Easter 3 | Year C

Holy God,
You have called us to follow in the way of Your risen Son,
and to care for our companions,
not only with words of comfort, but also with acts of love.
Seeking to be true friends of all,
we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world.

We pray for all those who are persecuted for their faith,
both domestically and abroad.
Give them freedom, peace, and safety as they worship
and bring the light of Your truth into the darkest places.

We pray for all those who breathe curses and threats.
Give them new hearts and new lives.
Transform them with Your love
that they may extend compassion instead of cruelty.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, we pray for all who suffer in sickness and in grief,
for those wrestling with the loss of those they love.
“‘Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch,”
but still we love, and love bravely, because You are with us.

We pray for those who work by day and night;
may they find satisfaction in the labor, and give them rest.
You invite us to Sabbath and rest well.
May we all receive Your invitation today.

As millions paused this week to remember the Holocaust,
we pray for an end to racism, bigotry, and xenophobia.
We pray for peace in places of unrest
and ask for an end to conflict.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, help us to hear Your words,
“Feed my sheep” and “tend my lambs,”
that we may faithfully lend our time,
talents, and resources to Your service.

We pray for the recently departed,
especially Rachel Held Evans and Anne York
and those we remember now in silence...

Guide us in the path of discipleship,
so that, as You have blessed us,
we may be a blessing for others,
bringing the promise of the kingdom near
by our words and deeds.

All this we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.