Pentecost General Prayer (adapted from "The Lutheran Liturgy")

Almighty God, we give You thanks that on this day You poured out Your Spirit on the sons of men and we praise You for the gracious assurance that he will remain with Your people always, even to the end of days.

Without His mighty working we can do nothing that is pleasing unto You.  We do not know what to pray for as we should unless He makes intercession for us.  We cannot say Jesus is Lord except by His aid.  We need His inspiration to think those things that are good and require His guidance to perform the same. 

Let not our past abuse of Your mercies provoke You to cast us away from Your presence or take Your Spirit from us but instead give us true repentance and greater diligence in the use of the means of grace and salvation.

Pour out Your Spirit on all flesh.  Arise in the greatness of Your strength and awaken to a life of righteousness those who are dead in trespasses and sins.  Send out Your light and truth to the people who do not know Your name.  Bestow spiritual blessings on the churches of Your people.  May they be edified by the truth that it is in Christ Jesus; and walking in Your fear and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, may Your people be multiplied exceedingly.

Bless all ministers of Your Word; endue them with Your holy Spirit, enrich them with Your heavenly grace, and let the words which they speak in Your name be applied to the hearts of men in demonstration of the same Spirit and of power.

Bless our nation and its leaders and all our fellow citizens.  Watch over and protect our military.  Grant Your wisdom to all of those who make and administer our laws so that the weak would be protected and justice done.

Remember the righteous in their afflictions, especially Liam, Debbie, Sally, Shirley, LaNell, Teresa, Don, Lisa, David, and Madeline who need Your healing. 

We give You thanks for every earthly gift, especially for the gift of life You have granted to Your servant Amanda.  Continue to bless her in body and soul all her days. 

Help us in every time of need, and at the last grant us Your everlasting peace, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.