Palm Sunday | Year A

God, our Father and our Mother,
May we seek refuge under the shadow of your wings,
and draw near to you for peace and comfort in this tumultuous time.
O Lord, let our souls rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun,
Morning by morning,
New mercies we shall see.

Our eternal hope, your love never fails us,
Guide us through this season,
that we may not avoid struggle,
but open ourselves to blessing,
through the cleansing depths of repentance
and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit.

Lord, in Your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Caught between joy and despair,
we yearn for the fulfillment of your desire
beyond the brokenness and neediness of this life.
We offer thanksgiving for your presence with us
And offer our petitions for the transformation
of the church and the world.

Lord, we lift up the vulnerable, the hungry, the sick, the eldery,
Those considered the least of these,
Lord Christ, you traveled through towns and villages curing every disease and illness
Grant them healing and safety.
We pray for the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers around the world,
Give them daily wisdom and endurance as they work to help those in need.
Lord, we pray for our government officials in their decision making,
May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection.
Lord, may you inspire research scientists as they work to develop better tests,
ways to diagnose the virus, and create vaccines to prevent it.

Lord, we lift up business owners and families faced with impending economic hardship.
You are our source of providence, present in their time of need.
May you provide jobs, equity and resources to pay bills and meet any financial obligations.
Lord, we are truly grateful for every grocery store worker and delivery driver,
May you bless them and protect them from all harm,
Grant them grace when dealing with disgruntled customers and food shortages,
And keep their cars and trucks running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food.

Lord, in Your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker,
day by day you sustain the weary with your word
and gently encourage us to place our trust in you.
Awaken us to the suffering of those around us;
save us from hiding in denials or taunts that deepen the hurt;
give us grace to share one another’s burdens in humble service.

Lord Christ, May your peace go with us,
May you guide us through this wilderness
protect us through the storm;
May you bring us refuge and strength
And reveal the wonders you have shown us;
may you bring us home rejoicing,
once again into our doors.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lent 5 | Year A

Brothers and sisters,
distance cannot separate us,
as we are One in Christ.
Let's unite our hearts and minds
and pray together:

God of New Life,
You show us a field of dry, dead things
and bring it to life.
As we look around a deadened world,
devoid of public life,
reveal Yourself in the midst of it.

Where we feel dry and arid,
refresh us.
Let Your life break through in the midst of our toil
and sustain us with Your provision.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of Patient Revelation,
as we exist in this indefinite time of waiting,
call to mind our desire to wait on You.

Guide us to Your redemption,
cheer our hearts, occupy our hands.
Show us creative and tangible ways
to love You and our neighbors.

Grant us the grace to love what You command
and the patience to desire what You promise,
so that our hearts will be fixed on Your true joy,
even as the world fluctuates under our feet.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of On-Time Resurrection,
we remember Lazarus,
who died and who was mourned,
whom You loved and returned to life.
We remember Your desire to see
Your creation live and thrive.

We pray for all those affected
by this global pandemic.
For those fighting the virus,
for those who have succumbed to it,
and for those whose lives are disrupted by it.

We pray for those whose employment is now in question,
for those who can’t afford to stockpile provisions,
for those for whom the word “home” is not a comfort.
Lord, meet these people in their distress,
and let Your Church meet their needs in a physical way.
May Your name be glorified in this time and always.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lent 4 | Year A

God, our Father and our Mother,
the Creator of all things,
the Ground of our being,
and the Space that is within us and between us,
Thank you for the beauty that is your universal Church.
Thank you for the hope of unity
and oneness that we experience as we follow you
and embody your Love.

We pray for our country in these unusual times.
For empathy and love as we learn to connect in new ways.
For our leaders, our president, our state and local leaders,
Help them find creative ways to work together,
to care for the least of these,
and move us toward unity and equality.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God we pray for the welfare of the world;
for those experiencing conflict and injustice,
for those in extreme poverty,
for those who are trafficked for work and sex,
for the homeless, the refugees,
and those who worry on a daily basis
about how they will feed their children.

Give wisdom to the helpers,
those rushing to the front lines to provide relief.
For doctors and nurses working overtime,
for scientists and researchers searching for cures and vaccines.
Grant them peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who suffer and are in trouble.
God, we pray for our Sanctuary parishioners,
especially for those who feel overwhelmed
by depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
May your presence feel particularly near in these unusual days.

