With gratefulness toward Loving and Gracious Father for the gift and sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, let us lift up the prayers of the few, the many and the unknowns beginning with a moment of silence reflection.

Loving God, the Creator of all that is, we pray for your awesome creation—for stars that light the night, for the sun that lights the day, for trees that make the air, for wildlife that adorns the fields and forests. Make us careful and mindful stewards of the resources that you have granted us. Teach us to tend all things under our charge, as you first ordained before the beginning of time. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, grant to your Church the spirit of your loving-kindness, that all of us sinners and outcasts may embrace our welcome to your banquet. Help us be good disciples, making time to reach out as well as to participate in studies, so that we may continue to learn. Give us strength to turn from the influence of others, so that we don’t imitate their ways. Help us not gossip, exclude others, or make them feel different from ourselves. Give us knowledge to know the way to walk in your path. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, look upon those in authority among the nations of the world. may embrace and ever share in your universal work of liberation and reconciliation. May all the corners of the earth and each home and heart be moved by your authority, direction and wisdom so that everyone who is lost may be found, the outcast may be welcomed, and the proud may be humbled. As we get closer to our nations elections, guide us in our civic duty to elect officials that will serve honestly and faithfully. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, you have granted us water as basis of life as we know it. Let us drink our water with thankfulness, conserve it with care, and demand that fresh water never become a commodity denied to those without enough money. We pray for the upcoming Walk for Water and seek your guidance in how each of us can support this effort. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, there is joy in heaven whenever any human being is restored. May this joy be felt as we lift up prayers for those experiencing challenges of mind, body or spirit. Hear the cries of your people, far and near. Soften our ears to their distress and make us your hands and feet to those needing support and patience. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, you promise that neither death nor life nor anything else in all creation can separate us from your love toward us in Christ Jesus. Renew our faith in the face of doubt and uncertainty. Carry all who have died into your eternal banquet. Give us the unshakeable confidence of those that have gone before us, so that we too may be gathered around your throne on the last day. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving God, thank you for being there when we need you most, when we think we don’t need you, and even when we turn our backs on you. Your love is the one thing we can count on, deserved or not. We lift our prayers to you trusting your promise to hear us, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen