Prayers of the People (9.15.24)

O Merciful God,

you direct our lives.

Grant that we may ardently desire, carefully examine and truly know what is pleasing to you. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Prayers asking God for a deep desire to know and be known by him)  

Grant to us, O God,

a vigilant heart that no subtle speculation may ever lead us away from you. 

May we trust your truth over our circumstances.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

(Prayers asking for endurance as we follow Jesus where he leads)

Grant to us, O God,

a noble heart that no unworthy affection may draw us away from you. Out of your love for us, help us become a blessing to our families, neighbors, coworkers, and community.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Prayers for our church to be of united vision and affection for one another and our community)

Give us a way of life pleasing to you; 

perseverance to trust 

and await you in confidence 

that we shall embrace you at the last.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(Prayers of praise that God walks and waits with us in suffering and in successes)

And finally, grant to us, O Lord, 

A mind to know you, 

diligence to seek you, 

and wisdom to find you. Amen.

Prayers of the People (9.8.24)

from Psalm 68

O God, who makes the righteous glad, 

We pray for your Church,

that you would use us to bless our neighbors and glorify your name. 

Summon your power, O God;

Show us your strength. 

You bear our burdens daily. 

You are a God who saves. 

(Silent prayers for God’s church to follow him wherever he leads) 

We pray for your creation, that you would protect it and cause it to flourish, 

that it would reflect your majesty 

and your generosity. 

The earth trembles in your presence. 

Your rains refresh what is weary. 

Your creation’s abundance provides for the poor. 

(Silent prayers for God’s creation and all that is in it)

We pray for those who suffer in body or mind, 

for those who have been oppressed, 

and for those who are searching for belonging. 

You are Father of the fatherless 

and protector of widows.

You make homes for the lonely. 

You lead prisoners to prosperity.

You provide for the needy. 

(Silent prayers for someone who is suffering)

Almighty and eternal God, 

ruler of all things in heaven and earth, 

Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, 

and strengthen us to do your will

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayers of the People (9.1.24)

O merciful God,
Fill our hearts with the graces of your Holy Spirit,
With love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

(Prayers for the Holy Spirit to shape you into a person who bears good fruit) 

We ask your kindness for all, but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. 

Love them, O fountain of love, 

and move them to love you with all their hearts.

(Prayers for a friend or loved one)

Teach us also to love those who hate us.
You make your sun to shine 

on the evil and the good,
and send rain on the just and on the unjust. 

(Prayers for one you struggle to love or forgive)

In adversity, grant us grace to be patient.
In prosperity, keep us humble.
Help us guard the door of our lips,
to give little regard for the pleasures of this world.
(Prayers for an eternal perspective regardless of your current circumstances)

God of love, whose compassion never fails;
we bring you the griefs of peoples and nations;
the necessities of the homeless;
the helplessness of the aged and weak;
the pains of the sick and injured;
the sorrow of the bereaved.

Comfort and relieve them, O merciful Father.

(Prayers for those who suffer in your neighborhood, nation, and world)

We ask all these things with confidence in your power and your goodness, 

in the name of the Father, the Son, 

and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Prayer: An Explosion of Dissatisfaction

Every road trip starts with an explosion- gas hits the starter, and a little bomb goes off in your engine. But thats not the only kind of explosion; the energy to move anywhere is begun by an explosion (however small) of dissatisfaction about where you are.

The psalms of ascent follow the rules of the road trip. They begin with an explosion. But the destination of the journey is radically different. The journey ends in Jerusalem, at the presence of God. Listen to the sermon below: