Come, let us unite in prayer for all God’s people.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God of all that is, we ask that you would hear our prayers for the whole of creation. We come before you as your faithful people, asking that you hear our prayers and answer us.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us pray for the church, gathered here an elsewhere.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God of all places, your people are scattered throughout the world. Some are free to worship as they wish while others are persecuted for their faith. Open our eyes to the freedoms we have in this country and grant us the courage to stand with those who are dying for their faith in you. No matter our differences, we are the body of Christ. We pray for the leaders of all Christian denominations, and those of other faith traditions, that we may unite to create peace in your name.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us pray for all the peoples of the world.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God whose love knows no boundaries, may our lives be reflections of your grace. So many people live exiled from their homes and families. We offer prayers for all those who have no homes to return to. In gratitude for home and safety, we ask you grant us the courage to welcome those who come seeking sanctuary and a place to begin again.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us pray for all those who hold positions of leadership and power.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God of all nations, forgive us for the ways in which we turn from peace and justice. You would have us grow and flourish wherever we are. Because you would have a world that lives in harmony, we lift up to you those with the power to make changes, to find alternatives to war, and offer help and hope to those who suffer. May your people unite in transforming the nations of the world into places of hope and harmony.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us pray for all those in need of healing.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God who brings hope to healing, we lift up to you all who are wounded in body, mind, or spirit. You healed ten lepers and only one returned to give you thanks. May all who experience healing return to give you thanks and praise. Touch the broken places of our lives and remind us of your great love for each of us.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us pray for those who sit in the darkness of grief.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God of life and light, we know that your love carries us throughout eternity. Yet, the loss of a loved one fills us with deep pain. We lift up to you all who suffer loss, especially those who grieve a life lost in war or violence or suicide. Grant us compassion and wisdom as we tend to those in need of your light.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Let us offer gratitude and praise for the many blessings of our lives.
(silence or a time for people to quietly give voice to their concerns)
God of abundant life, we thank you for the ways in which you have blessed our lives. When we stop to breathe and be still, we know that you are present and active in the world and in our lives. Like the one leper who returned to you, we praise you and thank you for our lives. Open us to your abundance that we may share your grace with joy.
O give thanks to God,
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.
RCL – Year C – Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost – October 13, 2013
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 with Psalm 66:1-12 or
2 Kings 5:1-3,7-15c with Psalm 111
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19
