Prayers of the People

God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Holy One of Might and Mercy, you stilled the storms on the Sea of Galilee and you endeavor to calm our tempestuous hearts and world today.  We pray to you this morning for those who take counsel for the nations of the world that they govern and lead from a place of inner stillness and peace and not from the raging fears and selfish ambitions which so often consume the deliberations of the powerful.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Eternal Father, Strong to Save, your arm has bound the restless wave and ordered all Creation within the limits of your care.  We pray to you today for fishermen, for sailors in military or civilian service, and for all who set out upon the oceans of the world, particularly refugees and migrants.  Shield them in danger’s hour from rock and tempest and protect them wherever they go.  O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea. 

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Jesus, Lover of Our Souls, we arrive at our worship today in need of you.  We gather here to search for your presence ground and center us and your strength to uplift and uphold us.  We come desiring to praise you in gratitude for the blessings of our lives.  We continually seek your face.  Foster a deep trust in your goodness and mercy among us, even amidst the storms of life.  We pray to you today, in a particular way, for your Church here in the Diocese of Chicago and in the Evanston Deanery, especially for Bishop Paula Clark and the people of Saint Luke’s Church in Evanston and Kat their rector.  Shelter your people under the shadow of your wing.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Most Holy Spirit, you brooded over the watery chaos in the Beginning of all things and gave to its wild confusion, with an artist’s hand, peace and order, goodness and beauty.   You create and re-create new life in us and in all that is.  Share your plenteous grace with those for whom we now pray Sally, Sherry, Isabelle, Norris, Andre, Adele & Rick, Donna and Leigh .

Are there others? (Silence)

Accompany and comfort them.  Let your healing streams abound. 

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Holy Trinity of Love and Power, in you is our beginning and our ending, our living, our dying, our refuge and our eternal home.  We pray that you receive into your everlasting heritage all those who have died this week, especially Sam Badger, beloved member of this parish.

Are there others? (Silence)

Guide all the departed to your haven and receive their souls at last.  And leave not alone in sorrow those who grieve their absence but support and embrace them through all who care for them and walk beside them.  Comfort and console them in their loss with abiding memories of love and joy.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.          – Book of Common Prayer

Amen.