a service of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library
Boy Singing / Terbrugghen, Hendrik, 1588?-1629 / 1627 (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
  • Your hand is upon your people, O God,
    to guide and protect them through the ages.
    Keep in your service
    those you have called and anointed,
    that the powers of this world may not overwhelm us,
    but that, secure in your love,
    we may carry out your will
    in the face of all adversity. Amen.

    OR

    O God our ruler and shepherd,
    you anointed Jesus
    as the king and servant of your people.
    Make us attentive to your word,
    that we may accept your reign over us
    and serve you alone. 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)
  • Holy God,
    you search us out and know us better
    than we know ourselves.
    As Samuel looked to Eli
    for help to discern your voice,
    and as the disciples looked to Jesus
    for your wisdom on the Sabbath,
    so raise up in our day faithful servants
    who will speak your word to us
    with clarity and grace,
    with justice and true compassion.
    We pray through Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen.
  • Scripture (Series 2, Complementary)
  • Lord of the Sabbath, lawgiver and outlaw,
    you lift the burdens from our shoulders.
    You entrust your treasure to our clay.
    Sabbath in us a rest --
    joyful as tambourines,
    nourishing as bread,
    and available to all people, rich and poor --
    so that withered bodies and spirits can be restored. Amen