Prayers of the People

Based on “Honoring God in Creation” – Form 3 – on the theme of earth

God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Sculptor of the Mountains, Miller of the Sand, you formed us and all living things from the matter of your good Creation.  You found us upon the abundant substance of your grace and nourish us with the fruit of vine, forest, and field.   Mindful of our dependence upon the provision of the soil and the strength of the firmament, we thank you and we pray to you for our lives and for the life of the world around us.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Bread of Life, you showered your wandering people with manna in the wilderness, fed the hungry crowds with loaves, and instituted this Holy Eucharist to nourish our souls in Christian community.  We thank you for the beauty of the earth - for hill and vale, tree and flower - through which you speak to us of complexity and growth, serenity and life.  Give us eyes to see you at work in our midst and grateful hearts to cherish your presence among us.  We pray to you today, in a particular way, for your Church here in the Diocese of Chicago and the Evanston Deanery, especially for Bishop Paula Clark and the people of St. David’s Church in Glenview and Paul their rector.  Root and ground us all in you.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Lord of the All the Earth, King of Creation, shape the moral imagination of those in authority that they understand our common dependence upon the health and abundance of this planet.  Make them to exercise wise stewardship over the fruit of the earth that all people have enough food to eat.  Lead us, through the actions of our lives and stewardship of our own goods, to do our part to ensure that none of your children go hungry.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Maker and Shaper of the Land, we beg you to shed your grace upon this patch of good earth on which we live - the forests, fields, prairies, valleys and hills here in the Midwest, in Illinois, in Cook County, in Glencoe.   Bless us with seasonable weather and bounty enough to share with those in need.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

God of Mountain Peak, Forest Path and Desert Sands, protect and accompany those in danger in the wild places of the world.  Safeguard all pilgrims and travelers, all those who are lost, all on battlefields or in warzones, all who are far from home, all who have no home to go to.  We ask that you surround with your mighty power and merciful presence all those who are sick or suffering, all those for whom we now pray, silently or aloud. Sally, Sherry, Isabelle, Norris, Andre, Adele & Rick, Donna, Leigh, Quinn, Griffin & Cheryl, Patricia.

Are there others? (Silence)

Jesus, you accompanied your friends on the dusty roads of Palestine.  Walk with us and be near to all those in need of your saving help and your loving presence.   Never leave us to face our perils alone.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Ground of All, in you we live and move and have our Being.  We ask your mercy this day for all who have died and for all who mourn, that they may find, through your help, steady ground to stand upon, strength enough to stand, and a warm homecoming in your verdant Paradise at the last.

God in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; 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.