Prayers of the People

God be with you,

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Living God, you are the Resurrection and you are the Life.  You restore hope in places of despair, you show a way where there is no way, a future where there seems no future.  Be close to those who live under the deepening shade of loss and hunger, fear and death. We lift to your merciful heart today the grieving peoples of Kentucky and the Philippines, Sudan and Ukraine, and all those in need of safety and food, healing and hope here and around the world. Keep them as the apple of your eye, hide them under the shadow of your wings.  And let your eyes be fixed on justice, O Lord. Remind us of our duty to you and to one another and stir our hearts and the hearts of those in power to render all who suffer generous aid.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Eternal God, beyond all years, your Spirit flows free, high surging where it will - a wild, mighty wind, an ocean of fiery, unending love. Your Spirit spoke through the prophets of old - calling your people to walk in your ways - and that Spirit continues to speak in these days of ours. Awaken our hearts today by the power of the Holy Spirit that we, your Church, may faithfully hear your high calling upon our lives, and courageously set our footsteps to follow your paths. Defend us in your service and in our hearts keep watch and ward. Send us into this wounded world to shed abroad your mercy, your peace, your Resurrection hope. In the Evanston Deanery, this week, we pray to you for the people of the Church of St. James the Less in Northfield and Megan, their rector. Weigh our hearts and write upon them your law.  Summon us, melt us down, reforge our souls in the fire of your Spirit and make us your very own.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

O Redeemer of our very selves, our souls and bodies, we trust that you will, at the last, stand upon the earth.  After our flesh has been destroyed, we shall see you, our eyes shall behold you as a friend, and not a stranger.

Be a tender Friend and a mighty Redeemer alike today to all who are sick, who suffer, or who are in any kind of trouble, particularly those we now name, silently or aloud: Sally, Sherry, Ben, Aidan, Cheryl, Griffen, Doug, Sam, Nicolas & Alice, Lexi, and Charlotte. Are there others?

Let the vindication of those who struggle come forth from your presence, O God, and from ours, as well.

We commend to your mercy all who have died especially those we now name silently or aloud. (Silence)  By faith and with your help, we join our hands with those who have gone before us and who stand, by your grace, on the eternal shore. May we, at length, join them in that place of light everlasting.

We call upon you today, O God, for you will answer.   Incline your ear to us and hear our words. 

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.      The Book of Common Prayer

Amen.