God of salvation,
who sent Your Son to seek out and save what is lost,
hear our prayers
on behalf of those who are lost in our day,
receiving these petitions and thanksgivings
with your unending compassion.
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 who will listen to them.
We pray for the wounded and diseased
who have inadequate care,
and for the pampered
who turn ill health into an obsession.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father.
O God, we pray for people who are dying
with no one to mourn them,
and for those who mourn
with no one to comfort them.
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.
O God who created fathers,
Who fathers us as lover of our souls,
We thank You for caring for us
with kindness and attentiveness,
with celebration and generosity,
with creativity and love.
We pray for those who don’t have fathers
For those who have painful relationships with their fathers,
For those who are fathers of children,
For those who are spiritual fathers,
For those whose ideas about fathering need reinventing.
Be our Good Father.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
You hear us calling,
You hear us calling,
Abba Father.
Lord Jesus, when You multiplied the loaves and fishes,
You provided more than food for the body,
You offered us the gift of yourself,
the gift which satisfies every hunger
and quenches every thirst.
Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt,
but You poured out Your love and compassion on the crowd,
welcoming them as brothers and sisters.
O God, today You call us
to welcome the members of God's family
who come to our land to escape oppression,
poverty, persecution, violence, and war.
Like Your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt
and even suspicion.
We use fear, doubt, and even Your words
to build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.
Give us the strength to stand with and for
Your inclusive love,
And the faith to believe another world
is necessary and possible.
Let it begin with us.
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.