Prayers: July 11, 2010

Heavenly Father, as we go through our lives, help us to know and understand what you would have us do to share Your love in the world.  Christ used the parable of the Good Samaritan to teach us to help others in need, putting aside worldly barriers to accept everyone as our neighbor. We ask that you give us the courage to help others in their time of need, so that we might be a means to answer another’s prayer, as we pray to you with the following petitions; “Lord, Hear Our Prayer.”

Help us to see the face of Christ in all our neighbors, to welcome our visitors and to treat everyone with love as Christ taught.  We pray to the Lord: Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

Guide us as we make decisions that affect those around us. We pray especially for political leaders throughout the world. We offer our prayers and support to the people of the Gulf Coast. In our Christ Church family we pray for members of the new Sunday School Committee as they make decisions concerning sharing the teachings of Christ with our youngest members.  We pray to the Lord: Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

Support us as a church family as we gather to hear the Word of the Lord and celebrate in community. We pray especially in our Diocese for Resurrection, Joppa and Redemption, Locust Point.  In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we give thanks for the Anglican Church of Papua, New Guinea. We welcome Katrina back to our community and pray for her parish, Holy Apostles.  Help us to speak a language of love and acceptance rather than division within the greater community of Christians.  We pray to the Lord: Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

Be with us when we find ourselves in difficult situations that we can not handle alone, or are asked to help others in their time of need. We pray for those who cannot find shelter or are in need of food, medicine, or other physical necessities. We pray for those who are sick in mind, body, or spirit, and in need of your comfort. May all who are suffering find comfort in Your love and the love of friend and neighbor.  We pray to the Lord: Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

Grieve with us as we pray for all the departed. Comfort those who mourn today. We pray to the Lord: Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

Rejoice with us as we recognize those who have celebrations of joy and happiness, including birthdays, wedding and baptismal anniversaries. Be with us as we gather as a community next weekend for the annual Texas BBQ dinner. May our rejoicing be an opportunity to share our gifts with others.  We pray to the Lord: Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

Heavenly Father, you gave us the gift of Your Son, whose teachings we use to lead us through our lives. You know that the way forward is often difficult, yet you call on us to move ahead.  Be with us when darkness threatens to overcome us, and help us to use our gifts to share Your love with everyone we may encounter. Amen.