a service of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library
Parable of the Three Servants, or, The Talents / JESUS MAFA / 1973 (Click the picture for more information)
Reproduced from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. A complete edition of the prayers is available though Augsburg Fortress [link].
  • Thematic
  • O Holy God of Israel,
    you faithfully keep the promises
    you made to our ancestors
    and lead your people into the future,
    providing hospitality on the way.
    Help us who inherit the pilgrim life
    to journey faithfully at your command,
    that we may be a band of disciples
    called to be sojourners in your service. Amen.

    OR

    God of captives and pilgrims,
    you brought your people home from despair
    and gave them a land of freedom and plenty.
    Look in mercy on us your servants,
    deliver us from the prison of selfishness and sin,
    and bring us home to justice, sharing, and compassion,
    the realm you promised all the world
    in Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen.
  • Intercessory
  • Friends in Christ,
    God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers
    as dear to us as our own needs.
    Loving our neighbors as ourselves,
    we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions
    on behalf of the church and the world.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Hear our prayers, God of power,
    and through the ministry of your Son
    free us from the grip of the tomb,
    that we may desire you as the fullness of life
    and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

    OR

    As you heard the prayer of Isaac and Rebekah, O God,
    and guided them in the way of your love,
    so listen now to those who call upon you.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Move us to praise your gracious will,
    for in Christ Jesus you have saved us from the deeds of death
    and opened for us the hidden ways of your love.
    We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    OR

    Lord God, friend of those in need,
    your Son Jesus has untied our burdens
    and healed our spirits.
    We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,
    those seeking healing,
    those in need within the church and the world.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Hear our prayers
    that we may love you with our whole being
    and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. Amen.

    OR

    Creator God,
    you call us to love and serve you
    with body, mind, and spirit
    through loving your creation
    and our sisters and brothers.
    Open our hearts in compassion
    and receive these petitions
    on behalf of the needs of the church and the world.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Holy One,
    hear our prayers and make us faithful stewards
    of the fragile bounty of this earth
    so that we may be entrusted with the riches of heaven. Amen.

    OR

    We praise your abiding guidance, O God,
    for you sent us Jesus, our Teacher and Messiah,
    to model for us the way of love for the whole universe.
    We offer these prayers of love
    on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors,
    on behalf of your creation and our fellow creatures.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Loving God,
    open our ears to hear your word
    and draw us closer to you,
    that the whole world may be one with you
    as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    OR

    God of mercy and healing,
    you who hear the cries of those in need,
    receive these petitions of your people
    that all who are troubled
    may know peace, comfort, and courage.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Life-giving God,
    heal our lives,
    that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds
    and offer you thanks from generation to generation
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    OR

    God of salvation,
    who sent your Son to seek out and save what is lost,
    hear our prayers
    on behalf of those who are lost in our day,
    receiving these petitions and thanksgivings
    with your unending compassion.

    Prayers of the People, concluding with:

    Redeeming Sustainer,
    visit your people
    and pour out your strength and courage upon us,
    that we may hurry to make you welcome
    not only in our concern for others,
    but by serving them
    generously and faithfully in your name. Amen.
  • Scripture (Series 1, Semicontinuous)
  • God of the covenant,
    even when we fall into sin,
    your Spirit invites us to remember
    that you chose us to be your servant people.
    Awaken us to the power and gifts
    you pour into us for the good of creation,
    and grant that we may be trustworthy in all things,
    producing abundantly as we work to build your realm. Amen.
  • Scripture (Series 2, Complementary)
  • You, O God, are our dwelling-place
    from generation to generation,
    our shield from anguish and distress.
    You arm us as children of light
    with the hope of salvation,
    and you protect us by your love.
    Give us grace to build up
    and encourage one another,
    as we seek wisdom and abundant life
    in the strength of your Word
    and the assurance of your Spirit. Amen.