Prayers of the People: Easter 4B

Prayers of the People—Easter 4B

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd of your people.  Hear the cry of your flock as we pray, “Good Shepherd, Receive our prayer.”

Good Shepherd, you call us to follow where you lead.  Give us ears to hear and know your voice.  And give us the courage and strength to lay down our lives for one another, as even you laid down your life for us.

Silence

Good Shepherd,

Receive our prayer.

Good Shepherd, gather to yourself the people of the world so there will be one flock under your reign.  Forgive us for our hatred and divisions.     

Silence

Good Shepherd,

Receive our prayer.

Good Shepherd, you have blessed us with green pastures and still waters—places in your world where we find rest and renewal.  We thank you for the beauty of the earth. 

I ask your thanksgivings, followed by Silence

Good Shepherd,

Receive our prayer.

Good Shepherd, even when wolves attack, you never leave your loved ones; even in the valley of the shadow of death, you are present.  Be with all victims of violence.  Comfort them in their distress.

Silence

Good Shepherd,

Receive our prayer.

Good Shepherd, you love us so much that you call us each by name: We pray for the healing of our brothers and sisters in your name.

I ask your petitions, followed by Silence

Good Shepherd,

Receive our prayer.

Good Shepherd, you are our salvation.  Grant all who have died a dwelling place in your house forever.

Silence

Good Shepherd,

Receive our prayer.

Prayers of the People: Easter 3B

Prayers of the People—Easter 3B

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.  So let us appeal to the Lord saying, “Answer us when we call, O God; Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.”

Speak peace to your Church, Lord Christ.  Open our minds to your truth.  Open our hearts to your presence.  And send us forth into the world as witnesses to your resurrection. 

Silence

Answer us when we call, O Lord;

Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

Speak peace to our world, Lord Christ.  Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!”  Lift up the light of your countenance; give the people of the world hope.

I ask your thanksgivings, followed by Silence

Answer us when we call, O Lord;

Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

Speak peace to the earth, Lord Christ.  You entered into the created order and blessed it.  Give us eyes to see signs of redemption.  Give us the courage to responsibly care for all that you have made.

Silence

Answer us when we call, O Lord;

Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

Speak peace to those who work for the end of hunger and poverty, Lord Christ.  You know the pangs of hunger; you know also the depth of our community’s need.  May those who become discouraged in this work put their trust in you.  Set free all those who are hard-pressed; fulfill all those in need.

Silence

Answer us when we call, O Lord;

Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

Speak peace to the sick and sorrowful, Lord Christ.  When we call upon you, you hear us.  You do wonders for the faithful.  And so in your name we pray that our loved ones would have their health restored. 

I ask your petitions, followed by Silence

Answer us when we call, O Lord;

Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.

Speak peace to those who are dying and those who are grieving, Lord Christ.  Having been baptized into your death, O Christ, we long for the day when we will be like you, experiencing the fullness of your resurrection.

Silence

Answer us when we call, O Lord;

Have mercy on us and hear our prayer.