Prayers of the People

God be with you,

And also with you

Let us pray.

Creator of the stars of night, we crown you with our praise as Lord of lords, as Ruler of rulers, as King of kings.   You reign with grace and mercy, justice and power over heaven and earth, over all you have made, as the God of truth and love.  Guide our nation and our leaders in the paths of righteousness and reconciliation.  Stand in the midst of this world’s suffering, O Thorn Crowned King, and work mightily for the welfare of all who cry out for help.   You know our pain, our darkness, our death.  In our confusions, inspire wisdom, from our rendings, generate wholeness.  Come, O Christ, and dwell among us.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Everlasting Light of your people, you give us hope and faith and gladness.  You show us what yet might be.  We pray today for your Church.  With signs of ending all around us, speak, O God, your Word among us.  Fill our lives with your presence.   In the Evanston Deanery this week, we pray for St. Luke’s Church in Evanston and Kat their Rector.  Make us still to hear your voice amidst the noise of this world that we may find in you our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.   Make us strong with all the strength that comes from your glorious power.  Come, O Christ, and dwell among us.  

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Jesus, Redeemer of us all, you rise victorious in the strife for those you came to save.  In you the fullness of God is pleased to dwell with healing and with hope.  We lift to that mending power all who are sick, who suffer, or who are in any kind of trouble, particularly Sally, Sherr, Aidan, Ben, Cheryl, Griffin, Doug Sam, Nicolas & Alice, Lexi, Charlotte, and James.

Are there others?

Eternal King, whose wondrous name is Love, take and bear the griefs of your people. Come, O Christ, and dwell among us.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Lord of Life, you triumph over destruction and the grave.  Lead into realms of unending light all who have died. (Silence)  

God, our Mighty Fortress, gather all your saints and children into our eternal home where we may rest secure in your peace.  Come, O Christ, and dwell among us.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.    The Book of Common Prayer

Amen.