O God, you are always attentive and always present.
We name before you the concerns that weigh heavy on our hearts...

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lent 3 | Year A

God of living water,
We gather together to drink
from the deep well of eternal life.
Fill us with your Spirit
so our thirst may be satisfied.

Lord, we long for the unity of your Church,
Guide your people toward one another,
in love, charity, and truth.
Bind us together in your Spirit
in order that we might be
the visible body of your Son in this world.

May our lives and our example, with your help,
display your care for all people,
that we might see the world drawn
into your unifying and healing life.

Lord, in Your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of authority and power,
We pray for those who have been granted
authority and leadership in this world.
May they embrace the vision of your Kingdom,
executing justice for the poor and oppressed,
resisting the draw into violence and vengeance,
and embracing policies of equity for all people.

As the fear of illness surrounds us all,
we pray for those who have been given
charge of managing the responses to the coronavirus.
Fill them with wisdom, Lord,
for the safety and health of all our neighbors.
We also pray for the medical researchers,
grant them creativity and energy
as they search for innovative medicines and immunizations.

Lord, in Your mercy,
hear our prayer.

God our Healer, we pray for those who are sick,
Breathe your restoring life into their bodies
and provide them comfort in their trouble.

We pray for those who lack easy access to healthcare,
for those who have weakened immune systems,
for those who are anxious,
for those whose income is being impacted,
for children who won’t have meals without school,
for those who are caring for the sick,
protect and help each one during this unstable season.

Now, let us name before our attentive God
the concerns that weigh on each of us individually...

Hear us, Father, and answer these requests
according to your faithfulness and promises.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lent 2 | Year A

God of amazing compassion,
lover of our wayward selves,
you bring to birth a pilgrim people,
and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world.
We pray for grace to take your generous gift
and step with courage on this holy path,
confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us,
made known and given in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Artist of souls,
you sculpted a people for yourself
out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting.
Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity,
that the discipline of these forty days
may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship,
and whet our thirst for the living water you offer
through Jesus Christ.

Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of the covenant,
in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance,
draw all people to yourself,
that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom.

God of Love, God of Peace
Create within us a heart for people,
A desire for change
For new eyes to bear witness to your hand already at work,
For renewed hope and prophetic imagination.

Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

O God, we pray for the ongoing spread of the coronavirus,
for those working tirelessly to create vaccines,
for those living in fear and anxiety,
for those grieving the loss of loved ones.
Grant Your peace, we pray.

O God, we hold before You all those who are in need
For those affected by the tornadoes in Tennessee,
For those experiencing personal tragedy and loss,
we offer our prayers either silently or aloud...

Grant, O God, that the prayers we offer
may be your channel for new and abundant life
not only hoped for, but worked for,
through faithful word and deed.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lent 1 | Year A

Brothers and sisters, family of Christ,
let us incline our ears and align our hearts
as we pray:

God, our Refuge,
as we enter this sacrificial season of Lent,
keep our appetites whetted
so that we may embrace
both the fasting of today
and the feasting of Your Easter promise.

As pandemic fears grip the globe,
we ask that You provide
wisdom to all our leaders
and calm to all panicked hearts.
Let Your peace reign supreme.

Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, our Redeemer,
You know us like no other,
intimately and intricately.
You know our hearts and minds,
You were tempted as we are tempted.

Find us in our own wilderness.
In the wilderness of suffering or sickness,
the wilderness of loss or lack,
the wilderness of trauma or terror.
Meet us and minister to us.

Instruct us, Lord
Teach us the ways we should go.
Build in us a trust in You,
A trust that guides us in the midst of temptation.

Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God, our Restorer,
You’ve forgiven our transgressions!
You’ve put away our sins!
We shout for joy
at the depth of Your grace
and the might of Your mercy.

Help us to walk more fully
in Your uprightness;
Guide our eyes so that we look at Your creation,
including all Your children,
through the lens of You.

When we know times of strength,
let us help those among us who are weak.
Keep from us the temptation to pride and arrogance,
even in our humility.
But let Your name be glorified among us,
in the Church and in the world.

