Prayers of the People

Prayers of the People January 6, 2019

Based on Matthew 2:1-12

Wondrous God, we thank you for the gifts of this table, and we wonder anew today at all the gifts by which you sustain us.  We thank you for visions, for light by which to walk, and for your love.  May all the gifts we, in turn, offer in gratitude, like the gifts offered by the wise men of old, demonstrate that we willingly bring our best to you and others – confident that you will wisely put to use whatever our trusting hearts and open hands provide.

We pray this day for those terribly troubled locations in the world.  Be with those in the midst of political upheaval, or the chaos that follows storm, fire, and flood.  Let your guidance be felt, that spirits may be strengthened and futures may shine with assurance and the promise of better possibilities.   

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.  Let your healing presence wash over these troubled places, renewing confidence, restoring hope. 

We pray today for this church family and its future.  You know all the needs we have dear God – better, surely, than we do ourselves.  Keep us focused on worthy aims.  Keep us watching for all the signs and signals you offer to lead us onward.  Let us be ever more surely drawn to you and your purposes.

And finally, God, we dare to pray for ourselves, knowing that no matter where we have been, or what we have done or failed to do, you open your arms to us, gladly.  You have greeted us today at this table where a holy meal has been served.  You show us that you are, in fact, with us every day in wondrous ways. 

So help us dust off the visions we thought had grown stale, and let us see them again now, by the light of the star of Bethlehem that shines to guide all seekers toward your Son.  Help us, as Christ’s followers, to claim his restoring, renewing, and life-directing grace – so that we might share it lavishly with all those we encounter.  Hear us as we join our voices in the prayer he taught us … the Lord’s Prayer.

Prayers of the People December 23, 2018

Based on Luke 1:39-45 ~ the Visitation 

Receive our thankful offering this morning, Eternal God, in this season of wonder and watching and waiting.  We’ve heard the haunting words of prophets, and we wondered at the long, rich history of promises made and fulfilled.  We’ve watched the symbols of your incarnation as they appear among us in wreath, tree, and crèche.  We know that earth’s redemption is your plan, and so now we wait.  We grow heavy with expectation.  Help us to prepare a fitting place for Christ’s presence among us as we wait. 

And let all our preparations demonstrate our appreciation for your great gifts to us.  Let us, in this season of giving, be willing to give of ourselves, and let our giving be guided by the pattern you offered – simple, humble, self-giving.  When our minds turn to the bustle of celebration, remind us to keep our hearts turned to you, God, that we may focus rightly. 

We pray for those whose problems concern us, and you, in this season – those far away, perhaps, whose pressing needs we may know only by report, although their needs are surely known and felt by you.  So show us how we can be your compassionate hands and heart in troubled places.  And we pray for those near and dear to us.  We thank you for people with whom our innermost thoughts and hopes may be shared; we thank you for places where commitments and resolutions for good may be undertaken with others; where support and sympathy is offered to uplift and sustain.  We are grateful for everyone everywhere who shares in such spiritual kinship with us. 

And we are especially grateful for your Son, whose kinship with us was offered without condition and without limit.  Urge us to attend most closely to his voice in this season.  Help us listen for invitations to let his spirit grow and flourish in us, making every day Christmas.  We pray as your grateful people, saying together the words Jesus taught us to say when we pray … The Lord’s Prayer.