On this third Sunday in Lent, may we join together focusing on God’s gift of his Son while praying for the whole people of God. With this thought in mind, we begin our prayer with a moment of silence to center our thoughts and lift up our personal petitions.

Lord Jesus, You patiently drew the Samaritan woman at the well to the truth of Who You are. She then became a witness for You, telling others about You and leading them to You. We thank and praise You for Your mercy given to her and to the people of her village. We thank and praise You for giving us Your grace and mercy and for calling us to follow You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Spread your peace around the world and move leaders to desire to accomplish your will for righteousness and justice for all people. We humbly pray on behalf of our sisters and brothers around the world who, in remaining faithful to you, endure suffering we can scarcely comprehend. Fulfill in them, and show to their tormentors as well as to all of us, the truth in the Apostle’s words: that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put them to shame, because God’s love has been poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Have mercy on this congregation, dear Lord; do not let it become a place of grumbling or quarreling, but rather a community where we worship you in spirit and in truth; care for one another with gentle and generous hearts; and share the living water of your blessed Son with everyone we know or meet. When we doubt, question, and grumble whether You are among us or not, lead us to hear again all that You have done for Your people, especially what You have done through Jesus, and cause faith to grow in us, trusting that You work all things for good. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Refresh and heal with your Living Water everyone troubled in mind, body or spirit by pain, grief, fear, guilt or confusion. May each of these individuals, families and friends remember Your mercy and grace in Jesus. Increase our faiths in Your faithfulness so that what we face in life will lead us to a stronger faith in Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With reverence and affection, we entrust our beloved dead into your unfailing care, dear Father. Wipe away the tears of those whose grief runs deep. Refresh us with your Word and Sacraments as we pass through the dark valleys and desert places of this life. Help us to encourage one another, to rejoice even though suffering to live in hope, and to lean on your never-failing promises. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

May we go from this place today as Your faithful servant, trusting in You our Lord and Master, knowing that You will guide us in every circumstance this week and lead us in Your way of truth. Into your hands with faith in Your will be done, your children say, Amen.