Intercessor:  Dear Lord, everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, We pray for the whole world in these times of turmoil, violence and the Covid pandemic. These times are difficult for us to comprehend. Our faith is steadfastly in you, Lord. 

Lord, you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. We pray for your light to break forth like the dawn, and your healing to spring up quickly.

Dear Lord, bless your churches around the world. Be with the ministers and priests during this pandemic isolation, that they may find the way to reach out, comfort and serve with your love.

Lord, strengthen them with your wisdom, and in prayer, as Jesus went to a deserted place to pray. Open our hearts to shine with the love of Jesus, to heal us, and to stand up for what is right.

We pray with gratitude for Presiding Bishop Michael, Bishop Greg, our dearly beloved Fr. Berto and Fr. Hugh, and for the hearts and hands who serve you through Emmanuel Parish.

Bless and guide our Emmanuel mission. Compassion, service and love are the strength and wisdom for the world. We find our joy in giving, as we are each able.

Lord, we pray for the good health of your abundant  natural world which sustains us. It is urgent for our actions to consciously reflect our gratitude and reverence for your earthly creation.

Guide us, Lord, in protecting and understanding your natural order. May your Holy Spirit bring us the wisdom and the way.

Dear Lord, we pray for our United States in this time of division and distrust. As you give power to the faint and strength to the powerless, we pray for human rights and equality. Be in the hearts of our elected officials in their decisions for all people.

May each heart know that the power of your grace is the answer, the wisdom and the way.

Lord, we pray for the needs of so many people who struggle: homeless families, the unemployed, the hungry, those with mental illness, disease, pain, addiction and loss of loved ones. Bless each as you know the need, We pray quietly or aloud for those in our hearts, (pause)… and for those on our parish prayer list:  

Lord, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Let each heart know your peace, healing and love.

Bless those who have passed from our sight and be with those who grieve.

Lord, may your joy and peace be with each one. With gratitude we pray.

Let us pray for those celebrating Birthdays this week: 

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant, Karen Blinn (2/12) as she begins another year.  Grant that she may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen her trust in your goodness all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Let us pray for those celebrating wedding anniversaries this week:   Celebrating God, whose love enfolds the whole of life, who calls us into union with you and with one another, and who in creation blessed the partnership of marriage: Jim & Betsy Nelson (2/9) and Thom & Elyse Woodruff (2/10) on their wedding anniversary, grant to your servants and to all who celebrate with them, thankful hearts for all that is past, joyful hearts for this day’s blessings and hopeful hearts for what is still to come. In the name of God the Maker, Son and Spirit, one God in community.  Amen.