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3/04/07
Prayers of the
People
Our gracious heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you that out of
your grace, which for us is incomprehensible, you humbled yourself,
giving your very Son’s life, that you could exalt us to be members of
your eternal life and love. We
praise you and thank you that in Jesus Christ you chose to come to us,
to become one of us, and after our fall into sin, you chose to be judged
in our place. You have
fulfilled the covenant between you and us, with our Lord Jesus Christ
standing in our place and doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
By the Holy Spirit you have implanted the very faith of our
resurrected Savior in our hearts; for this we worship you, praise you,
thank you, seeking to give of our lives to your will.
We pray for your church here and in every land.
Let us grow in what it means to share and live in your love, and
not to be wrestling over legalities that we disagree upon. As your
congregation, we do seek your leading us in new aspects of ministry.
Help us to reach out to our community.
Show us how to spread your gospel and bless others with your
presence here among us.
We pray to you for all who rule and hold authority throughout this whole
world: for those who are good, that you would preserve them; for those
who are evil, that you would convert their hearts or bring their power
to an end as you see fit. We
know you oppose tyranny and disorder that make people oppressed and
suffering. Please lead us,
as the church to Jesus Christ to have a ministry to those in need.
We pray to you for the poor, the sick, the helpless, people in prisons,
for all of us who suffer things which you alone know of.
Bring your comfort through an experience of your presence into
these lives that we may all be encountered by the true faith, hope, and
love that is in Jesus Christ.
Eternal God, you create us by your power and redeem us by your love.
Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit that we may give ourselves
in love and service to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Amen
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