Pentecost 25 proper 27 General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Father, You are our help and shield and so we come to You in prayer in Jesus’ name, trusting that you will hear us and answer us for our good:

In these days when it seems that easy familiarity passes for fellowship with You, remind us that here in this place we are standing on holy ground for it is here that You have chosen to make Yourself present in Word and Sacrament.  Help us to worship You in Spirit and truth.

We thank and praise You that You are the God who saves.  You looked upon the people of Israel enslaved in Egypt and You raised up Moses and led them to freedom in the Promised Land.  Even more wonderfully You looked upon a world held in bondage to sin and death and had mercy on us, sending Your Son into our flesh to be our Savior and lead us to heaven.

As we wait for our final deliverance at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us spiritual discernment so that we would not be misled by false teachers.  In every place in Your church where men have assumed the place that belongs only to You, let Your truth ring out that Jesus alone is our Lord and Master.

As we have been chosen by You to be Your own and called by the Gospel into the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, continue to bless and prosper the teaching of your Word so that others might have a place in Your eternal kingdom.  Empower our witness to our friends and neighbors.

Grant that we would never having itching ears willing to listen to false prophets or be swayed to and fro by the changing winds of false doctrine, but that we would stand fast on what we have been taught from Your Word.

When we are challenged by the world around us regarding what we believe, help us by Your Holy Spirit to give a reason for the hope that we have.  Give us the words that we need at that time and bless them with your Spirit’s power so that mockers would be transformed into Your disciples.

We give You thanks the we are sons and daughters of the resurrection and that You are the God of the living.  We remember with thanksgiving our departed sister Caitlynn and the promise of Your word that she rests in Your presence until the day of resurrection when we will be reunited with her and all Your saints around the throne of the Lamb in his kingdom.

Hear the cries of Your people who stand in any need and grant them Your help and aid.  Especially do we pray for J.A., Emma, and Kathlene who need Your healing and for the people of the Philippines affected by the Hurricane.

Whatever else You see that we would; whatever would serve our neighbor and bring glory to You, grant to us dear Father in heaven for we ask it confidently in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.