingly, yet confidently.
We pray for your world–which You created and called “good”. Now we see it so riddled by war and hatred, infected with hopelessness and despair, confused, having lost its way, and refusing to walk in Yours.
Shine Your light in the dark corners of the earth: Ignite your followers as lamps to show the Way. Encourage disheartened missionaries. We pray for our world and nation. Heal our land! Let Your justice roll down like a mighty river, to cleanse away injustice. Replace suspicion of neighbor with trust. Guide our leaders in Your ways, and give us all the courage to follow Your paths. Grant your wisdom and strength to our President, Vice President, Legislators and judges. Lord, Revive Your church in America! Make us all salt in a dying and tasteless culture. Make us light in places where night has fallen. And, pour out Your Spirit on this church–Empowering the ministry You’ve already given us and lead us in new avenues of reaching this community, and the World, with the good News of Your Son Jesus Christ.
We ask Your comfort for friends and loved ones who mourn. Walk with them through the valley of the shadow. Give them Your peace which passes all understanding. We pray especially for … We pray for Your healing for those who are ill, injured, recuperating from or anticipating surgery: Heal them in body, soul and spirit.
Protect them from anxiety; buoy them with hope. We ask Your healing grace especially for ….All this, and more, we confidently ask You to hear and grant, to the glory of Your Son, our Savior–Jesus–Amen.
Prayer for Holy Resistance
Break our hearts Jesus
so we may weep as You weep
Love as You love
Break our hearts Jesus and raise our voices
so we may speak and act so all may be safe
so all may have opportunity
so all may know dignity and belonging
Lord Jesus
take away our fear, our apathy, our silence
Grant us
Your courage, Your strength, Your perseverance
So we may be Your sanctuary
Your safe place of presence
So we may live Your justice
and use Your power with wisdom and humility
So we may be Your whole and holy people
people of integrity and truth
So we may speak and act and love
again and again and again
till every dividing wall of hate, fear, and inequity
comes crashing down in Your Powerful Name
The congregation is invited to offer their own prayers for justice and equity
Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, Savior of the Nations,
teach us to pray and teach us to live Your prayer…
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Holy Resistance © 2017, updated 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com.