Prayers of the People

God be with you,

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, we pray to you this day for a world at war.  Descend into the wills and the imaginations of those who lead the warring nations, and of those striving after reconciliation. Lead them all to the deep serenity and mutual understanding of your peaceable Kingdom.  Divine Advocate, we pray to you today for those who fight one another in the Middle East, in Congo and Rwanda, in Ukraine and Russia. Lead all of your children in the paths of peace so that your joy might abound in us and new life flourish as we move from our entrenched and fortified positions onto your narrow, vulnerable way of true freedom and lasting safety.  You spoke, Holy One, to the prophets of old and you speak still.  Write your laws deeply upon the human heart.

God in your mercy, 

hear our prayer.

Eternal God, your Church lifts up your praises for you are our Rock and our Savior.  You are Lord of all and Creation sings your praise.  We bring into your temple this day our songs of thankfulness.  You made the sea and the earth and all that is in it.   Breathe now your eternal breath of life and hope into our souls as we worship together.  We pray to you today, in a particular way, for your Church here in the Evanston Deanery, and for the people of St. Mark’s Church in Evanston and Greg their rector.  May our words of prayer, our silent presence with you, our hymns of praise and our meditation upon your Word please you and nourish us.  Spirit of the Living God, rest upon this congregation and your entire Church with the fullness of your blessing and make us true disciples.

God in your mercy, 

hear our prayer.

Come, Holy Fire of God, inspire our souls, kindle our hearts with your celestial flame.  Your presence among us is comfort, life, and fire of love.  Enlighten with your perpetual brightness the dullness of our blinded sight.  Impart your gifts to us and anoint with your power those in particular need of your strengthening, healing, restoring grace.  We pray to you today for all those affected by the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda and for Sally, Sherry, Aidan, Isabelle, Norris, Andre, Donna, Gerry & Liz, Newborn Joseph, Nataly, James, and Tyler & Anna

Are there others?  (Silence)

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Author of the New Creation, hear our supplication, O blessed Spirit, O God of peace.  Holy Comforter, enfold in your loving presence all those who have died, especially Chris Saniga.  Dispel the sadness of those who mourn.  Pierce the clouds of nature’s night and make our human hearts your habitation.   Source of Joy and Gladness, shower our spirits with your grace.

God in your mercy, 

hear our prayer.

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.                  The Book of Common Prayer

Amen.