Prayers of the People/Intercession on Righteousness
Mighty God,
sovereign over the nations,
direct those who make, administer, and judge our laws;
the President of the United States
and others in authority among us (especially N., N.);
that, guided by your wisdom,
they may lead us in the way of righteousness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for world leaders
The Worshipbook: Services,The Westminster Press, 1970.
God, our Father: Your love gives us more than we can ever hope for, and far beyond what we deserve. You clothe us in the righteousness of Christ. You give us dreams and visions of what we can become by Your grace, power and in Your will; and You work in mysterious ways to make them happen.
As Your beloved children, we dare come boldly to ask You to hear the cries of our souls and the prayers of our hearts: We pray for our world, torn by hatred, suspicion and fear. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the land of Jesus.
We pray for those who name the name of Christ Jesus there – whether Jew, Arab or Palestinian. Protect them. Encourage them. Enable them to shine like lights in a dark place. We pray for our brothers and sisters in difficult places –Be their rock and refuge, their constant companion and their source of strength.
We also pray for our own land. Enable us to walk a higher path as a nation – walking in Your ways of humility and truth, justice and compassion, grace and righteousness. Guide our leaders and protect those who serve in uniform, near and far. We pray Your comfort for those who have lost loved ones and now walk the road of grief; may they sense your presence alongside them on the way; especially we pray for …
We pray for those who face surgery, for those who are ill or injured, and those who are recuperating, at home or in a hospital – heal them in body and soul. We especially pray for … And we pray for us as a church. May we be a shining example of Your kingdom. May we be a family to those who are alone, a hospital for those who are hurting, a community of sinners forgiven that extends Your gospel and grace to other sinners and to one another. All this, and what still remains tucked deeply within our hearts, we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord … AMEN.
God of wonder and strength, compassion, grace and love–all of which we see revealed through the power of a storm and its aftermath: You’re so big–and we’re so small. Your might is unlimited–ours is finite. Your patience lasts–ours quickly fades. Your purposes can’t be frustrated–we are frustrated a lot.
Coming face-to-face with our limited wisdom, abilities and resources (as we have this week), we turn to You, for Whom there are no such limits, to ask: Lord, help us. For those battling sickness or amid a lengthy rehabilitation, recuperation or recovery, for all who need healing of body, soul and mind; we pray–Help them, Lord.
For those who grieve, whose lives are turned upside down and need the comfort and encouragement of Your presence and peace, for those whose names we know; we pray–Help them, Lord. For those fighting their way out of addictions that have bound them for too long to a bottle or needle, to pornography or food, even to work or pleasure; we pray–Help them, Lord.
For teachers and students, staff and administrators, school bus drivers and parents, as schools open and classes resume, as relationships are formed and learning continues, give discerning spirits, renewed minds, positive attitudes, searching hearts, that when any truth is taught or grasped it’s Your truth that’s taught or grasped; we pray–Help them, Lord.
For scared parents holding their first child in their arms, or scared parents sending their child off to college, for couples discovering the gifts of being married for the first time or empty-nesters rediscovering one another, we thank You and also pray–Help them, Lord. For our nation and for its leaders–our president, vice-president, legislators and judges; for those any who govern and lead, protect and assist, for all who need guidance in decisions, who need courage for acting, who need to be able to admit mistakes and celebrate successes, we pray–Help them, Lord.
For us as Your church, trying to do the best we can to show your love to the world but who sometimes struggle with a neighbor next door or even in the pew next to us; for pastors and staff, elders and deacons, trustees, teachers, youth leaders and all who try to be faithful in our giving, our serving, our living and caring in Your name–Help us, Lord.
And now, for our preacher who wants to declare Your truth with clarity, compassion and conviction, and we who listen desiring to receive, believe and live that same truth, we pray–Help us, Lord. For it’s in Your name, Jesus. AMEN