Proper 18 | Year A

God among us,
we gather in the name of your Son
to learn love for one another.
Turn our feet from evil paths,
our hands from shameful deeds,
our minds to your wisdom,
and our hearts to your grace.

You call us to love and serve you
by loving and serving our brothers and sisters, near and far;
And to put their needs and interests ahead of our own.
And so we offer our prayers for the world you created,
In Your mercy, hear our prayer.

You hear us calling
You hear us calling
Abba Father

God we pray for all those affected by disasters around the world;
For victims of Hurricane Harvey and Irma, 
For the dozens of lives lost in the Mexico earthquake,
And for those forced to evacuate their homes as fires rage in Oregon.

Help us think of others before ourselves. 
Shield us from apathy when our ears hear news of more flooding, demolished homes, devastated families, exhausted rescue crews, and lost lives. 
As the waters recede, stir our hearts and mobilize our efforts
to tackle destruction and devastation at home and abroad.
Show us once again how to lovingly and justly respond to the victims of a catastrophe.

You hear us calling
You hear us calling
Abba Father

Redeeming Sustainer,
visit your people
and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
that we may hurry to make you welcome
not only in our concern for others,
but by serving them
generously and faithfully in your name.

Holy God,
you call us to righteousness and light.
Teach us the undivided law of love,
that we may love your children even as you do,
love you with all our will and strength,
and find our freedom in this blessed service,
taught to us in word and deed
by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy