23rd Sunday after Pentecost Lectionary 21 (August 25, 2013)

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rev. Gerald Mitchinson

click here to download a copy of the prayers

(Congregation may be invited to be seated for prayer.)

With the prayer “God in your great compassion” you are invited to respond…
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1. Confident in God’s enduring love; let us lift up the needs of the church, the world, and all of creation.

A brief moment of silence and reflection

2. Deliver your church from all that binds and limits its outreach. Free each of its members as they continue to seek your truth in their daily lives.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER

3. Continue to motivate your church to be a courageous community that cares for others. We pray for our partner Anglican Church of Canada and for all communities of faith. In particular at this time we pray for the congregations of our BC Synod: for Ascension Lutheran Church in Nelson and their pastor, Noland Gingrich; for Mount Zion Lutheran Church in New Westminster, and their pastor, Marlys Moen; and for directors, the pastors, volunteers and all the people who provide the ministry of Surrey Urban Mission and the Lutheran Urban mission in Vancouver.

May all your people—the children, the young and elderly give of their time and their presence so that the church might radiate the love of God.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER

4. Save us from lives and schedules filled with too much activity. Free us to be a Sabbath people who take time for worship, rest and renewal.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER

5. Uphold the oppressed, liberate those in bondage, and strengthen those who labor under the yoke of repressive government. In the many lands of turmoil give us courageous and wise peace makers… along with the support of courageous people.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER

6. Rescue all who are in harms way, sustain the poor and hungry, heal those who are ill or afflicted. We pray especially for those we name aloud or quietly in our heart at this time.

In this coming week, empower us to be your hands of love, understanding and compassion.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER.

7. God, you are the giver of those good things we experience in our daily living;
– we thank you for the gift and the meaning of the Sabbath in our daily lives;
– we thank you for the interruptions in our lives to care for others;
– and we thank you for those who have known the gift of another birthday, another anniversary …

– Finally, we thank you for those special blessings we name at this time….
God, in your great compassion: HEAR OUR PRAYER.

8. Bestow on your creation ample rain and an abundant harvest for the good of this land and beyond. Cultivate in us a fresh respect, love and a deep humility for the environment.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER

9. Gather us at the last with all your saints and bring us in awe and joy to your unshakable kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem.
God, in your great compassion:
HEAR OUR PRAYER

10. God of mercy, hear the cries of your people, and answer us according to your steadfast love; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN.

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