Here’s a possible prayer of intercession for Proper 21, Year A, based on the suggested scripture readings for that day: Exodus 17:1-7 (where God makes water flow from a rock in the wilderness); Matthew 21:23-32 (the parable of the two sons); and Philippians 2:1-13 (where Paul encourages believers to live with humility, imitating the example of Jesus Christ). Feel free to revise this prayer to suit your needs.
Prayer of Intercession
God,
You are a God of compassion and love.
Time after time we have experienced your care and provision.
Time after time You’ve answered our prayers and met our needs—
often in ways we could never have dreamed possible.
We praise You for Your faithful love toward us.
Because we have known Your love,
we come to You with confidence,
offering our prayers for the world that You love.
We see so much pain and suffering;
so much anger and frustration and despair.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the needs around us.
But we continue to bring our prayers to You in faith,
because we know that nothing is impossible for You.
You are the God who rained down bread from heaven,
and made water flow from a rock in the desert;
the God who resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead,
and who brings new life and hope to all who believe.
For You, all things are possible.
Hear our prayers.
We pray for those suffering the effects of recent natural disasters....
(insert petitions here)
(insert petitions here)
Because nothing is impossible for You, O God,
hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.
hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.
We pray for the regions of our world caught up in violence and threats of violence:
(insert petitions here)
Because nothing is impossible for You, O God,
hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.
We pray for those who live with serious illness,
those with chronic pain,
those without access to proper medical care,
those for whom treatment is no longer an option.
Because nothing is impossible for You, O God,
hear our prayer, and in Your love, answer.
Merciful God,
You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to show us a different way to live—
the way of deep humility and obedience.
You’ve called us to love one another,
and to work together with one heart and mind,
balancing our needs with the needs of those around us.
Give us courage to follow faithfully, and with integrity—
with actions that bear witness to the words we speak,
and worship that overflows into our daily tasks and relationships—
so that our lives will bring glory and honour to You,
our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.
~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship
