Prayers of the People/Intercession on Truth
Lord, may your glorious Majesty surround us,
the blessed Trinity protect us,
and the eternal Godhead preserve us.
Your unlimited mercy support us;
your loving kindness encompass us;
your favor cause us to rejoice.
The eternal truth of God be our delight,
the saving knowledge of Christ strengthen us,
and the all-prevailing grace of God be sufficient for us.
May the grace of God the Father lead us,
the wisdom of God the Son be our consolation,
and the power of the Holy Spirit enlighten us.
Lord our Creator, stand by us;
our Redeemer, save us;
and our Comforter, dwell with us.
Amen.
Johann Habermann, Trans. Emil H. Rausch, Morning and Evening Prayers for All Days of the Week, Language adapted for Corporate Worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.
Jesus–Savior, Friend, and Lord: When we’re lost, confused and anxious–You are our Way. When we misunderstand–and are misunderstood, when we are lied to and lied about, and when we lie or believe the lies–You are the Truth. And when we feel drained of vitality, or afraid of death and dying–You are our Resurrection and the Life.
You guide us, speak to us the Truth in love and You give us hope … always. For that we praise You, now and forever. And because of that, we come to You with all we are and aren’t, knowing You’ll help us, and those we care about. We pray for friends and loved ones who are ill or injured, recovering and recuperating: Mend their affected bodies.
Quiet their anxious minds. And assure their fearful hearts; for You are our Great Physician. For those who grieve losses, recent or long past: Give them the gift of thanksgiving in good memories and positive influences. Cover any lingering hurts with Your love. And surround them with Your gift of peace, given in Your resurrection.
For those in depression’s darkness–be the Light of their world. For those lacking life’s essentials–be the Giver of Bread; and move the hearts and hands of your people to express your care with love in action. For those whose relationships are strained, damaged or broken–be their Mediator and Reconciler, bring them back to their heavenly Father and to one another.
We pray also for Your church–meeting today to worship joyfully under spreading trees in Africa, reverently in European cathedrals, hopefully in storefronts on the streets of cities in the Americas and even secretly enthusiastic in places where it’s a crime against the state to name Your name. Wherever we are–keep Your church faithful to the Truth you declare, loyal in the Way you give us to live, and joyful as we live for You. May we grow in our love for You and for one another, so that the world might know that You are our Lord, we are Your people …and that the same can be true for them, too.
For your world–we pray the Gospel would be known from pole to pole, horizon to horizon; and that between nations: peace would overcome war, hope replace despair, love conquer hate, and understanding supplant suspicion. Now, for us here this morning–we pray for ears to hear Your voice to the glory of Your name, Jesus; for You are our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Lord of grace and truth: You meet us where we are. 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 what’s 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 to you with what keeps us awake at night. We lift up those we love who are in need of healing today–something only you can do. Even with all our skill and knowledge, all we do is make way for you to 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 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 your hope of the resurrection.
We pray for our nation—that we’ll live up to our ideals: those 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. 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 and to your glory. AMEN