Here’s
a pastoral prayer inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Lent 5A,
including Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones) and John
11:1-45 (Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead).
It was posted on the Reformed
Church in America website.
Prayer of
Intercession
(inspired
by Ezekiel 37: 1-14, John 11: 1-45)
O
God, who always listens to us,
who
breathes new life into us,
call us forward to
resurrection.
We
are surrounded by a world of dry bones,
a
world of death and despair,
a
world where we lose hope in our structures, ourselves, and you.
We
pray for this world in need of your Word:
for
all the people in it . . .
for
those who lay down their lives . . .
for
those who lead . . .
Silence
O
God, who always listens to us,
who
breathes new life into us,
call us forward to
resurrection.
We
are surrounded by people with dried up lives,
people
unable to see your life past their tears.
We
pray for this world in need of your healing presence:
for
those who are imprisoned or alone,
those
ill or infirm, or grieving, especially . . .
Silence
O
God, who always listens to us,
who
breathes new life into us,
call us forward to
resurrection.
We
are spellbound by those dry bones,
terrified
of the stink of death,
and
often too dumbfounded to call forth life in your name.
We
pray for your chosen people, your Church . . .
We
pray for the courage not just to follow you to death,
but
to follow you to the New Creation.
Silence
O
God, who always listens to us,
who
breathes new life into us,
call us forward to
resurrection.
Call
us to follow in the footsteps of your Son,
Jesus
Christ, our Savior,
who
taught us when we pray to say:
Our
Father in heaven . . .
~
copyright © 2008, Brummhart Publishing, DeFreestville, NY. Posted on the Reformed Church in America website. https://www.rca.org/
