Prayers for the Congregation

(Thanks) For this congregation

Holy and just God, we thank you for the great gift of this church community and all the people who have been touched by your grace here. Keep us from pure self-serving behavior and stir us to serve people who are most in need of your mercy. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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For your blessings upon this assembly, that it continue to dream dreams, sing new songs, and be a sign of your living presence in the world, let us pray.
C Have mercy, O God.
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Bless our congregation as it embarks on an important campaign for the future of this church. Help us to make the right decisions, so that our community may be a font of life for many generations to come. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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We pray for our elected council leaders: bless their lives and their service; energize their souls. Grant them the desire to grow in faith and inspire others. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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O God, challenge and strengthen our faith. Weed out what is soft and shallow; grow in us faith rich in nutrients, resistant to periods of drought and pests— faith that bears fruit in good times and in bad times.
Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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Lord we thank you for this church, built through the sacrifices of our ancestors in faith. May our worship be genuine and sincere; may the ministries that flow out of this place lift up people in the name of Christ. And despite all our efforts, may we never forget that we are saved by grace alone. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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Gracious God, we thank you this morning for the gift of this church community and all the people who are active here in various ministries and roles, giving of their time, talent and treasure. Together we pray:
C Thanks be to God.
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Lord, in this week of Thanksgiving, we remember all the treasures that have been given to us: our families, our closest friends and neighbors, our church and the wealth of this land that provides for our needs. Together we thank you, o Lord.
C Your mercy is great.
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D Lord, this time of year we remember those who have walked the journey of life before us. We remember how they influenced our lives, shaped our character and enabled us to become the people we are. Together we thank you for their presence in our lives.
C Your mercy is great.
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(Thanks) For groups within the congregation

Holy God, we pray for our youngest church members and for parents rejoicing in the birth of a new child. Bless them and empower them to teach, practice and model faith at home. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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O Lord, this morning we remember our elderly parishioners who live in Nursing Homes, especially (…) We pray for them along with all those who live in retirement communities. May they always feel our loving embrace. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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Lord, we want to thank you this morning for all the grandparents in our congregation who often take such good care of their grandchildren and provide help and support to other members of the family. Bless and sustain them , and help them through their own trials. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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Lord God, you are faithful all the time. Show us the way to live faithfully as your church on earth. Help us to make good decisions and be united. Bless our church council leaders and all of our lay leaders who work with so much passion and commitment.
Holy God, C hear our prayer
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Bless all those who are preparing for baptism and confirmation during this season. Bless our congregation that it may be a font of life. Bless our young parents and help them to be good role models for their children. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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In thanksgiving for the children that were recently born in our community and in gratitude for those who finished their journey of life, in solidarity with those who mourn and grief, let us pray
C Have mercy, O God.
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Let us pray for our church community and all those among us you are struggling with a major challenge in their life. Lord, be with them this very moment and give them the strength they need. Together we pray:
C Have mercy, O God.
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Let us pray for those completing their studies this academic year, for those who travel and enjoy recreation, and for those gathered here and those absent, that through our joy we bring joy to the world. Together we pray:
C Have mercy, O God.
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In thanksgiving for new children born and for those who are preparing for baptism and becoming members of this church, and in deep gratitude for those who have died. let us pray.
C Have mercy, O God.
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D Lord, we thank you for the many ministers who are engaged in this your church as deacons, acolytes, cupbearers, stewards, servants, financial officers, council leaders, in the maintenance of this house, in prayer circles, in youth ministry, as teachers and counselors. Together we thank you, O Lord.
C Your mercy is great.
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(Thanks) For new church members

D God, we thank you for those who have found a new spiritual home here at (name of church). May their lives be enriched through ministry and community, may their families be blessed and may they each bring their gifts into your service.
Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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D Lord, we thank you for new members to this church who have found their way to this place. Continue to bless them in their life’s journey; nourish their souls and be a light on their path. For their presence we thank you, o Lord.
C Your mercy is great.
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(Thanks) For the Worship in this Congregation
D Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day of rest and this opportunity to restore our souls. Strengthen our desire to keep your day holy and help us resist the urge to be busy at all times. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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Holy God, prepare us for the season of Lent, that our community may be strengthened in faith and our lives deepened in the presence of Christ. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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O Lord, our God, we thank you for moments of revelation and insight. Let us be patient during all the other times when we don’t hear your voice so clearly and seem to lose sight of our calling. Let us be faithful during those times.
Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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Dear Lord, your word is living and active in the church, in our worship and in our spiritual discernment. By your Spirit, give us the will to leave behind the things that hold us back from following you and serving others. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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Everlasting God, deepen your people’s commitment to worship, study, prayer and spiritual growth and begin here in our church. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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Your Spirit awakens the souls of young people and leads them to seek a greater purpose in life. Help us to nurture the faith of those who are trying to find out what their life will be all about. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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We pray for the people of this congregation. Give us the desire to seek and love you with all our hearts and minds and souls. Revive our spirits; soothe those of us who have been tested by the hardships of life. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
O God our Savior, lead your people to generosity, charity and spiritual depth. Uphold and restore a good moral compass in our church and among the people in our community. Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
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Reveal yourself to this congregation and to our community, gracious God. Deepen our love for one another. In this season, give us compassion for all who suffer, and keep us from selfish excess. Hear us, O God.
C Your mercy is great.
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