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prayers of the people: come, Holy Spirit, fill the earth

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based on Romans 8:14-30

God our Parent, your Spirit makes us your children.
You set us free from fear
and promise us the inheritance of eternal life in Christ.

We long for the fulfillment of Christ’s glory,
the revelation of God’s children for all creation.
We pray for this creation, sitting between the frustration of what is
and the coming birth of what is to come.
Make your hope visible in us,
and make our lives a force for the renewal of creation.
Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the earth.

God of all hope,
we pray for what we have not seen,
and we call on you for the needs that are closest to our hearts.
Heal, comfort, and give hope.
Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the earth.

God of compassion,
we pray even for what we don’t know.
Let your Spirit search deep within our hearts
and pray for us with groans too deep for words…
Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the earth.

Sovereign God,
gather all things and all events
together in your love,
for the good of your beloved people
and your sacred creation.
Guard and guide our future.
Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the earth.

Fill the earth with the image of Christ,
through whom and in whom all things were created,
by whom all things are redeemed. Amen.

submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams (he/him), Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA

POP: strength rises up

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O Lord our rock, our hearts rejoice in you.
Holy One, our strength rises up
with joy in your deliverance!
You know our every action,
and you lift up those who stumble.

We pray that your peace would shatter the weapons of war,
that your justice would humble those who fill themselves to overflowing,
that those who are starving now would find food in abundance.
We pray for lives that feel barren,
for hearts that are bereaved,
for all who are trapped by the power of death.
We pray for these dear ones who are close to our hearts…

You, Lord, turn death into life.
You, Lord, turn poverty into wealth
and tear down the unjust wealth that drives others into poverty.
When the world sweeps away those who are poor like dust
and tosses out those in need as if they were garbage,
you lift them up and restore them to honor.

You who established the pillars of the earth,
guard our hearts and guide our feet,
so we might be now and ever faithful
to your world-transforming covenant faithfulness.
We pray in Jesus’ name,
who prays with us as we seek your kingdom…

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Submitted by Rev. Nathan Williams, Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, IA

prayers of the people: in your love and mercy

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Holy One, in your love and mercy: hear our prayer.

Holy One, Spark of Life,
creation was envisioned by you and is sustained by you;
in gratitude we pray for the world:
that its riches and resources be used responsibly and fairly;
that its rulers and leaders may govern with justice, compassion and humility;
that humankind may live with understanding and respect,
noticing what unites us;
In your love and mercy: hear our prayer.

Holy One, Prophet of Love,
you lived among us to teach us – to show us – how to love;
in humility we pray for siblings around the globe:
for those dehumanized by their struggle for existence, may we listen;
for those overshadowed by the constancy of death, may we notice;
for those besieged by fear, anger and relentless peril, may we show up;
for those ensnared by systems beyond their control, may we demand change.
In your love and mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy One, Breath of Being,
you are here – in this very moment – as constant presence and insistent voice;
in gratitude we pray…with boldness we pray:
inundate the world with humanity,
overwhelm the world with truth,
flood the world with kindness,
upset our indifference,
accelerate our action,
fortify our resolve,
compel us to authentic discipleship
that nurtures creation, embodies love and breathes life.
In your love and mercy, hear our prayer.

submitted by Katherine Kussmaul, Saint Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC

prayers of the people: come to us

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Word of God, come to us as you came to Lazarus.

Come to the caves of our lives –
caves we have created,
and caves we have sought;
Caves to which we have been sent,
caves in which we now reside.

Come to the caves of our world –
caves of containment,
and caves of protection;
Caves of solace and anxiety,
caves that quickly become tombs.

Word of God, come to us as you came to Lazarus.

Call us back to life –
life created by you,
and life sustained by you;
Life in relationship with you,
life in service to others.

Call us back to life –
life that is hope in despair,
and peace in unsettled times.
Life that is joy in sorrow,
love beyond understanding.

Word of God, come to us as you came to Lazarus.

Unbind us and set us free –
liberate shackles of sadness,
and burdens too heavy to bear.
Release us from fear that inhibits
deliver us in your grace.

Unbind us and set us free –
call us to community,
and fuel us for connection.
Show us your way,
inspire us to walk with you.

Through the renewing power of your Spirit,
and grounded in the words you teach us to pray….

submitted by Katherine Kussmaul, Saint Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, North Carolina

prayer for COVID-19: in the midst

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Holy One,
Bridger of Distance,
Connector of Beings,
hear our prayer….

In the midst
of non-stop news stories
about illness and scarcity,
press conferences and cancellations…
grant us quiet in our minds.

In the midst
of heightened anxiety
about caregivers and caregiving,
about health and hygiene,
grant us calm in our hearts.

In the midst
of opposing views:
close doors or stay open,
reach out or hunker down…
grant us peace in our spirits.

In the midst
of distance
in our families, our faith communities,
in all our relationships with others…
grant us connection in our separation.

In the midst
of our lives:
our gratitude and concerns,
our hopes and longings…
grant us an abiding sense of Your Comfort.

 

submitted by Katherine L. Kussmaul, Pastor, Saint Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, North Carolina