We thank you, precious Lord, for gathering us into this sanctuary—a safe and holy place—as we pray for those who are in places far less safe and comfortable than this house. Award them a greater sanctuary through the omnipresence of your Holy Spirit and grant them your peace.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
In a moment we caught a glance of the world with all the beauty and goodness that you planned for it and all the horror and suffering that we have brought to it. We have seen ourselves as you see us everyday–as Christ sees us from the cross–and its is more than we can bear. Forgive us for any harm we have brought to your Garden, and make us instruments of your peace.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer
We pray to you Lord for all those who stand alone and suffer alone so that through our united prayers they may know the comfort of your presence and of our hearts. Where they are imprisoned or abandoned, save them from despair Give them hope. When they come to the hour of death, receive them into your kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
We pray for children who have seen to soon the depths of evil that people can do to each other. If they may not be granted forgetfulness, then give them a remembrance of true love and greater joys. Bless the children with an imagination that is greater than any evil.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
We pray for those employed in the hard work of delivering justice through military service that the hardness of their work may not harden their hearts.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
As we pray for those separated from us by oceans, we ask that you open our hearts to those near enough for us to touch: the abandoned, the helpless, the imprisoned, the children of our community. We who have received your comfort come to you with confidence and pray we might be a comfort to those who have suffered.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer.
Do not forget your people Almighty God but send forth a mighty call for more servants to labor in the Gospel; for an increase in pastors and missionaries; chaplains and teachers; Granting them a heart of love, sincere speech, the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit; that Christ’s word of grace may be heard and believed in every part of the world.
Lord, in your mercy…Hear our prayer and grant us your peace.
As you have gathered us in one place and joined us in one heart, hear us as we offer you with one voice this our common prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
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