Epiphany 4c General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Father, You have promised to hear the desire of the afflicted and so incline Your ear to Your children as we call upon You in prayer in the glad confidence that You hear those who come to You in Jesus’ name:

We praise You for Your steadfast love towards us and Your faithfulness that endures forever.  We give You glory for creating us and giving us life—for the salvation we have in Your Son Jesus Christ—and for calling us into the church and preserving us in saving faith. Continue to grant us every good gift of body soul—especially the gift of rain.

We confess and believe that You are our King, the one, true King--that You cause nations to rise and fall.  Bless our nation and those who govern us as Your ministers for our good that they would do those things that are right in Your sight and good for all our fellow citizens, especially the weakest among us.  Empower our military for the sake of justice and peace that those who strike terror against their fellow man would be defeated.

Before we were formed in the womb You knew us and loved us.  Grant Your mighty protection to all children in the womb, lead their parents to love them and care for them, and bring an end to abortion in our nation.  Especially do we pray for Elizabeth, that you would grant her a safe delivery and a healthy child.

As You raised up Jeremiah and appointed him to preach to the nations continue to call men into the preaching office and put Your words in their mouth so that all people near and far would know of Your salvation. 

Fill us with the gifts of the Spirit and especially with the gift of love.  We confess that we do not always love You and others as we ought.  Forgive us when we are proud and arrogant and boastful and grant us true humility that is a blessing to those around us in our marriages and families.  Especially do we ask Your blessing upon those members of the Becker family who are celebrating birthdays that You would grant them every good gift of body and soul.

Lord You know that we live in a world where evil is real and at times seems to be gaining the upper hand.  As it was that day in Capernaum so let it be today, that the authority and power of Your Son Jesus Christ would be at work in a mighty way to defeat the forces of evil that seek to destroy Your good gifts.  Let the healing touch of Your Son rest upon those who are ill, granting them healing and strength, especially do we pray for Barbara, Charlie, Bernice, and Tom. 

All of these things and whatever else You see that we need, whatever else is good for our neighbor and brings glory to you, grant to us dear Father in heaven for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ for it is in His name that we pray.  Amen.