Prayers of the People
Dear gracious heavenly Father,
It is by your will that we have all been brought here today, together,
as brothers and sisters in the work that you have done in the very being
of our lives. We thank you! We
praise you! And we seek
within our own hearts to experience your love in new ways, and to
discern your reality in our lives in ways that will make us connect with
the new lives you have already given us in Christ.
We pray for your church here and your church all over this world.
Renew your churches that have fallen asleep. Bless them with a new awareness of how available you are.
For your churches who suffer persecution, especially in certain
parts of this world, fill them with your joy and your confidence.
And may all your churches grow in new insights into your good
news for us in Jesus Christ?
We pray to you for all who rule and hold authority throughout the whole
world: for those who are good, that you would preserve them; for those
who are not promoting good, that you would convert their hearts or bring
their power to an end as you see fit; for them all. We pray that you
would show yourself to them as the one whose servants they are and must
remain.
We pray for you to oppose tyranny, terrorism, and disorder; to help all
oppressed nations and persons to gain their rights.
We certainly think of our brothers and sisters serving our nation
in the military; we pray for their protection.
We pray to you for the poor, the sick, the helpless, the disturbed, for
all who suffer things which you alone know of.
Comfort them with your presence and with the help of your
kingdom.
And for us, we pray that we will be guided by your Spirit to bring out
love in one another and never neglect our being together in the name of
Jesus Christ; with whom, and in whose presence we pray.
Amen
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