Prayers of the People

God be with you,

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord of all hopefulness, your glory fills the morning skies, your brightness shines in starlight. Visit with your everlasting dawn those places where violence, terror, and suffering seem to reign - Sudan and Ukraine, India and Pakistan, and the streets of our cities here in America, particularly the city of Chicago. Impart your inward light to the leaders of the nations that their decisions - and ours - radiate outward into deeds which do not further deepen the darkness of the world but rather reflect the undimmed light of your heavenly truth, beauty, and goodness.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord of all joy, all our hope is founded on you.  Be near to all who suffer inwardly from mental illness, sin, grief or despair and strengthen them.  Pierce the gloom of hopelessness and fear with the beams of your enlivening mercy.  Lord of all eagerness, you gladden our eyes and warm our hearts with your abiding presence in our daily lives.  Inspire us to seek you in all things, attentive in every moment.  Root us in your being, O Living God, that we may grow abundantly in your grace.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord of all faithfulness, through change and chance alike you guide your people.  We pray you to make faithful the deliberations and decisions of the 188th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago which gathers later this week. Bless and guide with your Holy Wisdom our clergy, delegates, and alternates from this parish - Adam, Larry, Carrie, Robert, Kay, Anne, Libby and Linda. In the Evanston Deanery this week, we pray for Christ Church in Winnetka and Matthew, their rector.  Lord of all kindliness, make us seeds of that new heaven and new earth which you ever rejoice in creating - a realm free of hurt or destruction where no more shall the sound of weeping, the cry of distress be heard.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord of all grace, you remember your mercy and faithfulness to all your people and particularly those who suffer. We lift to you in prayer today all who are sick or struggling or in need of your healing balm particularly those we now name, silently or aloud: Sally, Sherry, Aidan, Ben, Cheryl, Griffin, Doug, Sam, Nicholas & Alice, Lexi, Charlotte, and James. Are there others?

Lord of all gentleness, embrace all who are wounded or weary in your mighty arms and receive into your eternal presence those who have died, especially those we now name silently or aloud. (Silence) 

Lord of all calm, amidst the many cares and trials of our world and our lives, fill us with your peace and make our hearts one with yours.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.         BCP

Assembly           Amen.