Prayer of the People

God be with you,

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Holy One of Blessing, upon the ancient mountain you planted the banner of your eternal kingdom.   Enflame our hearts to ever march beneath your standard and not the unfurled flags of the Evil One.   Make us and all in your Church a channel of your blessing for a world crying out for grace and mercy, justice and peace.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Bless O Lord, we pray, the poor and the grieving today.  Lift up all those who suffer because of economic insecurity and human greed and rally to their side, in solidarity, generous support from their neighbors.  Embrace all who mourn the battle dead in Ukraine and Sudan and all who grieve the killing of citizens at the hands of their governments in Iran and in America.   Lead us to comfort those who weep as you never fail to do.  

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Bless, we pray, the peacemakers in this world, the merciful ones, and all who hunger and thirst for righteousness.   Fill our hearts with such a hunger and our lives with such deeds.   Shape the imaginations of our leaders and all in authority that they will strive to build a world inspired by the holy values of your heavenly realm and not their own fallen and self-centered desires, fears, and ambitions. 

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Continue to bless, we pray, the meek and the pure of heart whose small, simple paths of ordinary kindness and goodness, generosity and faith often go unnoticed as we direct our attention to bloody headlines and the affairs of leaders and nations.   Remind us, Holy One, that in the end we can do no great things but only small things with great love.   Make our everydays the place where we become living blessings, walking humbly in your way of justice and kindness.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Bless, Holy One, all those who we name in our prayer today, silently or aloud, particularly Sally, Sherry Aidan, Isabelle, Anne, Ben, and Chuck & family. Are there others?

We bring to you also, all those who have died, particularly Melvin Niepagen. (Silence)

Lead all those for whom we pray out from pain and loss, struggle and darkness into the valley of love and delight.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Silence

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.                                      The Book of Common Prayer

Amen.