Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People July 14, 2019

Based on 2^nd Kings 5:1-5, 9-14

In faith, we yield to you, O God.  If we have fought against your claims upon us, or have asserted our utter independence and self-sufficiency, today we work to acknowledge our dependence upon you and one another.  And with loving thanks for your constant care of us, we bring gifts and offerings that demonstrate our willingness to help others, as you have so generously and consistently helped and blessed us.

We pray today for those, like the proud commander, Naaman, in need of physical healing.  Help those whose lives are disrupted by illness to remember that your compassion, and your life-giving touch, are capable of restoring lives and redirecting them.  Let simple trust in you prevail.  Let hope overcome fear.  As the author of life, we ask your help in repairing it in the broken places.

And, we recognize, God, that like the proud commander, Naaman, many experience wounds that are more than physical.  We see the world’s struggles and recognize how often hurt pride and simple arrogance are their cause.  We pray for healing from these attitudes that afflict the human spirit and torment human lives.  We pray that those who oppress others may be healed.  We pray that those who lash out in anger may be healed.  We pray that those who neglect the duties they might fulfill will be healed.  We pray for expansive vision for those whose viewpoint is too confining and too narrow and too self-serving – so that they may be healed of their distorted view of the world.    

And we pray that you may look upon all our own needs for redirection and restoration, and that you may heal us, too.  Make us willing to submit to the treatment you prescribe for us – whether the prescription is diligent prayer, or more committed service, or stronger compassion toward others, or re-awakened faithfulness, or an honest humility.   Help us risk removing the armor of self-protection we wear, and immersing ourselves seven times, or a thousand times in your grace, until we are healed of all that lessens life.  Let our bodies, and our minds, and our spirits be renewed.

We pray these things in the name of the one we have named our Great Physician.   Using the words Christ taught us, we pray together, saying … Our Father … Amen.

Prayers of the People July 7, 2019

based on Isaiah 43:1-3, 15-19 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-19

Wondrous God, we thank you for all the gifts by which you sustain us, and especially for the gifts of this table.  Our communion with you and one another heals us of our isolation, supports us with your goodness, and holds us all in your loving, all-embracing Spirit.

As we acknowledge the blessings you lavish upon us, we are mindful of those across the face of this world who are in need of help.  We pray for troubled places and troubled people.  We pray for all those who grieve today, or long for healing, or find themselves concerned for their family’s welfare, their children’s safety, their future dreams, their past mistakes.  We pray for the people of California, recovering from the devastation of the earthquake.  Let your healing presence wash over these troubles to renew strength and rebuild hope.  Restore, we pray, for all in need of it, the assurance that when they walk through the waters, they will not be overwhelmed.  When they walk through the fire they shall not be consumed, for you are with them and sustain them, eternally.

And we pray today for ourselves.  You know all the needs we have dear God – better, surely, than we do ourselves.  Keep us focused on worthy aims.  Keep us listening for the voice of your Son who calls us to follow him, promising fulfillment beyond our imagining.  Following him makes all the difference.    

So, let us drop everything else to which we cling – the false hopes, the dashed dreams, the sad illusions – and claim the wonderment of turning to him, the one who is ever ready to do new things among us and within us.  Let us change, by Christ’s beckoning, sending ripples of his love all around us, making a world of difference.  Sharing the bread and wine of Christ this day, we have already shared his confident spirit, and so we trustingly offer his prayer, as we sing his words together… The Lord's Prayer