Lent 2a General Prayer

Lord God heavenly Father, as we come to You in prayer in Jesus’ name, we seek Your strength and Your presence in our lives:

Grant us courage to step out in faith at Your call and command.  As we journey through life lead us safely along the way that You would have us go.

Lord God, Your judgments are in all the earth.  Judge the nations with equity so that the leaders of the world would acknowledge Your rightful rule and all their citizens live in peace and safety.  Especially do we ask Your blessing upon the leaders of our nation and our fellow citizens that You would grant a spiritual revival to our nation.

Just as Your servant Abraham built an altar and worshiped You in the midst of the unbelieving nations, give us a heart that makes worship in Your house a priority and a witness to the world around us of our faith and trust in You.

We give You thanks that You graciously count our faith in You as righteousness in Your sight and that You justify those who believe in Your Son Jesus Christ.  In our life with You, help us to rest upon Your grace and not upon our works.

When we face questions in our life of faith grant us to follow the example of Nicodemus and bring them to Jesus.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that the new birth You have given us in the waters of Holy Baptism would develop into a fruitful faith, anxious to serve our neighbor and do good to those around us.

Gracious heavenly Father, impress upon our hearts the Good News that your love extends to all people and that Jesus Christ was lifted up on the cross for us all.  Open our lips to tell of Your love to others and give us generous hearts that are ready to support the mission of the church so that others may hear and believe.

We thank You for all of Your good gifts that support our earthly life, especially for the rain You have sent.  Continue to send rain upon this dry land.  Support all of those who are facing changes in their lives and assure them that You are watching over them and will guide them.  According to Your wise, fatherly will, grant healing to those who are ill and comfort those who mourn.

Whatever else You see that we need; whatever serves our neighbor and brings glory to You; grant to us dear Father in heaven for we ask all things trusting in Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.