Sunday, September 21, 2014

General Prayer Pentecost 15 Proper 20a



Gracious heavenly Father, hear us as we call upon Your name in prayer:

We give You thanks that You have graciously called us into Your kingdom where there is peace and joy and forgiveness.  Help us to always remember that our life with You is a gift You give through faith in Your Son Jesus Christ and not by the works that we do.

We praise You for all the blessings and benefits You have given us over the course of our lives, especially for the gift of our families.  Bless Michael and Lizz as they celebrate their anniversary and grant them many more happy years together.

We know that Your ways are not our ways and Your thoughts are not our thoughts.  Help us to trust You in times of trial and difficulty.  Grant healing to those who are ill, especially Marty as she recovers from a heart attack.  Watch over and protect all expectant mothers and grant them safe deliveries and healthy children.  Especially do we pray for Jodie that You would help her in her time of need.

When we wander away from the path that leads to life, remind us that You are compassionate and always ready to abundantly pardon our sins.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and empower us to live lives worthy of the Gospel.  In all that we do and say help us to honor Christ with our bodies. 

In those places where You have ordained that Your people would suffer for the sake of Christ, give them courage to remain steadfast and faithful in their confession of faith.  Help Your holy church on earth to advance the Gospel.  Bless our missionaries and their families and grant us boldness to speak Your Word without fear so that those around us could know Your Son Jesus Christ.

Grant Your blessing to our nation and her leaders and our fellow citizens.  Revive the Christian faith in our land so that all our fellow Americans would acknowledge You as their one true King.  Protect our military from harm and danger and support their families in time of need.

As we live our lives and as we face the future help all of us to say:  to live is Christ and to die is gain.  We ask it in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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