Proper 10 Pentecost 8 General Prayer

Gracious heavenly Father, as we come to You in Jesus’ name, asking for those things we need, we pray that You would be gracious to us and lift us up:

We confess and believe that You are the LORD—the God who has delivered us and saved us by the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ.  Help us to live as Your people and love our neighbors as ourselves by caring for those in need and living justly with others and forgiving others as we have been forgiven by You. 

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that the seed of the Gospel which has been implanted in us through word and sacrament would bear fruit and grow strong.  Continue to raise up faithful ministers of the Gospel like Epaphras who will make known to us the truth of Your grace and Your love for us in the Sprit.

Empower the mission and ministry of our congregation so that many in our community would leave the domain of darkness and be transferred into the kingdom of Your Son where there is forgiveness for their sins.

When we are tempted to justify ourselves in Your sight by the things we do and say, remind us that Your standard is perfection and then point us to Your Son Jesus in whom this perfection is found and through whom we are truly justified in Your sight.

As we  look upon a world in need grant us compassion and a willingness to help and so prove that we love our neighbors as ourselves.  Help us to walk in a manner worthy of You, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in knowledge of You.  Especially do we pray this for Timothy, James, and Jonathon as they celebrate their birthdays.

Prevent our enemies from shouting in triumph over us.  Empower and protect all of those who bear the sword as Your ministers for our good.  Help them to exercise their duties in a way that is right in Your sight.

Gracious heavenly Father, we know that we have a hope laid up for us in heaven through the glorious resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Grant us the wisdom and the faithfulness and the endurance to walk the narrow way to our eternal home.

Whatever else You see that we need; whatever is good for our neighbor and gives glory to You; whatever will work for our salvation; grant to us dear Father in heaven for we ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, confident that You will hear and answer us for his sake.  Amen.