Sunday’s Congregational Prayer
Join me in prayer…
Dear Heavenly Father,
We bring our praise to you this morning. For behold, you form the mountains and create the wind. You declare to man what is his thought, you make the morning darkness, and tread on the heights of the earth—the Lord, the God of hosts, is your name! [Amos 4:13]
Your prophet Amos warned the people of Israel against complacency and false sense of security in their material possessions and rather to …Hate evil and love good; and establish justice…seeking your grace [Amos 5:15] Similarly I pray for our church body that we would not seek our own comfort over obedience or live in complacency but rather that we would seek justice and righteousness.
[From Book of Common Prayer]
We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent…as we confess our sins in this time of silence….
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your Name.
We thank you that you hear our prayers and so we bring our requests to you.
We pray for peace in the many places in the world where there is conflict and war, from Ukraine, to the Middle East, from Myanmar, to Sudan, and more. Lord, sometimes it feels so hopeless, but we thank you that you are the Prince of Peace.
We pray for our city, and specifically the many South Asians in our community who follow Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. Would you grant us both the boldness and opportunities to share the grace and truth of Christ with our South Asian neighbors?
We pray for our students, whether starting kindergarten or in college. We pray that you would give them a thirst for learning and an ability to discern truth as they continue to transition back into this new school year.
We pray for our church members who have experienced recent loss of loved ones:
For Diane and family as they grieve Bob’s passing
For Edye, who recently lost her father,
Grant both these families your peace in their time of grieving and loss.
We pray for Sue as she undergoes medical treatment.
We pray for the unity of our body, and that our people would be discipled into deeper relationships with you.
We pray for Pastor Chris, and all our staff as they lead and direct the activities of our church as we start another ministry season. Please encourage them, and may they be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading for your church here at New Covenant.
Finally, I pray for Pastor Chris that he would be guided by your Holy Spirit as he teaches us from your word. May we have ears to hear and be active in obedience to how you would teach us.
We thank you that even as was prophesied in Amos, there is a day of restoration coming when you will restore the fortunes of your people and make all things new again. [Amos 9]
As we conclude our time of prayer, please join me as we pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever, Amen.