Here’s a prayer of intercession for September 18, 2011 (Proper 20A). I’ve based it on the suggested scripture passages for that day, including Exodus 16:2-15 (where God sends manna and quail to feed the Israelites in the wilderness); Philippians 1:21-30 (where Paul encourages the new believers to live as citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom); and Matthew 20:1-16 (where Jesus tells the parable of the labourers in the vineyard). Feel free to revise this prayer to suit your needs.
For another prayer of intercession based on these passages, see Prayers of the People: Proper 20A.
Prayer of Intercession
(Ex. 16:2-15; Phil. 1:21-30; Matt. 20:1-16)
God,
like the Israelites in the wilderness,
we too have known Your love,
and experienced Your care and provision.
You call us to extend Your love to the world around us—
to care for others as deeply as we care for ourselves.
And so we bring the needs of our world before You now.
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who do not have what they need in order to survive;
those without enough food to eat, or shelter to keep them warm;
those without employment, or enough money to pay their bills;
those without access to medical care, or medicine to keep them healthy.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have more than enough to meet their needs,
but who continue to feel empty inside;
who struggle to find meaning and purpose in life,
who turn to alcohol, drugs, or other destructive behaviours
to try and hide the pain,
who entertain thoughts of suicide.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are struggling physically,
who are battling life-threatening disease or injury,
who are living with chronic pain,
who are coping with Alzheimers,
or facing death.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of the first and the last,
and all those in between,
Your grace reaches out to all of us—
life-long believers or newcomers alike.
You call us to live as citizens of heaven,
to work together with one mind and one purpose,
to reach out in love to those in need.
Strengthen us so that we might live in a manner worthy
of the Good News we have received,
offering our lives to the building up of Your upside-down kingdom,
where the last are first, and the first are last,
and there is grace enough for all.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, Amen.
