Prayers: August 29, 2010

Knowing that we are never alone; that Almighty God walks beside us every step, we lift up our prayers and allow God to carry our burdens, saying: Lord, have mercy.

For the ability to put our trust in God, that we may find refuge and bring security to others. For Christians everywhere, and for those who do not yet know His name. We pray for Christ Church and all who are new or visiting today. We give thanks for this Diocese and for the ministry of St. Thomas’, Hancock and Nativity, Cedarcroft. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we give thanks for Iglesia Anglicana del Cono Sur de America. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

We thank you, God, for your gifts, your strength, and your guidance, especially when we are most in need. We give thanks for all those celebrating the anniversary of a birth, baptism, or wedding this week. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those whose worldly possessions has caused them to have turned from their faith, that they may hear the call to do God’s work; and for those who have nothing, yet their faith is abundant, that they may inherit the Earth. We pray for the hungry, the homeless, the unemployed, those who are sick, and those who sorrow. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

We give thanks to our Lord for His Salvation and grace that extends beyond this Earthly world. We rejoice in the promise of everlasting life as we pray for all those that have gone before us. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Almighty God, accept our prayers and help us to recognize our own temptations, that we may allow you to guide us and better serve you on the path of righteousness. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayers: August 22, 2010

Savior, Jesus, your love walked into the Temple on the Sabbath and your heart responded to the years of suffering housed in a crippled soul.  Her need was greater for you, at that moment in time, than all the protocols of the Sabbath.  Without one plea from her poor and broken spirit, You recognized her need and you healed her.  Your love and your mercy echoes through the generations and you teach us through all ages that the heart of worship is selfless love. Lord, Christ, we rejoice that our lives are in your hands.  We give you thanks and we each pray: Lord, let your love live through me today.

As we leave this worship place today, may we live into your call to be your heart, your hands and your feet in this world; a love that brings peace, strength and hope.  May we learn each day that in this sometimes weary land, You are always enough. We each pray: Lord, let your love live through me today.

We thank you for the blessing of our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and in our Diocese we pray for St. Mark’s On The Hill, Pikesville, St. Peter’s, Ellicott City and St. George’s, Mt. Savage.  We give thanks for our Bishops Eugene and John and for our Rector Richard, and for our staff; Maggie, Jenifer, Linda, Cynthia, HouFei and Elizabeth and for our Wardens, Ellen and Rick.  We lift up all of those hearts at Christ Church who are filled with your love and selflessly give of themselves in your name. We each pray: Lord, let your love live through me today.

We pray for your mercy and for your love; for the hands and hearts that will carry peace to the broken, hope to those hungry or lost and strength to suffering souls. In our own congregation we pray for those who suffer in mind, body or spirit and for those who care for them, especially.  We each pray; Lord, let your love live through me today.

We pray for those souls who have departed this life. Welcome them home, we pray, Lord, into your loving arms and the peace and joy of your eternal kingdom.  Comfort their families and all who grieve and suffer loss this day.  We each pray, Lord, let your love live through me today.

We rejoice with our Church family for those visiting with us today, and we give thanks for occasions of joy in our lives as we celebrate birthdays, baptismal anniversaries and wedding anniversaries.  We each pray: Lord, let your love live through me today.

Lord Christ, your love reaches out through the ages. You call to us and teach us through your Word this day and so we give thanks for all who hear your call and carry it into our world.  We seek the gifts of humility and selflessness to faithfully carry that love in our own lives, We pray; Lord, live in and through me. Amen

Prayers: August 8, 2010

Heavenly Father, Your word tells us that Abraham lived his faith while staying in the temporary shelter of a tent, anticipating life in a home with a true foundation.  We pray that we also find faith in the one true foundation as we live through uncertain but temporary times.  For this we pray, saying: Lord, hear our prayer and guide us.

We pray for the will and the courage to do good, to seek justice for all and to help to rescue the oppressed, particularly those affected by violence, poverty and disasters.  We pray for those in positions of power throughout this world that they may make decisions to bring peace and hope to those who suffer.  We pray, saying: Lord, hear our prayer and guide us.

In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we lift up the Church of the Province of South East Asia.  We give thanks for the Diocese of Maryland, for our Bishops Eugene and John, and for those in other leadership positions, past and present, within our Diocese. We give thanks for the opportunity to come together at Christ Church, for Richard our Rector, and for all who worship here today, including those who are new or visiting.  May we learn how to serve the Church by the examples set by others.  We pray saying: Lord, hear our prayer and guide us.

We ask for comfort for those who are ill in body, mind or spirit, and those you now name, and for faith and wisdom for those who care for the ill.  For this, we pray saying: Lord, hear our prayer and guide us.

We remember those who have died and entered eternal life.  May we also look forward to entering your heavenly country.  We pray saying: Lord, hear our prayer and guide us.

We give thanks for the joy of those in our congregation who celebrate anniversaries of their wedding, birth, baptism or other occasions.  May we always be conscious of these blessings and show our gratitude for all that we have.  We pray saying: Lord, hear our prayer and guide us.

As we look to the week ahead, we pray that we will honor You with thanksgiving.  We pray that we will remember our love for You and that we will show that love through acts of kindness to others.  And we pray that that we will abandon our fears and replace them with faith in Your mercy.  For this pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Prayers: August 1, 2010

Scripture reminds us to not only hear the Word of the Lord but also to listen to the teaching of our God. As we prepare for the coming week, help us to remember that through faith, we increase our understanding and hear God’s call more clearly. We ask for God’s grace, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith.

As we travel, work, and play during these remaining summer days, let us recall every day all the ways, large and small, that God reveals himself, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith.

We pray that God’s Holy Spirit will guide those in power that they may strive to do that which is good, seek justice, and bring comfort to the suffering, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith.

In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we give thanks for the Scottish Episcopal Church. In the Diocese of Maryland, we pray for St. Mary’s Emmorton and St. Margaret’s, Annapolis. We give thanks for the preaching and teaching of God’s Word at Christ Church for almost three centuries. We give thanks for all of our opportunities to practice faith in action, for our Rector, and for all who worship here today, including those who are new or visiting, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith.

We lift up in prayer those who are ill in mind, body, or spirit and those caring for them. May we all find strength and comfort through God’s Holy Spirit, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith. God has prepared a place for all of those who die in faith. We remember those who have entered God’s Holy City. May they rest in peace and may God’s love comfort those who grieve, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith.

We rejoice with those in our congregation who are celebrating anniversaries of their wedding, birth, baptism or other joyous occasions. We give thanks for these times of shared memories, love, and laughter, saying: Lord, help us to grow in faith.

We pray that as we depart today, you will help us to hear You and to really listen amid the clamor and busyness of our daily lives, that we may live our faith according to your will. Amen.