We Pray for the World and the Church

Oh Great, Unknowable Source of All —You teach us to be compassionate and merciful, to reach out to those in need. Help us to follow the example of Saint Josephine Bakhita, whose feast we celebrated last Friday. Enslaved as a child, she taught that the worst form of slavery is that which enslaves the human heart, denying justice, compassion, and mercy. Let us also take courage in the call to mercy and compassion from our Bishops Rowe, Budde, and LaBelle who reassure us that goodness can live in every heart.
Help us to hear with true compassion that we may make good your divine purpose.

We pray for people in positions of power and authority, asking that they act to benefit all those whom they serve, especially the young and the frail, who depend upon them the most. We pray for our law enforcement agencies, for our local and state governments, and for the governments of nations, that they may fully realize the responsibilities they have undertaken. We are grateful to all who serve the common good, and we trust that their example will be appreciated by all whom they serve.
Help us to hear with true compassion that we may make good your divine purpose.

We pray for the people of our nation and of our state. May we uphold the best vision of the democratic ideal and not allow it to dwindle and die. We pray for our very earth in her struggles for health and wholeness despite the assaults brought by endless warfare, and the detritus of human greed. May the people who have lost homes, livelihood, life and limb as the result of natural upheavals find reason to be joyful.   
Help us to hear with true compassion that we may make good your divine purpose.

We celebrate the work of AA in our community, and their ongoing achievements in helping the fallen to regain strength of purpose and meaning in their lives.  May their leaders remain strong as their participants gain in self-esteem and meaningful action. We pray for all those suffering from homelessness, addictions, ongoing illnesses, injuries, and other challenges, especially those most dear to us….pause, mention silently or aloud….. We pray in one voice for all those on our Parish Prayer List: (say the names together slowly)… and those for whom no one prays,
Help us to hear with true compassion that we may make good your divine purpose.

Oh Great, Unknowable Source of All— we ask solace for all those who have lost beloved family members and friends in recent times. [pause to mention by name] Let those who grieve be comforted in knowing that their departed ones are now free of suffering, and are safely on their journeys to the next waystation of eternity.
Amen.

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, [insert names here], 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.

Let us pray for those celebrating anniversaries this week. 
Grant, O God, in your compassion, that [insert names here], who have taken each other in marriage, may grow in forgiveness, loyalty, and love; and come at last to the eternal joys which you have promised through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.