Prayers of the People: Matthew 25: 31-46

Here’s a prayer of intercession based on Matthew 25: 31-46, the gospel reading for New Year's worship (January 1, 2011). 

General Intercessions

Let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ for all those who need our compassion and care, for all those who commit themselves to the poorest and for those who are afraid to be involved. Let us say:
Lord, make us serve you in people.

For all who have lost their way in life we cry out to you to make the Church welcome them and give them you and your Good News to live for, we pray:
Lord, make us serve you in people.

With all people driven from their homes, with the many victims of war and civil strife, with all strangers living in foreign lands, we cry out that people may be hospitable to them, and so we pray:
Lord, make us serve you in people.

With all those who hunger for food, who thirst for justice, who crave for human dignity, we cry out that we may hear your voice in them, and so we pray:
Lord, make us serve you in people.

With all those who care for the sick and the handicapped, with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, we cry out that we may recognize you in those who need affectionate, loving care. And so we pray:
Lord, make us serve you in people.

With all those who are imprisoned because of their convictions, with all those who are persecuted; who are prisoners of their hatred, their greed or their failings, we ask you to free them, and so we pray:
Lord, make us serve you in people.

The voices that cry out to us, the eyes that plead with us, may we recognize you in them, Lord, and love you in them. Be near to us, now and for ever. Amen.


For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.