Pastoral Prayer, Sunday, September 25, 2011

God of the ages, you have revealed your grace in our Savior, Jesus Christ.  As we wait on your mercies, strengthen us to live in your justice, that with open hearts we may hear and accomplish your will.  You call us to rejoice and then again to rejoice in the work of your Kingdom.  You call us to let go of worry and to trust that you are near.  By the power of your Spirit, fill us with your gift of faith so that we may give thanksgiving with a true and upright heart.

Holy Father, Father of Christ who likened the Kingdom of God to a wedding feast for all those who welcomed an invitation, help us to live in charity and steadfast love.  With a hospitable spirit, let us welcome the lonely, let us feed the hungry, and let us spread the Gospel message for the transformation of the world.

Sovereign Lord, Father of all in the power of the Spirit, we pray that there be peace between Israel and Palestine.  By your Spirit, empower our leaders with wisdom through hearing, discernment through patience, and humility by relying on your power and not their own.

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever as we continue to pray saying:

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those who trespass against us

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.