Prayers of the People/Intercession on New Life
Lord of grace and truth: You meet us where we’re at. And when everybody lies to us, you speak with candor and honesty about what’s good, right and true. We can trust you–and we do. That’s why we can rejoice with you in what is new: a new life, a new relationship, new opportunities, new commitments to You, and all the things you make new in and for us.
That’s also why we can turn you with what keeps us awake at night. We lift up those we love who are in need of healing today–that you would restore bodies that are sick or injured, minds and emotions that are troubled or damaged.
Please heal our friends and loved ones; and encourage those who give them care. We hold close to our hearts and hold up to yours, those who grieve today–whether that grief is fresh or lingering; and we ask you to please comfort them in your love, refresh them with your peace, and encourage them with resurrection hope.
We pray for our nation—that we’ll live up to our ideals: of justice for all, the value of life, compassion for the poor and persecuted, and the freedom to do what is good for others. Empower our nation’s leaders to lead us in good and right ways; and protect our young men and women who serve in dangerous places as well as those who call those places “home.”
Bless Your church as we seek to be faithful and help us to get it right more often. Make us a colony of heaven, Lord, where the ways and truth of your Kingdom are seen by all. This is our prayer–in Your name, to your glory. AMEN
Father God–You are a God of grace and abundance, who blesses us with more than a shower of blessings but a downpour of mercies. We rejoice with friends in new marriages, and in the strength of lasting marriages.
For new beginnings, for healings and successful surgeries, for employment, for family and loved ones, and for Your Son our Savior who gives us eternal life and gives it in abundance …we say with joy–“Thank you, Lord … you are so good!”
So knowing your grace in the past we feel welcomed to pray for what lies ahead—Lord—please heal those we love: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; we pray for successful surgeries, profitable therapy, full recovery … whatever’s needed.
Lord—please comfort those who mourn, whether their grief is new or long-lasting. Give them the hope of the resurrection, peace that restores, and the faith to walk with you in the valley of the shadow. Lord—please guide us as a nation.
Keep us from demonizing those with whom we disagree or from worshipping those we support. You alone are the savior of nations—enable us to trust You above all else. Guide us as we seek to discern what would be the best good for all …not just our own self-interests; and, for the days ahead, give us the kind of leaders we need, if not those we deserve.
Lord—please direct and empower Your church, this church. Make us an agent of positive change in the community. Give us love, your love, unconditional love, active and real love for all kinds of people who need You–no matter their race, ethnicity, level of education, age, gender, economic bracket, party affiliation, or what they wear or how they speak. It’s how we love that show we’re Yours—help us love better.
And, Lord—please touch our hearts today. Speak into us, your Words of life, of comfort, conviction or hope. What is not of You—may we forget when we walk out of this room; and what is of You, may we never forget wherever we go. This is our desire … this is our prayer, offered in the name above every name—Jesus. AMEN
God of Grace and God of Glory–rich in love and mercy, all powerful and everywhere present: We come to You at Your bidding, trusting in Your faithful compassion and not in our fruitless efforts to do what is good or right or loving. We thank You always for the gift of new life in a child, the gift of new relationships in an engagement or marriage; the gift of new birth for those who hear the gospel and respond; and the gift of a new heaven and a new earth there for all who know You.
All that is truly new comes from You, not from us. While we are not the healer–You are: So we ask You to make our friends whole, in body, soul, mind and spirit, restoring them to physical, spiritual or emotional health. We pray for Your healing for those recovering from surgery, sickness or injury; especially…Give them hope by Your resurrection and the peace that comes with Your presence.
Encourage them in the days ahead and plant Your love deep in their hearts. For those soon going away to colleges and schools for the first time–and for their families–go before them and lead them into relationships that can encourage them in faithful discipleship to Jesus. For those returning to school soon, as students or teachers–likewise prepare them to live and learn Your truth and to showYour love to all.
Awaken Your church to Your truth, infuse us with Your courage, hold us in Your grace and fill us with Your love for all, we pray. Make us a compelling witness to Your gospel’s truth and love in towns and cities, and around the world, so all may know You as Lord and Savior. For our nation, we pray: Lord of nations, guide our leaders.
Give wisdom to our president, vice-president, senators, and congressmen … and grant courage to lead us in Your ways according to Your truth, statutes and commands. Protect those who serve faithfully in harm’s way in the military. And we pray for peace, reconciliation and justice in lands torn apart by war and violence in the Middle East, Africa and Asia; and for those who are victims of warfare.
Now, we pray for our preacher. May we hear, obey and never forget what he says that’s of Your true will and mind; and what’s not of You, may we forget before we walk out the door. Fill his mouth with Your Word–and open our ears to hear it, and our will to do it. All this and more, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.