Lord God, friend of those in need,
your Son Jesus has freed us of our burdens
and healed our spirits.
We lift up the prayers of those still burdened,
those seeking healing,
and those in need.
You call us to love and serve you
With our body, mind, and spirit,
By loving your creation
And our sisters and brothers.
Open our hearts in compassion
And receive our prayers
On behalf of the needs of the church and the world.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome
We pray for your Church gathered around the world,
for its members and its mission.
We recognize that we are all part of one body
focused on bringing your image to bear
in a world that has greatly distorted your image
and what it means to be human.
Just as your body is broken and blood is shed in the Eucharist,
so break us and pour us out
That our lives might be a gift to our neighbors.
Draw your Church together, O God, into one great company of disciples,
Together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life,
Together serving him in his mission to the world,
And together witnessing to his love on every corner and every margin.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome
O God our Creator,
When you speak there is light and life.
When you act there is love and justice.
Grant that your voice may be in the mouths of those in authority,
and your actions may be present in the works of our government,
so that what we say and what we do as a nation would be filled with your Holy Spirit.
Your word says, “Let the humble hear and receive,”
So we ask for humility in our leaders and those in power,
That they might hear your word
and not only receive your mercy,
But extend that mercy to others.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome
We confess, O God, that we pray to you to protect us from our enemies
but we do not find ways to love and pray for our enemies.
Teach us and all people to respect everyone as your children,
Created in your image as a dream come true.
Help us to honor the dignity of all people,
to work out differences,
to pursue paths toward reconciliation, forgiveness,
and the rebuilding of communities with hope.
Hear our prayer,
Hear your people.
Turn our hearts to you,
Make us whole again
Hear our prayer,
Hear your people.
Turn our hearts to you,
Make us one.
We pray for the poor, hungry, and neglected all over the world,
that their cries for daily bread may inspire works of compassion and mercy among those to whom much has been given.
We pray for schools and centers of learning throughout the world,
for those who lack access to basic education,
and for the light of knowledge to blossom and shine
in the lives of all people.
We pray for the health of women, children, and families around the world,
Especially for an end to maternal and child mortality,
That in building healthy families,
All people may be empowered to strengthen their communities,
Repair the breaches that divide nations and peoples,
And undergird the love and care for the other
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome.
Love shall overcome,
Love shall overcome.
Hear our prayers,
That we may love you with our whole being,
And willingly share the concerns of our neighbors.
Loving God, open our ears to hear your word,
And draw us closer to you,
That the whole world may be one with you,
As you are one with us in Christ Jesus, our Lord,
In whose name we offer these prayers. Amen.
Hear our prayer,
Hear your people.
Turn our hearts to you,
Make us whole again
Hear our prayer,
Hear your people.
Turn our hearts to you,
Make us one.