You hear us calling.
You hear us calling.
Abba Father.
O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection,
teaching them to love all people as neighbors.
As his disciples in this age,
we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe
in which we are privileged to live
and our neighbors with whom we share it.
We pray for your church gathered around the world.
As we recognize Ascension Day
we are recognizing your rule in the world - here and now.
Help us to live in a way that acknowledges you are not absent,
but King of kings and Lord of Lords;
Even here, even now you are Lord in the midst of our pain and suffering,
our joy and celebration, and we submit to the Rule of Christ in our lives
You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father.
Shepherding God,
the Psalmist assures us that you walk with us in the darkest of valleys,
that your rod and staff will bring us comfort,
that we will find a banquet table set before us,
even in the midst of our enemies,
that goodness and mercy will be our companions on the road of life.
We rest in the assurance that your promises are true and sure,
that you will lead us to green pastures,
that you will guide us to find still waters to nourish our souls.
You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father.
O God we pray for the people of Manchester.
At an event that was supposed to bring joy and unity
We found death and destruction.
We pray for the lives lost - innocent men, women, and children.
This world could not keep them safe and so we turn to you, O God
To wrap them in your love and grant them justice.
Give peace to those who are left to pick up the pieces of their lives,
Those putting children to sleep without a parent, friend, or sibling;
Those laying to rest sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, loved ones and colleagues.
Give grace to the first responders
and those who ran into the face of danger for the sake of others.
Help us to continue to live in a way that bears witness to your kingdom of love and mercy
in a world torn apart by injustice, intolerance, and hate.
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy.
Guide us in the path of discipleship,
so that, as you have blessed us,
we may be a blessing for others,
bringing the promise of the kingdom near
by our words and deeds.
All of this we ask in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
One God, now and forever.
Amen.
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy.