Prayer for Others: God's Provision

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession inspired by the ways in which God cared for the Israelites while in the wilderness.

Prayer for Others

God,

like the Israelites in the wilderness,

we too have known Your love,

and experienced Your care and provision.

You invite us to extend that 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 the many who do not have enough:

  enough food to eat, or shelter to keep warm;

  enough employment, or money to pay their bills;

  enough medicine or medical care.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

We also pray for those who have more than enough,

  but who still struggle to find meaning and purpose in life;

  who indulge in dangerous or self-serving activities

      to dull their pain or loneliness.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, Your grace reaches out to all of us.

You call us to live as citizens of heaven,

working together with one heart and mind.

Strengthen us to live in a manner worthy

of the Good News we have received,

offering our lives in service of Your 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.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayers of the People: Open Your Hand

Here’s a prayer of intercession which draws on Psalm 145 and Matthew 14:13-21 (the feeding of the 5000).  Feel free to revise it to suit your context.

Prayer of Intercession

(based on Matthew 14:13-21 and Psalm 145:15-16)

Loving God,

You are our Creator and Sustainer.

When You open Your hand,

You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

And so we look to You whenever we are in need,
trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.

As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish,

we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day.

Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.

We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty.

We think especially of the people in Somalia and Eastern Africa

who are facing critical food shortages;

    who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation;

        and watching helplessly as loved ones die.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

We pray for those who are empty emotionally—

who are lonely and long for companionship and love,

        who are caught in the grip of depression,
            or overwhelmed with grief.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

We pray for those who are spiritually empty—

who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn;

    who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look;
        who need You, but do not yet know You.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled. 

God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives.

Pour out Your Spirit on us as well.

Fill us with Your compassion and love,

so that we would willingly share some of our abundance

with those who have need.

Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand.

Pour out Your Spirit, so that we may be filled.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

who came so that all of humanity might come to know

the abundant life that comes from You.

Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Pastoral Prayer: Loving Shepherd

Here’s a pastoral prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday, or any other time when passages like Psalm 23 and John 10 are being used. It was written by Rev. Karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Pastoral Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 23, John 10)

Loving Shepherd,

You lead and guide,

You walk alongside,

You prepare, you feed, you call,

all of your sheep,

even those of us who are lost,

those of us who stray constantly,

those of us who stay close to your comforting staff.

We are grateful for the lush green pastures of our lives,

and we pause now to offer our thanksgivings

for the goodnesses in our lives…

There are so many who walk in the shadows

of fear and suffering and despair,

and we pause now, to offer our prayers

for the broken and bleeding places in this world…

We also offer our prayers for the sheep of our own flocks,

in our families and friends,

in this our church and our community…(pause)

O Loving Shepherd,

We have all we need,

as we live in You.

Amen.

~ written by Rev Karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Prayer of Intercession: Mark 3:23-35

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by Jesus’ words in Mark 3:23-35.  It was written by Rev. Andrea Price.

Prayers of the People

(inspired by Mark 3:23-35)

Heavenly Father, you call us to be your friends and to make friends of others – more even, to recognize in them our brothers and sisters, your family in Christ. So we pray for ourselves and for the world and its people:

We pray for all areas in the world where deep divisions run between ethnic groups because of race, religion or past history. Lord, help your people to be your friends and to make friends – your family in Christ.

We pray for our communities where different traditions shape different outlooks on things. Lord, help your people to listen well to each other that we may learn to live together knowing that though different we are your family in Christ.

We pray for our own families where growing up is difficult, where harsh words spoken in anger are not easily taken back, and hurtful or thoughtless actions are endangering relationships. Lord, empower your children to be patient, slow to anger and to become wise in their speaking and acting as your family in Christ.

Let us pray together the prayer Jesus taught us: Our Father…..

Amen

~ written by Rev. Andrea Price, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Prayers of the People: Lent 5 B

Here’s a prayer of intercession for Lent written by Rick Morley, and posted on the Rick Morley blog.

Prayer of Intercession for Lent 5 B

(based on Psalm 51, John 12:20-33)

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness;

in your great compassion, hear our prayers.

We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers,

and all the holy people of God.

Wash us through and through,
And cleanse us from our sin.

We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth,

and for all who govern and judge.

Purge us from our sin,
And we shall be pure.

We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst,

those who cry out for justice,

those who live under the threat of terror,

and those without a place to lay their head.

Make them hear of joy and gladness,
that those who are broken may rejoice.

We pray for those who are ill, those in pain,

those under stress, and those who are lonely.

Give them the joy of your saving help,
and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.

In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism,

and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength

to repent and grow closer to you, O God.

Create in us clean hearts, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.

We pray for those who have died, (especially _____ )

and who have entered into the land of eternal Light

and your abiding peace.

Cast them not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from them.

We especially pray for…

We pray for…

Lord Jesus,

you taught your disciples that unless a grain of wheat

falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain,

but if it dies it bears much fruit;

as we prepare our hearts to remember your death and resurrection,

grant us the strength and wisdom to serve and follow you,

this day and always. Amen.

~ written by Rick Morley, and posted on his Rick Morley blog. http://www.rickmorley.com/

Prayer: Children of Abram

Here’s a prayer of petition and intercession from John van de Laar at Sacredise.com.

Prayer

(inspired by events in Genesis 12-18)

Long before the change of name,

before the first signs of new life

showed the beginnings of promises fulfilled,

You asked Abram to make his home among foreigners,

and share the blessing that was to come.

And now, O God, you ask the same faith of us:

The faith to count ourselves among the least,

to find our place alongside the poor and broken;

The faith to trust in your mercy and your promises,

and to share what we have received;

The faith to wait expectantly for your reign of justice and equity,

together with those who most need its gifts.

Teach us to be children of Abram, sharers of the blessings we enjoy:

The blessing of plenty shared with those who have need,

The blessing of healing shared with those who are sick and wounded,

The blessing of joy shared with those who celebrate

and of tears shared with those who grieve,

The blessing of friendship shared with those who are excluded,

and of solidarity with those who fight injustice,

The blessing of peace shared with those in conflict,

and of confrontation shared with those who bring harm;

And in some small way, may our faith and our sharing,

help to bring your promises into being

in our world.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar and posted on Sacredise. http://sacredise.com/prayers/type/intercession/children-of-abram/

Prayers of the People: Mark 1: 40-45

Here’s a thoughtful prayer of intercession for February 12, 2012 (Epiphany 6B).  It was written by Rev. Fraser Macnaughton of St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.

The prayer includes a time of silence, during which people are invited to bring their own concerns before God.  Rev. Macnaughton writes: “Often in our services we rush this kind of silence, which for many can be the most helpful part of worship.  Extending it to four or even five minutes can make a real difference for people in their prayer lives.  If you do wish to extend it, perhaps tell people before the prayer begins that a longer period of quiet will be used and that in this silence they will be invited to simply talk to God.”

Prayer of Concern

(inspired by Mark 1:40-45)

We pray for the Christian community.

May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,

help us to live unselfishly and focus on serving others

in the wider community:

We pray for all social outcasts.

May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,

inspire us to regard everyone as a possible neighbour.

Sung response (see below)

We pray for those suffering in mind and spirit.

May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,

help us to care for them with dedication and good humour.

For those excluded from society:

the poor, the refugees, the handicapped.

May the words of Jesus and His healing touch,

help us to love them and come to their aid,

just as Jesus.

Sung response

Let us pray, in the silence of our hearts,

for our own personal intentions:

(pause in silent prayer….)

Sung response

God who saves, Your Son can restore the outcast,

have mercy on us.

Stretch out Your hand over us and touch us

and we will be saved.  Amen.

Note: Rev. Macnaughton suggests using the refrain of the Maillaig Sprinkling Song. 

            Jesus is living, Jesus is here.

            Jesus my Lord, come closer to me.

            Jesus our Saviour, dying for me,

            and rising to save his people.

~ written by the Rev. Fraser Macnaughton, St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.  Posted on the Church of Scotland’s excellent Starters for Sunday website. 

Intercession: Epiphany 5B

Here’s a prayer of intercession written by Rev. Fraser Macnaughton for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany. 

Prayer of Concern

God, we wait, we watch, we long for you.  Renew our powers, refresh our spirits, restore our well being; for you give new strength to the faint and power to the powerless.  May your church be found working among those who lack resources or rights.  May we seek to care for those who cannot care for themselves. We pray for the lowly and the humiliated.  We pray for relief organizations, especially….  God, be to them a tower of strength.

We pray for the great powers of the world, the strong nations, and mighty governments.  May their power be used properly that the poor are protected, the weak are not exploited, and no one is oppressed.  We pray too for multinational corporations who often wield more power than many governments, that in their relentless pursuit of profit they may take those steps of compassion and concern which will benefit them as well as those powerless to stop them.

We give thanks for all who have cared for us in times of weakness; for those who have uplifted our spirits and given us new hope.  We pray for our friends and families, especially any who are finding life difficult at the moment.  We pray for any in our community that may feel neglected or rejected.

We pray for all who are in weakness of body, mind or spirit, all who have come to the end of their tether. We think of all who are losing their mobility or agility, those who are losing their memories, and all who have lost their grip on reality; of those who no longer trust in anyone, and those who doubt the love of God; we think of all who are caring for loved ones in illness.

We give thanks that Christ is our healer and our companion on the Way; he will not allow us to be lost.  We pray for loved ones departed who are renewed and refreshed in the love and light of God.  May the Light of the world truly be that lamp set out on the lampstand to them.  Amen.

~ written by Rev. Fraser Macnaughton, of the St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.  Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. 

Prayer for Others: Proper 23A

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 23A. Feel free to revise this prayer to suit your needs.

Prayer of Intercession

(based on Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106, 
Philippians 4:1-9 and Matthew 22:1-14)

God, we come into Your presence

   with praise and thanksgiving for Your faithful love.

Your love never fails—not even we turn away from You:

   when we ignore Your invitation,

   or desert You for gods of our own making.

Even then You do not abandon us,

   but reach out—again and again—

   inviting us back into relationship once more.

As You welcome us, so You welcome our prayers.

We bring them to You with confidence,

   knowing that You will hear and answer.

We pray for the world You created, and the people who share it with us:

   - for countries caught up in war or violent conflict,

    - for regions of the world struggling with increased cases of COVID-19,

   - for those whose homes and lives are threatened by natural disaster;

For these and all the other areas in our world

   where there is need and despair,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our country and for its people:

   - for our government leaders, federal and local,

   - for our judicial system, police forces and military,

   - for our cities, towns, and rural communities,

   - for employers and employees, for young and old,

For all who are part of this great country,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our local community—the people of this city/town,

   - for those who are unemployed,

   - for those in prison,

   - for those who are hungry,

   - for those who are alone and afraid,

For all our neighbours, both known and unknown to us,

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for this congregation—our brothers and sisters in Christ,

   - for those who are ill. or whose loved ones are ill,

   - for those who are anxious about the future,

   - for those struggling with their faith,

   - for those who minister among us,

For all Your people in this place,

Lord, hear our prayer.

Pour out Your Spirit on us!

Fix our hearts and minds on what is true and honourable and right.

Give us the joy and peace that comes from knowing and doing Your will.

Keep us faithful to the call we have received in Christ Jesus, our Lord,

   extending Your loving invitation to the world around us.

In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

~ Christine Longhurst, re:Worship

Prayers of the People: Proper 21 A

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)

Because nothing is impossible for You, O God,
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