Prayers of the Faithful

Presider:    

Aware that living the Gospel can be a dangerous thing, we pray for our fellow Christians, as well as for all people loved by God.

Lector:

• For the Church: that we may be transformed by the fire of the Spirit into a dynamic community of faith and give witness to God’s abiding presence and action in the world, we pray:
• For all who are suffering for their discipleship: that God give them strength, console them when they are rejected, and help them to respond with love and forgiveness, we pray:
• For the families that are preparing to have a child baptized, that they feel welcomed in the community and find all the support they need to raise a child in the faith, we pray:
• For families which are divided or in conflict: that God will help them to hear and understand one another and find ways to support each other on life’s journey, we pray:
• For all teachers and administrators as they prepare for the coming school year: that God will give them wisdom, patience and understanding for each of the students with whom they will work this year, we pray:
• For young people who are heading off to college, particularly those going away for the first time: that God will guide them as they adapt to being on their own and help them to make wise decisions and many new friends, we pray:
• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers including, Diane Sparrow, and Ed Lynch. May they find comfort in God’s love and from the care of their family and friends, we pray:
• We remember those who have died with faith in the resurrection; especially; Ben Scharber, brother of Rita Lefebvre, and for those who are struggling with grief for the passing of a loved-one, we pray:

Presider:

God our protector, stand with us as we commit to living as faithful followers of your Son, Jesus. Help us to love and respect those who do not understand or value our choices and strengthen us when we waver.  We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful, August 6 & 7, 2022

Presider:  

We are called to be vigilant and faithful servants. And so we pray:

Lector:

• For the Church: that God will renew and deepen our faith so that we may be confident that God is always present and accompanies us along each step of our journey, we pray to the Lord:
• For the grace to remember: that we may be conscious of all the good things that God has done for us and allow them to inspire us to greater generosity, we pray:
• For patience: that we may have the grace to wait upon God, even when answers do not seem clear and trust in God’s love and providence,  we pray:
• For deeper discipleship: that we may celebrate each day as gift from God and trust God’s Spirit to guide our way, we pray:
• For the people of Haiti, who in the last few weeks have been experiencing escalated gang violence amidst an already tumultuous political and social landscape, and for all those impacted by gang violence and political corruption, that they may persevere in hope and that our world leaders may find a way to help Haitians become a more secure, safe country, we pray:
• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers including Diane Spazzow, and  Ed Lynch, and for all who are suffering in body, mind, and spirit, we pray:
• For those who have died with faith in the resurrection; especially Lee Rossman, and Barbara Henkemeyer, wife of Roger Henkemeyer, that God will welcome the souls of the deceased and bless and comfort the grieving.  We pray to the Lord…

Presider:

God who fulfills all promises; you call us into unknown territory and urge us to be open to unseen possibilities. Keep us alert when the duties of life distract us and when our focus on the coming of your kingdom wanes. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful – July 30 & 31, 2022

Presider:           

Turning our hearts to the divine will is what matters most to God. And so we pray:

Lector:

• For all members of the church, may they witness to the world what it means to seek what matters most to God, we pray to the Lord…
• For a spirit of gratitude: that we may appreciate all the gifts that God has given us and become rich through words of faith, attitudes of hope, and deeds of love, we pray to the Lord…
• For freedom from anxiety: that we may never be seduced by the illusions of wealth, fame, power, or control, nor allow these to dominate our lives, we pray to the Lord…
• For all those who are without safe, affordable housing, that they may receive the support they need; and for those who have donated or will volunteer this week with Habitat for Humanity Faith Builds, that they may persevere in this expression of love and care for neighbor; we pray to the Lord…
• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers including, Allison Maxa, and for all who are suffering in body, mind, and spirit, we pray:
• For those who have died with faith in the resurrection; especially Mark Harstad, that God will welcome the souls of the deceased and bless and comfort the grieving.  We pray to the Lord…

Presider:

Loving God, life is your most precious gift and in your Life is our lasting security. Grant these our prayers that one day we might all enjoy the inheritance of everlasting Life. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful                                       July 23 & 24, 2022

Presider:           

Remembering that Jesus taught us the importance of persistent prayer, we pray now for ourselves and others.

Lector:

• For the Church: that all members grow through prayer in their relationship with God and each other, we pray:
• For our faith community; that we may continue to be the house of prayer that God calls us to be, we pray:
• For persistence in prayer: that the Spirit will teach us how to authentically express our deepest self to God in prayer and give us strength to never grow tired of presenting our needs, we pray:
• For those in financial crisis in this time of economic insecurity, that God will provide for the needs of those struggling and give them hope, we pray:
• For the youth of the church: that they may find new ways to encounter Christ and follow the light of the Gospel, we pray:
• For all who are celebrating the sacrament of Baptism this month, that they feel the welcome of this community as they begin a new life in the love of Christ.  We pray:
• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers including, Allison Maxa, Rebecca Scott, and Barbara Langloss and for all who are suffering in body, mind, and spirit, we pray:
• Today we pray for our Beloved Dead: Sandy Hartung, Patricia Green, and Debbie Kieser, as well as those who have died more recently, especially Sr. Lorraine Kraft, sister of Karen Atkinson and Mary Christopherson.  May they share fully in the new life of Christ and live with God forever, we pray:

Presider:

Gracious God, like our ancestors in faith, we lift our hearts and voices to you in prayer. We call upon your mercy and compassion, remembering that you love and care for us. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful July 16 & 17, 2022

Presider:           

Let us pray now for all those we are called to welcome into our lives.

Lector:

• For the Church: that our deeds of hospitality and service may reveal for us a glimpse the face of God, we pray:
• For all who are busy about work and progress: that God will free us from overworking, help us find the life-giving balance, and recognize the relationships which bring us life, we pray:
• For all who experience anxiety and worry: that the Spirit will help them to be open to rest in God’s healing presence, we pray:
• For all the participants and staff from Risen Savior who depart this weekend for their Mission Trip; may God keep them safe, inspire their work, and leave them with life-long memories and relationships. we pray:
• For the recognition and development of the ministries of women: that God will help all to appreciate and affirm the gifts that women bring to the church and support them in using their gifts, we pray:
• For peace: that God will turn hearts from violence in our cities and families, open new opportunities for dialogue, and protect innocent people from attacks and errant gunfire, we pray:
• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers including, Rebecca Scott,  Lily Kankovsky, Virginia Van Pelt, and Barbara Langloss.  May they find comfort in God’s love and from the care of their family and friends, we pray:
• We remember those who have died with faith in the resurrection; especially Frank Kremer and for those who are struggling with grief for the passing of a loved-one, we pray:

Presider:

Gracious God, you have chosen to dwell among us in unexpected, surprising ways, most especially in the person of your own Son, Jesus. Give us open and fearless hearts and minds that we may welcome you however and whenever you appear. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.