Time after Pentecost (August 17, 2014)
(Congregation may be invited to be seated for prayer.)
With the prayer “God of new life” you are invited to respond
HEAR OUR PRAYER
1. Gracious and merciful God. incline your ear and hear this morning our pleas for ourselves, our family, our church and the nations:
A brief period of silence.
- Lord, your house is meant to be a house of prayer for all peoples, for all outcasts, and for all who search for meaning in their life.. We pray that you would bless each house of prayer as they seek to be a blessing to others. In particular we pray for our partner Anglican Church of Canada and for the congregations of our BC Synod:for Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Surrey and their pastor, Henry Guo; and for Hope Lutheran Church in Nanaimo and their pastor, Terry Richardson. Continue to empower each faith community to be a witness to your love and your care.
God of new life: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
- May your mighty Spirit lead our political leaders to work for justice, peace, security for all their citizens. Uphold those individuals who offer their lives so that others may have security, food and medical care. Protect them as they carry out their precious ministry and give us a heart to support their ministries in prayers and with our offerings.
God of new life: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
- Embrace all of creation in your loving arms and show us your way to care for your earth. Bless and encourage the work of scientists who seek to understand the atmosphere and the oceans so that endangered species would be protected. Open the minds and the heart of all to heed their findings.
God of new life: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
- Shine your face upon those in need of healing, care and understanding. We pray especially for those we name aloud or quietly at this time…
Help us in this coming week to recognize and respond to the needs of our neighbor.
Hear us, O God: YOUR MERCY IS GREAT.
- God, we thank you for how you continue to surprise us with your blessings:
– we thank you for challenging us to take care for our deeds and our thoughts;
– we thank you for those who have known the gift of another birthday, another anniversary, or the gift of new life;
– finally, we thank you for those special blessings we name at this time….
May our words and our actions give encouragement to all we encounter in this coming week.
God of new life: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
- As you gather the faithful who have died into your eternal home, remind us of everything they have taught us about love and compassion. May we leave behind us memories of our love for you and the church.
God of new life: HEAR OUR PRAYER.
- We lift our prayers to you, God of mercy, confident that all things are in your hands. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