We offer now all those prayers
erupting from our hearts,
whether silently or aloud:

[SILENCE]

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Transfiguration Sunday | Year A

O God,
the Creator of all things,
the Ground of our being,
and the Space that is within us and between us.
Thank You for the beauty that is Your universal Church.
Thank You for the hope of unity and oneness
that we experience as we follow you and embody your Love.

God, we pray for our country during this tumultuous election cycle.
We pray for empathy and love as we engage with people
in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our workplace,
in our church, and in our families that think differently than we do.

We pray for our leaders, for President Trump and Vice President Pence,
our Senate and House of Representatives, our Supreme Court,
and our state and local leaders.
May they find creative ways to work together
and honor our values of freedom and equality.
God, we ask for Your eyes and Your ears
that we may truly see and listen to one another.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

God, we pray for those experiencing conflict and injustice around the world.
We pray for those in extreme poverty,
for those who are trafficked for work and sex,
for the homeless, the refugees, and those who worry on a daily basis
about how they will feed their children.

We pray for the people of Iran and of Iraq,
bring them safety and stability amidst chaos.
We pray for the people of Israel and Palestine,
bring them peace and solutions amidst their conflict.

We pray for those affected by natural disasters around the world.
Please protect the people and the animals of Australia
as they continue to battle wildfires.
Bring aid and comfort to those affected by earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

God, we pray for all those who are sick and dying from the Coronavirus.
We ask that you give wisdom to doctors around the world
and especially those in China as they seek to develop vaccinations
and care for those who are in need.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

God, we pray for all of the students in our communities.
Keep them safe, warm, and nourished.
We pray for our local police officers, fire fighters,
teachers, doctors, and nurses that serve our communities;
give them wisdom and compassion
especially for the most vulnerable among us.
We pray for the homeless in our city, especially during cold weather.
Help us to be generous and kind as we encounter these neighbors.

God, we pray for these, our Sanctuary parishioners.
For those who feel overwhelmed by depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
May Your presence feel so near this week.
We pray for Your comfort for those who are grieving loss.
May our churches be a place of safety and of healing.
We pray for those who are sick;
we pray especially for these we name before you…
Give them strength and heal their bodies.

God, may we be a community who prays for one another
and carries each other’s burdens.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany 6 | Year A

Sanctuary family,
In prayer, we approach the throne of our God
Who already has his ear inclined to us.
Let us lift up our community and our world.

Our Father, we pray for the peace of the whole world.
Pain and violence are everywhere we look,
but we place our hope in you,
trusting that you see it all
and will not forget a single tear.

We pray for the unity of the Christian church.
Animosity and distrust pervade our congregations,
Confusion and anger define our denominational lines.
Reveal where we have contributed and heal us.
Make us one as you are one.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, we pray for the leaders of our government,
Especially in times like these.
We ask that our politicians will embrace the path of justice and peace
That we may live quiet and godly lives without fear.

We pray for this election season that represents
A time of strong convictions from many people.
As we participate, may our voices and our votes,
Sow cords of peace, justice, and love.
May we not be motivated by fear,
But fill us with your care for all people.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

God of restoration,
we lift up all those in need of health today.
Whether they suffer in mind, body, or spirit,
We ask for their comfort and healing.

For all that have died in the hope of the resurrection,
And for all whose faith is known to you alone,
We pray that you will receive them into eternal rest and joy.
May we also continue our lives in faith,
That we may find our home with you among all the saints.

We also lift up any other people or concerns whether silently or aloud…
[Silence]

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany 5 | Year A

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
Sends us out as the light of the world, to shine before others.
Let us pray for strength on the way
and for all those in the church and the world
who need justice, mercy, and peace.

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins,
and give us the liberty of that abundant life
which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord, may we daily choose the path you have for us
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to set free the oppressed,
to share our bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into our home;
That we may be one as you and the Father are one;
striving to show forth love and light and blessing to this world,
despite our failures and limitations.

God of compassion, your love for humanity is revealed in Jesus,
whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable
and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross:
in the midst of the bitter winter months
we hold before you those who are homeless and cold,
without a safe place to rest their head.
Draw near and comfort them in spirit
and bless those who work to provide them with shelter, food, and friendship.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord, Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
May be faithful as your adopted children.
O God, we hold before You all those who are in need
and we offer our prayers either silently or aloud…

God of our lives and our concerns,
God of this world and its multitude of troubles,
God of the universe beyond our imagination,
help us to be still in these moments,
to know that you are here in this place,
to lift our hearts up to you, to settle down,
to slow down, to rest in you.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany 4 | Year A

Almighty God, thank You You for inclining Your ear to us!
With humility, we offer our prayers to You.
Sanctuary family, let us pray:

Lord, in a time of disunity and disinformation,
make us messengers of Your truth and peace.
Let us carry Your message in our mouths, in our hands, in our feet,
in every action being people of salt and light.

Let us love You first.
Let us pursue You foremost.
Set our hearts on the pilgrims’ way,
that we may embody Your love among all our fellow travelers.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

All-consuming God, You are our sun—the light that guides our way;
our eyes have seen Your salvation.
You are our shield—the house in which we dwell;
hide us in the shadow of Your wing.

Where we are unsettled, give us the patience of Simeon;
where we are inconsistent, give us the devotion of Anna;
where we are indifferent, give us the amazement of Mary and Joseph.

We ask You to bless those among us in need.
Bless us with the resources to care for ourselves and others,
with fitness of soul and rightness of heart.
Welcome those who have died into their eternal rest.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

All-encompassing God,
As millions face dire consequences from the coronavirus in China,
we pray for healing for those affected and wisdom for all those fighting it.

Bless our leaders at every level,
in Tulsa, in Oklahoma, in the United States, and in the world.
Pierce their consciences where needed
and guide them to act justly,
so that all Your creation may flourish.

We also now offer our own prayers, either silently or aloud:
[SILENCE]

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany 3 | Year A

Family, as we gather today, let us bear the weight of prayer together.
As we pray for our church, the Church, and the world,
may we be reminded that we join our faith with all saints
past and present in offering our requests.

Mysterious God, we celebrate the revelation of Your Son,
the light of the world, who enlightens our eyes.
In the appearance of Jesus, we have not only seen You,
but all things that once were hidden have been revealed.

May the light of your presence continue to shine in every dark place,
in order that we might see things as they truly are.
Protect Your people from deception and lead us into truth
so together we might recognize where Your kingdom is springing forth.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

King of all creation, as we enter a season of political division,
Guide your Church to place their trust in You alone.
Help us to see beyond the rhetoric of our day into a hope
that far exceeds any proposal given by our candidate of choice.

When our leaders seem blind to the needs of the most desperate among us,
Strengthen us to not only use our voices,
But also our hands and feet to attend to the needs around us.
Today, we especially pray for the newly appointed Tulsa Chief of Police.
Lead him into the ways of peace and justice,
so all our communities may live in safety
and slowly begin to mend the wounds that span centuries.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Father, heal all those who are sick among us,
comfort those who are grieving,
and renew those who grow weary,
especially these we name before you either silently or aloud…

We pray today for those who have died in faith
and those whose faith is known to You alone.
Receive them all into Your loving and eternal rest,
And assist us in our journeys of hope,
so that our paths might find their end in your embrace.

God who listens, we thank You for inclining Your ear to us,
as we pour out our confusions, doubts, and hope to You.
Fulfill our requests as may be best for us
and gift us with faith to trust you as we watch your story unfold.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany 2 | Year A

Brothers and Sisters, 
As we continue to journey through this season of Epiphany, 
where God makes himself known in unexpected places, 
let us pray for the needs of the church, 
our community, and the world. 
Believing that God will make himself known to us now.

O God, we humbly gather 
in awe of your mystery and majesty;
amazed that you chose to be represented as a child.
Help us remember how highly you esteem children. 

For the leaders of the Church, those in authority,
and powerful men and women of all nations, 
we pray a childlike innocence come over them. 
Grant them a willingness to learn and grow, even in the face of their responsibility. 

Draw them towards each other in peace,
rather than away in conflict. 
And may all people, Your people, follow suit.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

As we face frightful times around the globe, 
let us look to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.  

Our Father, who spoke all creation into existence,
Grant us the grace and wisdom to protect what You have gifted us with.
Guide the decision-makers and the decisions we make each day
to be good stewards of Your creation.

