For most of my ministry, I led Sunday morning worship out of the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978, Augsburg Publishing House). The order of service was the traditional Lutheran liturgy. Near the end of the service each week was the “The Prayer of the Church,” with a recommended format (along with other options). In the option I used most often, there would be an invitation to prayer, several petitions with the congregation responding “Hear our prayer,” and then a conclusion. The Lord’s Prayer would follow. Today’s meditation is based on that format, though this is longer than a usual Sunday morning prayer.
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Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, may we in your Church be conformed to your Son, Jesus Christ, and not to the world. Grant that we may always faithfully proclaim Jesus as our Lord, offering his self-giving love, forgiveness, and purity to those who deny, or have forgotten, such things even exist. In all its words and deeds, guide the Church to confess Jesus as our Savior, who bears and heals the world’s sickness, sorrow, and brokenness of body and soul. We ask your protection and guidance for all missionaries of the Gospel who are bringing that Gospel to the ends of the earth. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
We pray, Lord, that you bless our congregation with your protection and favor. Make us ever mindful that as part of your Church on earth, we reflect Jesus’ name and character to this community. We pray that we may prove to be good witnesses to you, and to what you have done for us. Grant that this congregation be a place of refuge, hope, and salvation for all, especially the most vulnerable of your people. Grant each of us a spirit of charity, patience, and love, making us willing to work with, share with, and serve one another. Give us the grace, wisdom, and kindness to be true friends and good neighbors. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
We pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world. They follow in the suffering steps of Jesus, bearing their cross in faithful obedience to him. Sustain, protect, bless, and provide for them; and help us, whose crosses are lighter, to bear their burdens however we can. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
We pray this morning for our elected and appointed officials: for our President, our Congress, our Justices, and for our state and local officials. We thank You for these men and women and ask Your blessings upon them. Give them wisdom in their offices, so that they may serve You faithfully as they serve the people entrusted to them. Whether they be Christians or not, we ask for Your sustaining hand upon them, that as they are blessed, so too will our land be prospered. We pray for those in public service who do not know you, that they would turn to Christ, and thus know the One Who has called them into service. Lord, in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
Bless and guide all the peoples of this world, so that they may put their trust not in any earthly ruler, but in your wise governance and gracious commands. Conform the minds of earthly leaders to your commandments; and grant them strength to accomplish their responsibilities in accordance with your will. Remove from all the allure of sin, the temptation of power, and the seduction of earthly gain. Teach all nations to live peaceably with one another, to share generously the gifts of your creation, and to work for the common good. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
Almighty God, you are King of all nations; and yet, in these troubled times, good men and women must stand in harm’s way to defend life and liberty. Strengthen, protect, and guide those who serve to protect us, defend our liberty, and establish justice here and abroad. Show them your steadfast love, direct their deeds in righteous pathways, and restore them to their loved ones when their task is done. Give them cool heads and steady hands as they accomplish their duties, and grant success to all they do that serves your will. Bring healing and hope to those who are wounded, honor to those who fall, and comfort to their loved ones. Remind us to value their service and sacrifices. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
We pray for our local police, first responders, and the many others who serve and protect us in our communities. Fill them with wisdom, courage, and understanding, so that they might defend life, establish safety, and bring justice and peace to people whose lives are threatened by tragedy, chaos, or crime. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
We pray on behalf of everyone who cries out to you for help in time of trouble, suffering, distress, or grief; especially _____. Bless all caretakers with the gifts of gentleness, patience, and compassion. Thank you for all who help and serve those who cannot care for themselves. Give them a double portion of your Spirit. Use their skills and our support and prayers to bring healing and comfort the abused, imprisoned, sick, wounded, lonely, confused, grieving, or dying. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
Keep us steadfast in faith, firm in hope, constant in love, generous in service, and abundant in joy as we continue our earthly pilgrimage. Fill us with confidence that we can always turn to you with all our needs and all our cares. Help us to encourage one another, to be content no matter what our circumstances may be, and to be at peace with all. Guard and guide us safely through the troubles, trials, and temptations of this brief life. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
Most holy God, keep in your tender care all who have died trusting in your promises. Comfort those who mourn, not only with words, but with the sure and certain hope that in Christ, we receive eternal healing and salvation for body and soul. Raise us up on the last day and bring us into the blessed Kingdom where we find our eternal life and joy in friendship with you and with all your people. Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer.
Into your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Now, may the blessing of God, the giver of every good and perfect gift; and of Christ, who summons us to service; and of the Holy Spirit, who inspires faith, generosity, and love, be with us all. Amen.
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