Today’s Prayers of the People come from Sundays and Seasons, Year C, 2022. Augsburg Fortress Press, 2021.
Joining our voices with the heavenly host and Christians throughout time and space, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. (Silence)
God of wanderers, you sent the magi from afar to witness to the mystery and majesty of your birth. Send us into the world with your will in our hearts, on our lips, and in the work of our hands. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
You created heaven and earth. Through your Spirit send your all-encompassing love over the cosmos. Bless the stars that guide our way and the night sky that invites the earth into slumber. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
You sent the magi to follow the star into an uncertain future. May all leaders and peoples seek your face, especially when paths are not clear, conflicts rage, tyrants oppress, and fears abound. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
You sent your Spirit to dwell with Paul in prison. Send your Spirit to those who are imprisoned and enslaved. Give courage and wisdom for building roads that lead to justice and freedom. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
You sent the Holy Family to seek safety in a new land. Protect all who make similar journeys. Send your guiding Spirit to asylum seekers, refugees, and all who journey toward safety. Merciful God, hear our prayer.
You sent your Son, the Prince of Peace, to bring peace to this earth. We pray for peace in our world, especially for those caught in war, and for all who live in fear of violence, extortion, threats, and false accusations. We pray for those serving in the armed forces of this land, especially those on our prayer list: PJ, Scott, Alexis, Cliff, Steven, Michael, Joseph, Greg, and Alex. Protect and guide them, give them wisdom and discernment in the tasks that they are assigned, and bring them home safe in mind, body, and spirit when their work is done. Merciful God, hear our prayer.
Your will for us is health and salvation. Heal all who are suffering, especially those on our prayer list. We pray today for Cornesha Howard, suffering from Covid, for Betty Kunstmann, recovering from a heart procedure, and for Nathan Schakenberg, who suffers from kidney disease. Give strength to those who care for all who are in sorrow, need, or sickness. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Your glory is shown to the saints. We give thanks for those whose earthly journey has ended and who now dwell with you forever. Give us signs of your continual presence until that day when we arise in you. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Rejoicing in your Word made flesh among us, we commend these prayers to you, confident of your grace and love made known to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.