For relationships that have struggled through tension, 
and beliefs that once came easy but are now shrouded in confusion and doubt, 
we pray You remind us of our hope that, in Your time, 
You will make all things new.

O God, we give You thanks for the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
As we pause to remember his life and legacy,
may we strive to embody his mission:
equality for all, care for the poor, and a commitment to non-violence.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

O God, we stand at the beginning of a new year sensing the buzz and excitement,
our days pregnant with possibility.
Remind us to make time for silence, and quiet moments with You. 
Each year goes by faster than the last.
Help us to be present and mindful with how we spend our time. 

Let us take a deep breath, 
a breath filled with God’s peace and understanding,
the breath that calms and clears our mind, setting our hearts to rest.
And let us exhale a breath of blessing, of mercy, and righteousness, 
a breath of edification of all who cross our paths.

Through us, Your creations, may You be glorified.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Epiphany 1 | Year A

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, 
whose face is hidden from us by our sins;
and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts;
cleanse us, we pray, from all our offenses; 
that with lowliness and meekness we may draw near to you; 
confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in You our refuge and our strength.

The God who breathed this world alive
and sustains it day by day,
whose hands flung stars into space
and who gathers up all things to himself
says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

The God who filled the ocean depths
and set tides on their way;
who caused mountains to be raised up
And rainbows to display says, “I have called you by name, you are mine.”

The God who made the fertile earth
And seed within to sow;
whose artistry creates butterflies, sunsets,
and early morning dew says, “You are precious in my sight.”

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Your Word is truth for victims of injustice,
light for all who cannot see,
love where there is hatred,
freedom for the oppressed.

Your Word is healing where there is sickness,
comfort in times of sorrow, mercy where there is humility,
hope for eternity.

We pray for the 176 lives lost as their plane was shot down.
Grant them eternal rest, O God, 
and may Your perpetual light shine on them.

We pray for our world, flush with disasters;
from the earthquakes in Puerto Rico, 
to the brushfires still raging in Australia,
bring rest to the earth, O God. 

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Lord, Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, 
may be faithful as Your adopted children. 

O God, we hold before You all those who are in need
and we offer our prayers either silently or aloud...

Reveal yourself, Gracious God, within this time of worship. 
Speak to us through songs we sing, prayers we offer, the words we hear.

Reveal Yourself Gracious God, also within us. 
In our speaking and listening, tears and laughter, love that’s shared.
Reveal Yourself, Gracious God, in the sacred ordinary.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Christmastide 2 | Year A

Creator God,
Who dreamed and spoke,
Who created all,
we come humbly before You now
and pray:

The cycle has begun again.
What was old has become new.
We lay our lives before You
in this new year of 2020.

All we have:
our resources, our time,
our family members,
our vision for the year,
ourselves.
All of it we lay at Your feet.
An offering to You.
Do with us as You will.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Enlighten the eyes of our hearts
so that we may know Your hope;
Sharpen the ears of our hearts
so that we may hear Your calling.

As You spoke to the wise men through stars,
using a language they could understand,
speak to us in a way we can hear You
and regard all You’ve done for the world.

Make us instruments of Your peace.
Let us see Your world through holy eyes,
so that we interact with it
in a way that honors You
and enacts Your will.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

For all who are in torment today, we pray.
Gird them where they are weak,
Calm them where they are distressed,
Soothe them where they are in pain.

For all those affected by the ongoing bush fires
in New South Wales, Australia,
we ask for Your mercy and compassion.
Give us courage and a will to care for Your creation,
for all living things.

We pray for all those affected
by renewed military action in the Middle East.
For service members on all sides
and for the millions of innocents in between.
We yearn alongside You for the flourishing of all life.

We now lift up our own voices,
to offer our prayers to You,
whether silently or aloud.

[PAUSE]

Give us vision for the day
when all wars cease and all contentions are resolved,
when You gather Your creation,
Your Great Family,
for Your great, joyful feast.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Christmastide 1 | Year A

Family,
God has come to us as a child.
Our humanity has been forever bound up together with God in Christ.

So as we celebrate the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us,
let’s pray for the Church and our world.

