Friends in Christ,
God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
as dear to us as our own needs.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
on behalf of the church and the world.

O God, we pray for those who have power
without the wisdom to use it well,
and for those who have wisdom
without the power to apply it.

We pray for people who want to learn
but have no teacher,
and some who have much to teach
but no one will listen to them.

You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father

O God, we pray for those who have been forced to retire too early,
and for those who are overworked and long for retirement.

For some people who are famous
yet long for some privacy,
and some who are lonely
and long for recognition and company.

We pray for those who are too tender-hearted
and need to be toughened
and for those who are tough
and need to be made gentle.

For the wounded and diseased
who have inadequate care,
and for the pampered
who turn ill-health into an obsession.

You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father

For people who are dying
with no one to mourn them,
and for those who mourn
with no one to comfort them.

We pray for all who remain cheerful
in the midst of poverty and grave handicap,
and for some who are disgruntled
in spite of plenty and good health.

Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy

Heavenly Father, you love all as one human family,
yet deal with us individually as if we were the only child you have.
Please give to us your generous and practical spirit,
so that our prayers may be converted into action.

Redeeming Sustainer, visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them generously and faithfully in your name.
Amen.

Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy