Precious Lord, we are deeply comforted by your message of love and mercy. Hold in your shepherd’s hands the very large flock that is the peoples of the world. Protect us from the wrath of nature — its heat and storms — and from the wrath of each other as we learn to live peacefully.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Precious Lord, having broken down the dividing walls that separate us, you are our Peace. In your redeeming love we are no longer strangers, but full members of the household of compassion. Be with our priests, Berto and Hugh, as they live and teach the message of reconciliation.
In Jesus’s name, we pray.

Precious Lord, your message of peace is also important to our nation, as we seek to ease the hostility between us. Help us to find unity in diversity, harmony in difference, and appreciation for
the marvelous variety of human culture and identity.
In Jesus’s name, we pray.

Precious Lord, you promise that as shepherd, you will bring us all into the fold, that none shall be missing. Be especially with our brothers and sisters who suffer hunger, homelessness, fear and injustice, sickness and injury. Help us to become shepherds, too, that we might search for and comfort those in need.
In Jesus’s name, we pray.

Precious Lord, we do not take for granted the green pastures and still waters of your beautiful creation. Help us all to recognize that the lives and well-being of all living creatures depend on human stewardship of the natural world. In all we do, let us praise and preserve your earth.
In Jesus’s name, we pray.

Precious Lord, we bring you our sick and injured, that they might be healed by your touch. And the dearly departed and their grieving families, that they may be comforted by faith in eternal
love. We bring all those suffering in mind and spirit, that you might ease their anguished hearts. Be with those we now name, silently and aloud (pause), including those on our parish prayer
list:… (please pray slowly)   … and for those for whom no one prays, may they be comforted by your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’s 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, David Evans (7/19), Cristal Kirkpatrick (7/20), Jan Reid (7/21)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 George & Ingrid Karnikis (7/21) and Steve & Nancy Malott (7/21), having taken each other in marriage, and affirming again the covenant which they have made, 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.