Prayers of the Faithful

Prayers of the Faithful:                                  December 24/25, 2020

Presider:

As we rejoice in the love of God, which is reborn among us on this holy night/day; let us also remember those in need throughout the world.

Lector:

• For the Church on this glorious Feast of Christmas: that we may know how close God is to us, how blest we are, and how God is always with us, we pray:

• For an outpouring of God’s favor in our time; that the Spirit will rekindle a childlike spirit of wonder and awe within us and an openness to all the opportunities that God offers us, we pray:

• For Pope Francis and all who serve the church: that God will inspire them in leading us to deeper faith and greater love during this Christmas season, we pray:

• For a spirit of connectedness: that as the birth of Jesus united God with humanity, we may grow in our relationship with God and with all who walk the human journey with us, we pray:

• For all who are experiencing darkness through isolation, depression, grief, or violence: that the light of Christ may scatter the darkness and bring hope to their hearts, we pray:

• For all who are assisting others this Christmas season: that God will guide and protect healthcare workers, public safety officials, and utility workers, we pray:

• For all those who are ill and have asked for our prayers: especially Cheri Henderson, we pray:
• For those who have died in the knowledge that Christ has overcome sin and death, (especially) _______________________________________

that God will fill them with life and give consolation and peace to those who grieve them, we pray:

Presider:

Lord God, we thank you for sending us the most perfect gift – Jesus, the Messiah;

and for revealing your grace to us. Help us to accept your gifts of Salvation.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayers of the Faithful for December 19 & 20, 2020

Presider:  

O God of love, you looked with favor on your servant Mary. Look with favor on the prayers we now bring to you.

Lector:

• For all God’s people: may we be open to God’s calling, without knowing what the future may hold. We Pray to the Lord:  

• For confidence in God’s providence: that in facing life’s obstacles, we may place our trust in God for whom nothing is impossible. We Pray to the Lord:  

• For all who are isolated and alone, particularly those who are homebound or in nursing homes: that Christ may fill their emptiness and open our hearts to reach out to them. We Pray to the Lord:  

• For all who are away from home, particularly members of the military and relief workers: that God will keep them safe, help them fulfill their duties, and bring them home quickly. We Pray to the Lord:  

• For all who are suffering economically: that God will protect and guide those who are facing eviction, have lost employment, or who struggle to have enough to eat. We Pray to the Lord:  

• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including,

Marsha Ruwe, Randy Bedard and Bill Zettlemoyer,

May all who suffer be encouraged by the Lord’s coming, We Pray to the Lord:  

• For those who have died with faith in the Resurrection, especially Eugene Ebner, John and Charline McDermott, parents of Steve McDermott, Lazinia Ball, Mother of Vincent Ball and Cayden Andrews, great-great-grand-nephew of Maggie Fisher. Comfort those who find the Christmas holidays difficult because they have lost a loved-one during this season.       We Pray to the Lord:  

Presider:

O God, whose mercy is without limit and kindness is endless, hear our prayers as we eagerly await your coming into our homes and hearts in the birth of your Son. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful for December 12 & 13, 2020

Presider:   In the joy of God’s Spirit embracing us and our community, let us offer our prayers for God’s people.

Lector:

• For the Church: that we who have been created in the image and likeness of God may always rejoice in our new life in Christ, We Pray to the Lord:  

• For a joyful spirit: that as we recognize the gift of our relationships and the many blessings that God has given us, our hearts may be grateful and our spirits filled with joy, We Pray to the Lord:  

• For all who cannot find God: that the lights, hymns, and warm greetings of this season may be a doorway to finding God in all things and recognizing that God is with us, We Pray to the Lord:  

• For all who must wait: that God’s loving presence will give strength and hope to those who are in isolation, awaiting surgery or the birth of a child, or who are caring for the sick or dying, We Pray to the Lord:   

• For all who are working to defeat the coronavirus: that God will speed the production of the vaccine, guide those who are distributing it, and help those who are administering it, We Pray to the Lord:  

• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including, Marsha Ruwe, Randy Bedard, Bill Zettlemoyer, and Eugene Ebner May all who suffer be encouraged by the Lord’s coming, We Pray to the Lord:  

• For those who have died, especially, George Olsen, Father Pat Griffin, previous pastor of Risen Savior, and Beverly Mayer, mother of Brad Mayer. Comfort those who mourn the passing of a loved-one, We Pray to the Lord:  

Presider:

God of hope, we present our needs to you because you are faithful to your promises. We pray for the grace to be beacons of hope for others, as together we await the coming of your Son. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful for December 5 & 6, 2020

Presider:  

We pray for and await God’s loving presence to all who are in need of comfort.

Lector:

• For the Church: that God will comfort, nurture, and care for us, and lead us to a new day that is free of the Coronavirus,

We pray to the Lord:  

• For openness of heart: that God will renew the gift of the Spirit within us and help us to be active and dynamic disciples,

We pray to the Lord:  

• For all who are alone or in isolation: that God will sustain them, help them be aware of the blessings in their lives, and helps us to reach out and accompany them,

We pray to the Lord:  

• For healing of our civic community: that God will lead us to honest dialogue, greater respect for one another, and a deeper commitment to the truth,

We pray to the Lord:  

• For deeper respect and appreciation for the created world: that we may be good stewards of the earth that God has provided for our well-being and that of future generations,

We pray to the Lord:  

• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including, Marsha Ruw, Randy Bedard, Bill Zettlemoyer and Beverly Mayer, mother of Brad Mayer,

May they and all who suffer be comforted by your healing touch and by the prayers of friends and family, We pray to the Lord:  

• For those who have died,

Comfort those who mourn the passing of a loved-one, We pray to the Lord:  

Presider:

Hear our prayers O God. May your glory be revealed in your work to make these prayers for mercy, justice, and peace a reality in our global community. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL FOR NOVEMBER 28 AND 29, 2020

Presider:  

Let us pray that this holy season will make us alert to Christ’s coming through the needs and concerns of all people.

Lector:

• For the Church: that we may be awake to life each day, roused from sleep-waking through life, and freed from avoidance of issues, we pray,  

• For patience during this Advent season: that we may discover God’s word in every sound that touches our ears, God’s touch in every human embrace, and God’s love in every gesture of self-sacrifice among us, we pray:  

• For healing of our nation: that God will heal the wounds of the political campaigns, restore civil dialogue, and help us to address together the greatest needs of our country, we pray:  

• For all who are suffering from violence, famine, persecution, or neglect: that God will destroy the bonds that hold them and open the doors of mercy and compassion for them, we pray:  

• For all who must wait: that God will strengthen and comfort all who are waiting with the sick, those awaiting a diagnosis or a test result, those separated from loved ones, and those who are held unjustly, we pray:  

• For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers.May they and all who suffer be comforted by your healing touch and by the prayers of friends and family, we pray:  

• Today we pray for our Beloved Dead: Clifford Ward, Jean Dineen, Lottie Burczyk, Dorothy McCabe and Mary Griffin, as well as for those who have recently died, especially John Finken, son of Brenda Finken.  May God comfort those who mourn the passing of a loved-one, we pray:  

Presider:

God who is ever present, grant us the ability to see the face of Jesus wherever he appears among us, and help us to live in awareness this Advent season. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.