God of unity, your Incarnation has interwoven our lives with yours.
In this season of reflecting on that mystery,
Reveal to us how this one act binds us together.
As we are joined with you, may we be joined to one another.

Reveal to us our shared life in the Spirit, 
that your global Church may work from unity rather than conflict.
As we work together, may your mission of reconciliation
be furthered by our commitment to each other.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Humble God, you did not come to us in great wealth and power,
but in the form of a servant.
Influence the leaders of all nations to follow your example,
that we may see the meek inherit the earth.

We celebrate that you have shown us another path,
Preaching good news to the poor,
Freedom to the captives,
Justice for the oppressed.

Make this way of living so abundantly clear to us, 
that we may never forsake your means to justify an end.
Help us to never compromise the walk of deferential love
as we work to see your Kingdom made reality.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

O Lord, heal those dealing with illness, 
especially the children and elderly among us.
Comfort those coping with the recent loss of loved ones 
during this holiday season.

We pray for all who have died in the communion of your Church, 
and those whose faith is known to you alone.
May they rest in the place where there is no pain or grief,
but eternal life with all the saints.

We also pause in order that we may name the concerns, people, or situations that weigh on our minds today…

All this we ask in the authority of the child that has been born for us, 
the son given to us.

Amen.

Advent 4 | Year A

Brothers and sisters,
as we await the coming of the Christ,
let us pray for the needs of the church, 
our community, and the world.

O God, as Christmas draws closer, 
we know this season of joy
can also be a time of loss and grief. 

We ask You to comfort the broken-hearted and lonely. 
Bring peace to families who have lost loved ones.
Give grace to those experiencing turmoil and pain.
Settle those caught up in never-ending to-dos.

Lord, in Your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

O God, we pray for your collective church, 
for perseverance, stability, strength, and wisdom. 

We pray for unity and peace for our nation.
We know it is the enemy who widens divisions
that isolate us from one another. 
Help us remember we are all dust,
created in Your image, 
and we all have life because Your Spirit gives us breath.

As Ephesians tells us, our struggle is not against flesh and blood. 
Keep this on the forefront of our minds as we sit alongside
people with whom we may disagree.
Help us love one another, recognizing the humanity
you gifted to us all.

Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those in our communities
who do not feel the abundance that many of us take for granted, 
for those whom the holidays accentuate lack;
help them feel the fullness of Your love,
the connectedness of Your family,
and support this Sanctuary community. 

We lift up those around the globe suffering from 
natural disasters, war, and oppression;
grant them rest, respite, and safety.
Rest their minds and bodies so they can face the new year
with Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. 

O God, thank You for Your faithfulness and mercy.
Inspire us with creative ways to spread Your light.
Help us be pure of heart and steadfast in our mission
to glorify You and love our neighbors. 

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Advent 3 | Year A

O God, in the hushed anticipation of Your coming,
stir up in us a desire to remain awake, with patient expectation,
that we might find joy in the waiting
and when the day comes, be ready for Your coming.

You are the God of incarnation,Emmanuel, God with us.
Your peace has been born among us,
embodied in the fragile flesh of Your son.
With confidence, we bring before You
our prayers for the church and the world.

We pray for Your church;
fill her with truth and peace.
Where she is corrupt, cleanse her.
Where she is in error, direct her.
Where anything is amiss, reform her.
Where she is right, strengthen her.
Where she is divided, heal and reunite her in Your love.

Lord, in Your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

O God, we look around and see
a world not yet right.
We see suffering and violence,
pain and sickness.
Still, we trust You are with us
and coming to us.

We pray for the victims 
of the shooting in Jersey City,
for the lives lost on the New Zealand volcano,
for governments in upheaval,
and people fleeing violence.

In a world that looks away from injustice,
You cast your eyes on the destitute, the poor, the wronged;
may we have the courage to follow You,
preaching good news to the poor, release for the captives,
and liberty for the oppressed.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Patient God, grant us the patience
to see Your presence in the world.
In the least-expecting places
may we find Your hope.

In moments of despair 
may we respond like Mary,
joyful at the promise of Your mercy,
of Your filling the hungry with good things,
the bringing down of the powerful;
Your Kingdom of equity and justice.

