Prayers of the People

God be with you,

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Teacher of Our Imaginations, we thank you for instructing our forebears and ancestors in the faith and for sharing your wisdom with us today. You are glorified in open hearts that seek you and your ways. 

We thank you for the work of Bexley-Seabury and all seminaries in forming the hearts and minds of those who seek to serve your Church. We ask that you give wisdom to those who teach and those who learn. Create fertile ground in the Church to receive the seminarians’ generous gifts of self in service. We pray to you today, in a particular way, for this parish of St. Elisabeth’s and for your Church here in the Diocese of Chicago and the Evanston Deanery, especially for Bishop Clark and the people of the Church of the Holy Comforter in Kenilworth and Heath their rector. Instruct your Church, O God, and incline our ears to the words of your mouth so that we are able to open our mouths in praise and parable and declare the mysteries of ancient times. Give us boldness to recount to generations to come your praiseworthy deeds and power, O Lord, and the wonderful works you have done.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord of Our Lives, you show us the Way of Life and bid us to serve you and others in your Name. We pray to you for all those serving in public office, particularly those elected this past week here in Illinois and across these United States of America. Guide them to lead with sincerity and faithfulness, mercy and justice - to not put the false gods of wealth or power or self-interest above the common good. You show us again and again that you care for those we often forget or neglect or cast out - the widow, the orphan, the sick, those who grieve. Gather all leaders to your Heart, O Lord, as Joshua gathered the leaders of the people to him, and instruct them - in the depths of their hearts - to be servants who pursue mercy, healing, beauty and peace - your ways - and not the many idols which distract and distort and destroy. Help us all to ever more put our trust in you and to keep your commandments.  

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lover of Our Souls, incline our hearts to you this day. You are nearer to us than our innermost selves. Your love for us knows no limit. Even when we feel far away from you or in deep darkness, there you are with us offering us grace beyond all imagining. We pray to you for all who suffer or struggle around the world, for all places of warfare and disease, poverty and natural disaster - for the people of France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Sudan, Ukraine and Russia, Gaza and Israel, and for all those for whom we now pray, silently or aloud. For Sally, Sherry, Isabelle, Kara, Norris, Donna, Leigh, Patricia & Richard, Heather, George. Are there others?

We lift up to you, also, all those who have died and all those who mourn, particularly those we now name silently or aloud.

Heart of Our Hearts, protect and heal, nourish and uplift those who are fearful, sorrowful, bowed down or in pain or grief this day and lead all the departed into your everlasting light.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.                             -- Book of Common Prayer

Amen.