Prayers
Prayers of Intercession
August 29, 2010
With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation.
Dear Lord, in today's Proverbs we are taught to display humility in order to be lifted up as righteous, and we are told in the Psalms that as the righteous we will be blessed. We know that we cannot earn these blessings; that they flow from your graciousness. Do we deserve to be so richly blessed? As your servants, we humbly beseech you to continue these wonderful blessings and we take it upon ourselves to wear the humility we know we should display.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
In our small lives we still live at war, tolerating the deaths and injuries of our soldiers in far off lands. Is war at such a distance really a war? Of course it is, just as real as if it were marching down Cedar Avenue! How can we hold our heads up as the righteous and bask in your favor when we allow such horror in the world?
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
On another front, we have a deepening recession in our country that affects us all much more than we are caused to admit. There are pundits that we hear predicting recession for at least another decade, yes, at least ten more years. We must each and every one take measures to ensure that our loved ones and that for which we stand can survive this decimating financial crisis. Our families, our friends, our church, our system of education, our country, all that we hold sacred is at risk. Help us to take notice and do something positive.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Just over a year ago we, as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, took bold measures to respect our diversity and celebrate our unity. How have we done in accepting this challenge, this new pathway? Does our report card show good grades, or does it simply say, incomplete?
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Summer is drawing to a close and we thank you for the blessings we have received through travels near and far, for family gatherings and for vacations and weekends away from our everyday lives. Refreshed, let us "settle in" to those wonderful everyday lives in your grace as school starts again for our young and routines once again give us structure
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Dear Lord, today we pray especially for: LaVonne and family, Brenda and family, Dixie and family, family of Jerry C., Joni, Linda, Elaine and family, Jack, Marv, LaVonne's sister, Steve, Tracie, Maggie, those seeking employment, all service personnel and their families including Brandon, Scott, Chrissy, Brent, and Corey who is back in California; and Lord please protect and bless the Santa Elena Church of Guatemala; as well as those we now name aloud and in our hearts.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Finally Lord, we give you thanks and praise for the lives that you have given us to enjoy. Let us always be deeply grateful for the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of your son, Christ Jesus.
Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
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