Intercessor: Oh Holy Creator, our hearts cry to you; guide and protect our leaders, especially at this time our President Elect and Vice-President Elect, Joseph and Kamala, as they prepare to take the reigns of a chariot whose wheels seem ready to fall off. Please keep them, and all people, safe from harm, and help restore balance and integrity throughout the land. We pray that our government upholds the abiding wisdom of our Constitution, and respects the rights and needs of every citizen, regardless of race, religion or sexual identity.
Oh God of Truth, Hear our Prayer.
Oh Holy Creator, we turn to our spiritual leaders, to Berto and Hugh, to Bishop Greg, and our Presiding Bishop Michael, in gratitude. We thank them for their wisdom and strength, their sacred tenacity in reminding us always to turn our eyes toward the lamp of truth, and to disdain all that is not served by love.
Oh God of Truth, Hear our Prayer.
The world reels as the moral and physical well-being of our nation falters. Help all to be safe, to do what we can to help others. Let the light of truth be seen by even those with the blindest inner eyes. Help us to find courage to speak out for what we believe is right.
Oh God of Truth, Hear our Prayer.
Oh Holy Creator, protect all those struggling with disease: especially the exhausted health care workers who put their own lives on the line to help others. Please heal the physical and spiritual illnesses that afflict our nation and its people. We pray in gratitude for all the valiant warriors who are bringing vaccines to the world. Show us the way forward that is your way—the way of truth, the way of loving kindness.
Oh God of Truth, Hear our Prayer.
Oh Holy Creator, our hearts go out to those who have lost their livelihoods, health, or loved ones during this pandemic. In times of great worry and distraction, we ask special blessings for the physical and emotional well-being of those on our Parish Prayer List:
May all come to know and be sheltered by your healing love; may we follow your son’s example, as a loving parish community, in supporting one another’s intentions and needs not mentioned here, but known to us individually (pause)…
In Jesus’ name 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 servants Elizabeth Nelson (1/20) and Joyce Burghardt (1/22) as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.