General Prayer Proper 8b

Lord God heavenly Father, you have promised good to those who wait for You and to the soul who seeks You.  Hear us as we pray in Jesus’ name and answer us for our good:

Today we are thankful chiefly for the salvation we have in Your Son Jesus Christ who took upon himself our sin-sickness and gave us his wholeness and cleanness in its place.

What a blessing it is to know that Your steadfast love never ceases and Your mercies never come to an end.  Let Your mercy and love fill the lives of Your people.  Grant healing to those who are ill, especially Connie and Robert as they face surgery, Vernon who is ill, Ashley as she recovers from surgery, and the baby born to Nicole and David who needs Your strengthening and protection.  Help those who need mental and emotional healing, especially James.

We know that You do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men but You have compassion according to the abundance of Your steadfast love.  Because You are the abiding portion of Your people grant peace and comfort to those who mourn the loss of loved ones, especially the Kiesling family as they mourn the death of Lester and the Kennedy family as they mourn the death of Korby.  Assure them that all who die in Christ will rise again.

Lord You have promised that even when our mouth is in the dust there may yet be hope.  As our nation and its citizens have been brought low by a legal decision that undermines Your good gift of marriage, save us from discouragement and despair.  Grant us humility to recognize our own brokenness.  Help us speak to the truth in love to all who are caught up in some besetting sin, that there is forgiveness in Jesus.  Strengthen our own marriages and families.  Work a spiritual renewal in our nation, its leaders, and our fellow citizens so that we would walk in Your ways.

Bless the stewardship of our congregation and help us to be like the churches of Macedonia whose giving overflowed in a wealth of generosity.  Give us hearts and hands that are open to meet the needs of others and support the mission of the church. 

We give You thanks for Jesus Christ our Savior, who though he was rich, became poor so that we might have the rich treasures of salvation.  Grant us an ever deeper appreciation for the gifts of salvation that are given in this place each Lord’s Day in Word and Sacrament.

Help us to follow the faithful, courageous example of the woman with the flow of blood and the ruler of the synagogue and seek out Your Son Jesus Christ, throwing caution to the wind to come to him for blessings without number.  Especially do we thank You for the blessing of rain this week and for Dolores’ good test results and for the life You granted to Your servant Lee whose birthday we remember.  

Whatever else You see that we need; whatever brings glory to You and serves our neighbor; whatever extends the Kingdom of Your Son; grant to us dear Father in heaven for we ask it in Jesus’ name.  Amen.