O God, come among us and hear our prayers,
so that when Your Son returns
we will have prepared space 
where Your Kingdom is welcome.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Advent 2 | Year A

Holy God, may the divisions between us be erased.
May we, people of all backgrounds, walk with one another;
listen to one another;
bear one another's burdens.
May we faithfully practice peacemaking in our community first.

May your global Church be unified by our shared love for one another.
As we worship today in peace, we call to mind our brothers and sisters
who are persecuted for their faith.
May they be delivered from trouble, comforted by your Spirit,
and strengthened with eternal hope.

Lord, in Your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Merciful God, the promises of your Kingdom seem so distant,
and the kingdoms of the world war against your peace and justice.
Grant us a tenacious faith:
to bring light where there is darkness,
peace where there is strife,
comfort where there is despair,
and righteousness where there is injustice.
Let the light of your presence always shine in us,
so that all may know that darkness will one day come to an end.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Almighty God, you stripped yourself entirely to come into this world.
Weak, fragile, and dependent,
you gave yourself into the care of a teenage girl.
In following you, may we also become vulnerable.

May we strip away all that protects us,
all that we hide behind,
and let it burn like chaff.
May our actions bear fruit that glorifies you,
eternal God, love incarnate.

Today, we also offer our requests, aloud or silently, for those in need or suffering…

[Silence]

As we pour out our cries and petitions,
we thank you for your faithfulness to hear our prayers,
whether spoken or too obscure for words.
Grant our requests as may be best for us
and fill us with enduring hope as we anticipate your coming again.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Advent 1 | Year A

O God, we step into a new year with anticipation,
singing songs and lighting candles
as a reminder of Your light breaking into the world.

In this season of Advent, we join the long waiting,
the journey into the darkness,
and the cry of your people:
“How long, O Lord?”
Stir up a longing within us,
so that when the day of Christ’s birth comes,
he may also be born in each of us.

Lord, in Your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have come and are coming.
You have been here from the beginning,
You have been here in time,
and now You come to us even now.
You point us toward another day, and another hour,
another coming of which no one knows the moment.
You bid us to be ready.

We look around at a broken and hurting world.
We see needs beyond our own ability to fix.
We thank You for all who tend to the sick and weary,
the ones who feel separated from Your church.

In a world of rich resources, help us to remember the poor,
not only in memory, but also in love, for they are our brothers and sisters.
Use our caring, giving, helping, and living with the poor
as ways to be Your incarnation.
And may we see you image in them.

Lord, in Your mercy

Hear our prayer.

We long for the day when nations
will beat their swords into plowshares.
We long for the day of peace.
We look to your Son, who shows us a different way to live,
who taught a different lesson, and died a death that gives us life.

O God, we hold before You all those who are in need
and we offer our prayers either silently or aloud...

[Silence]

Patient God, supporting brother, mothering spirit,
we offer these and many more prayers.
We praise You and thank You for hearing us
and coming to us in our need.

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Christ the King Sunday | Year C

As we gather to celebrate Christ our King,
let us bow our hearts and pray
for the church and the world.

Mighty and merciful Lord,
You are our refuge, our strength,
Always with us, in times of peace
and in times of trouble.

May we endure these times in patience,
while joyfully giving You thanks,
knowing that all things
are held together in You.

Leader: Lord, in Your mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Rescuing Lord,
we ask that you display Your mercy
upon those in places of unrest.

For those affected by violence in Bolivia,
protests in Hong Kong,
and all those impacted
by a world that is still on fire.

Where we have faith, strengthen it.
Where we have doubt, bless it.
Make all things right in Your time,
through Your advocating justice,
and Your empathetic righteousness.

Rescue us from the power of darkness
and flood our hearts with Your unending light,
so that we may no longer live in fear or dismay.

Leader: Lord, in Your mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Powerful Lord, Your voice
guides us gently and gladdens our hearts.
Grant us the patience to wait for You.
We bring before You
all those who are hurting,
who are in physical, emotional,
financial, or familial pain.
Heal their hearts and bodies.

We commend to your mercy all who have died,
that your will for them may be fulfilled;
and we pray that we may share with all your saints
in your eternal kingdom.

We now add our own prayers,
either silently or aloud:

[Silence]

All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.