Prayers of the Faithful

Presider:

Let us pray that we and the world may be open to hear God’s authoritative voice, however it may come to us.

 

Reader:

For all in the church who wear the heavy mantle of speaking with authority: that their words may be grounded in humility, respect and love, we pray:

For all political, civic and military leaders whose authority can influence the possibility of peace and justice for many people, we pray:

For parents and teachers, coaches, counselors and mentors, and all who are responsible for exercising authority with young people, we pray:

For those burdened by heavy-handed or destructive authority, we pray:

For hearts that are open to hear and act upon the life-giving authority of the Gospel, we pray:

For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including, Diane Sparrow, Tyler Christensen, Lisa Vos, Lewis Barbe, Debra Adams, and Pat Scully. May all who suffer be healed by God’s loving touch and by the prayers of this community, we pray:

For those who have died, may they be gathered to the Lord and experience the fullness of light and salvation in Christ, we pray:

 

Presider:

Loving God, grant us the wisdom to discern your word to us in every age and time and circumstance, so that we may be one with you and with one another. We pray in the name of Jesus, your Son, who became your Word on our behalf. Amen.

Presider:

With confidence in our God, let us present our prayers with faith and hope.

 

Reader:

For the Church: that we may faithfully announce the Good News by our lives and draw others to Christ through our deeds of love and compassionate words, we pray:

For those who govern the nations:  may they heed the voice of Jesus and find remedies for injustice, we pray:

For the poor and the needy: may they feel God’s loving hand in their lives, through the love of God’s people, we pray:

For greater respect for human life: that God will bring forth a greater appreciation of the gift of human life within all hearts and give wisdom to those who are faced with difficult decisions, we pray:

For the grace of courage: that we may persevere in following Christ day by day and be guided by the awareness that the reign of God is happening now, we pray:

For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including, Diane Sparrow and Tyler Christensen. May all who suffer be healed by God’s loving touch and by the prayers of this community, we pray:

For those who have died, especially, Dorothy Konkol, the mother of Jeff Konkol, and Laura Stabell, the daughter of Mary Watts. May they be gathered to the Lord and experience the fullness of light and salvation in Christ, we pray:

 

Presider:

Gracious Lord, listen to the prayers we present you. Change our hearts by the power of your Spirit. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Presider:

We entrust the Father with our lives and needs in the same hope as Samuel and the first apostles.

 

Reader:

For the Church: that we may introduce others to Christ and invite them to join us on our journey, we pray:

For leaders throughout the world who are not blind and deaf to the needs of the poor and marginalized, we pray:

For peace: that God will turns hearts from violence and terrorism and heal all who have been wounded, we pray:

For Christian Unity: that God will establish greater understanding and cooperation within the Body of Christ so that all Christians may together announce God’s love and forgiveness, and work together to confront evil and injustice, we pray:

For the grace of recognition: that our hearts may perceive the words, deeds, and experiences that reveal God’s dwelling within us, we pray:

For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including, Florence Smid. May all who suffer be healed by God’s loving touch and by the prayers of this community, we pray:

For all who have died and for all who mourn their passing, we pray:

 

Presider:

Faithful God, you know our weaknesses, yet you never tire of calling us to walk at your side. Graciously answer the prayers we make through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Presider:

On this great feast of Epiphany that celebrates Jesus’ coming for the whole world, we pray for the many needs both here and across the earth.

 

Reader:

That the light of Christ may bring peace to the heart of every man, woman and child, we pray:

That the radiance of Christ may be faithfully witnessed through the preaching, teachings and actions of the church, we pray:

That the light of Christ may bring consolation to all who are disenfranchised and have no permanent home, and for an end to the strife and persecution that has given rise to the refugee crises, we pray:

That the radiance of Christ brings awareness to all people of the plight of migrants.  May we understand the need for greater protection for all God’s children, we pray:

That the light of Christ shine for all who are searching for God or meaning in life: that the Good News may become real to them and be a light that leads them to wholeness, we pray:

That the radiance of Christ may bring comfort to the sick, including, Florence Smid, we pray:

That those who have died are filled with the light of eternal life, especially, Joanne Courchane, the sister of Fr. Tim Wozniak.  That those in the darkness of grief find hope and comfort in the radiance of Christ, we pray:

 

Presider:

Gracious God, you have shown us that your Son is the Messiah King of all peoples. Help us to live in his light through the challenges of our lives and to reflect his glory to all those who cross our paths. We pray in his name. Amen.

Presider:  

Let us pray now for ourselves, our own families, and families across the world.

 

Lector:

For members of the community of the church, the family of God, we pray:

For the people of the world, the family of humanity, we pray:

For families suffering loss, division, or hardship, we pray:

For families separated by distance or military service, we pray:

For those who serve families in crisis, we pray:

For ourselves gathered here, the parish family, we pray:

For those who are ill and have asked for our prayers, including, Florence Smid.  May they be blessed and healed in this coming new year, we pray:

For those who have died, especially, Robin Niemi, the sister in law of Marian and Steve Wilk, and for all our beloved dead and the families that mourn their passing, we pray:

 

 Presider:

Good and gracious God, watch over and protect us and our homes. Strengthen the love which unites families in peace and joy. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.