As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. (v.13)
We're hanging by our fingernails until we let go and fall into your lap, O God, divine Parent of us all. Amen.
Prayer concern: Caregivers in nurseries and nursing homes
Psalm 66:1-9; 2 Kings 2:1-15; Romans 7:14-25
After this [Jesus] said to [Peter], "Follow me." (v.19)
Thank you, Jesus the Christ, for giving us second, third, and indeed infinite chances to follow you. Amen.
Prayer concern: People fleeing congregations that have hurt them
Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7; 2 Timothy 3:6-8, 17-18
To [God] be the glory forever and ever. (v.18)
Christ Jesus, your gospel comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. To you be the glory. Amen.
Prayer concern: Missionaries in war-torn parts of the world
Psalm 140; Jeremiah 3:15-18; Ephesians 5:6-20
Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications. (v.6)
I'm on my knees before you, thankful for your gift of grace, O God. Raise me up to follow your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who believe that God is out to hurt them
Genesis 24:34-41, 50-67; 1 John 2:7-11
We share your sadness. Lord Jesus. May it make us determined to follow your lead and seek to heal the world. Amen.
Prayer concern: People experiencing homelessness
1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (v.25)
How grateful we are, O God, that you call us through Christ to the freedom of loving each other. Alleluia!
Prayer concern: Councilors, mediators, arbitrators
Psalm 16: Deuteronomy 32:15-27, 39-43; Luke 9:21-27
But his mother said, "No; he is to be called John." (v.60
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has looked favorably on us and redeemed us through Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer concern: For all to know their most important name is "child of God"
Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 141; Acts 13:13-26
[Christ] is our peace . . . [and] has made both groups into one and has broken down the sividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. (v.14)
Holy God, thank you for creating us in your image and bringing us the gift of peace, through Christ. Amen.
Prayer concern: For the healing of divisions in the church
Psalm 63: Job 19:1-22
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. (v.1)
Lord Jesus, you who were a refugee, our hearts are glad that we can help those who are fleeing death. Amen.
Prayer concern: People fleeing persecution
Leviticus 9:22 - - - 10:11; 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
They found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. (v.35)
Jesus, Son of the Most High God, you choose to be in loving relationship with all of us. Thank you. Amen.
Prayer concern: People who are searching for healing
Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 22:19-28; Galatians 3:23-29
PS: Got the date wrong ... OH WELL
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread enemy. (v.1)
Christ Jesus, your command to us to love and pray for our enemies is life-giving. We thank you. Amen.
Prayer concern: Social media purveyors and television commentators
Job 18:1-21; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
All of you are one in Christ. (v.28)
Christ Jesus, help us tear down the doors that divide us. In you name we pray. Amen.
Prayer concern: Immigrants and refugees
Psalm 22:19-28; Isaiah 59:1-8; Matthew 9:27-34
But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid. (v.19)
Lord Jesus, our cry of forsakenness echoes yours. Thank you for being close to us when we despair. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who grief is new today
Isaiah 57:1-13; Galatians 3:15-22
I said, "Here I am, here I am." (v.1b)
Holy God, hold out your arms to us, then beckon us to follow Jesus. Help us say, "Here I am!" Amen.
Prayer concern: Orthopedic hand surgeons
Psalm 22:19-28; Isaiah 56:9-12; Romans 2:17-29
But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into . . . Christ. (v.15)
Holy God, expand our realities so that we might love others and become like you. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who are disenfranchised
Psalm 124: Daniel 1:1-21; Luke 1:46b-55
Keep my teachings as the apple of your eye. (v.2)
O God, help us remember and learn from the past, heeding your call to justice and peace. Amen.
Prayer concern: The church's work for justice
Psalm 124; Proverbs 8:4-41; Ephesians 5:15-20
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers. (v.7)
God, save us from times of trouble and deliver us from evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who are in trouble
Proverbs 7:1-4; Ephesians 4:7-16
{Barnabas} exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion. (v.23)
God, send peaceful and wise encouragers to guide us when we're afraid. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who are stuck in life
Isaiah 42:5-12; Psalm 112; Matthew 10:7-16
Suffering produces endurance. (v.3)
O God, be by my side when I am suffering, that I might know hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer concern: People who are suffering alone
Psalm 8: Proverbs 3:19-26; Ephesians 4:1-6
PS: Battery died watching CNN per our agreement
You have made [human beings] a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. (v.5)
God, help us look beyond limitation in ourselves and others to see your handiwork. In Christ's name. Amen.
Prayer concern: That all might be treated with honor
Proverbs 3:13-18; Ephesians 1:17-19
I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight. (v.30)
O God, help parents and other adults experience delight in the children you entrust to their care and reflect your wisdom and love. Amen.
Prayer concern: Parents with young children
Psalm 48: Numbers 24:1-14; Luke 1:26-38
I will gather you from the peoples, and assemple you out of the countries where you have been scattered. (v.17)
Searching God, find and claim your children throughout all the world and all of time. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who don't know about God's love for them
Psalm 48; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden. (v.7)
Loving God, thank you for defying reason to claim us and save us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer concern: People of faith who work in science
Psalm 48: Joel 2:18-29
But the Advocate . . . will . . . ewmind you of all that I have said to you. (v.26)
Holy Spirit, guide my life, help me in serving and suffering, and bring me to eternal life. Amen.
Prayer concern: The youth in our churches
Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21
All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" (v.12)
Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with boldness, that we might declare your praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who profess their faith at uncertain occasions
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 2 Kings 2:1-15a; Luke 1:5-17
You have received a spirit of adoption. (v.15)
Heavenly Parent, thank you for accepting us; help us accept others. In Christ's name. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those awaiting adoption
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Isaiah 44:1-4; Galatians 6:7-10
O Lord, how manifold are your works! (v.24)
Creator God, thank you for your care of creation. Help us be good stewards of your earth. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those who study and care for the earth
Isaiah 32:11-17; Galatians 5:16-25
Let us make a name for ourselves. (v.4)
Holy God, regardless of how we are named, help us know we are your children. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer concern: Those graduating this spring
Psalm 29: Ezekiel 3:12-21; Luke 9:18-27
