Prayer of Intercession: Easter 7 C


Here’s a prayer of intercession based on the suggested scripture readings for the seventh Sunday of Easter, Year C.  It comes from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada website.

Prayers of the People

In this Easter season, we celebrate the many gifts which you bestow upon your people. We also reflect upon the challenging call to live as a new creation in Christ.  Recognizing both the blessing and call to service in Christ's resurrection, we pray saying "Christ is risen" and respond, "Christ is risen indeed".

God of the Church, your apostles were persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Such suffering continues today in the face of human cruelty and intolerance. We pray for all who are  persecuted for the sake of their faith and political beliefs. Strengthen the work of organizations such as Amnesty International, which seek to disclose and put an end to these great injustices.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

God of righteousness, empower us weak-willed human beings to be faithful to the promises made in affirming our baptisms: to reject Satan and all his empty promises. Help us to discern your will from our own selfish desires.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

God of justice, your Son began his ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, in which the blind are given sight and the oppressed released from bondage. Give us grace to enact the vision of that kingdom, by living lives of service that are dedicated to justice.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

God of the weak, be with those who suffer and their friends and families who keep vigil with them. We remember_____ in our prayers.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

God of all people, it is both a gift and a responsibility to have Christ dwelling in us. Let us be truly grateful and willing to live as one with the Lord.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Hear our prayers, Heavenly Father, considering all things spoken and unspoken. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

~ from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s Lift Up Your Hearts archive. http://www.worship.ca/