Here are the Prayers of the People from this past weekend at Sanctuary:
O God, we praise you for your abiding guidance
for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
We offer these prayers of love
on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.
Let us pray:
Gracious God,
In love You created us,
and in love You sustain us, day after day.
So it is with confidence that we bring our prayers to You,
knowing that You hear us, and will respond.
You hear us calling
You hear us calling
Abba Father
We offer our prayers for the world around us.
We pray for those who find themselves in bondage:
those forced into slavery or prostitution,
those oppressed by governments or economic systems,
those enslaved by personal addictions.
We pray for those who struggle to raise their children
in the midst of violence or poverty;
those who can only stand by and watch as their sons or daughters die
of starvation or malnutrition,
of preventable disease,
or from gang violence.
We pray for those who refuse to participate in violence or injustice, who courageously stand up for what they know is right, regardless of the personal consequences.
We also pray for those who oppress others,
who are unable to break free from cycles of violence and anger, who are no longer able to empathize with their victims.
We pray for all who suffer this day,
whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
May Your presence surround and sustain each one,
so that they may know your love and live.
You hear us calling
You hear us calling
Abba Father
O God, we pray for those caught in the path of Hurricane Harvey;
For the hundreds of thousands left without power,
without food,
without shelter.
Grant them safety and give grace to the first responders and teams
Rushing in to provide relief and rescue.
Finally, God, we pray for the members of your Body here on earth.
Break down the barriers that divide us from one another.
Unite us in our common allegiance to you as Lord and Savior.
Grant us compassion and humility in our relationships.
Release the gifts you have given to each one,
So that your kingdom might come and your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy