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4/08/07
Prayers of the People
Our gracious heavenly Father, our God, you are a God of majesty; you are
holy, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, whom you sent to
save us. He came with
healing in his touch, and was wounded for our sins.
He came with mercy in his voice, and was mocked as one despised.
He came with peace in his heart, and met with violence and death.
By your power he broke free from the prison of the tomb, and at his
command the gates of hell were opened.
The one who was dead now lives.
The one who humbled himself is raised to rule over all creation,
the Lamb upon the throne. The
one ascended on high is with us always, as he promised.
We thank you! We praise you!
We seek to serve you!
We bring before you now all that troubles us: our failings, errors, our
trails and our sufferings, also our rebelliousness and bitterness during
times of pain—we bring you our whole life and our whole heart, which
you know better than we know it ourselves.
We place all this in your faithful hands which you have stretched
out to us in our Savior. Take us as we are; raise up those who are weak, enrich from
your fullness those who are poor at any level in their lives.
Strengthen this congregation in its work and worship.
Fill our hearts with your self-giving love that our voices may
speak your praise, and our lives may conform to the image of your Son. Nourish us with your Word and sacraments that we may
faithfully minister in your name, and witness to your love and grace for
all the world.
God of compassion, bless us and those we love, our friends and families;
that, drawing close to you, we may be drawn closer to each other.
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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