Prayers of the People Lowell Grisham RCL lectionary

Prayers of the People

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas 

Prayers of the People
Proper 29 (Last Pentecost) – Year A

Presider:  Your church gathers before you as sheep listening to their shepherd:  Give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know our Savior Jesus Christ and as we bring before you our prayers and intercessions, saying:  For you are our God, and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand.

Litanist:  Your church is Christ’s body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.  Inspire our service to the least of these, that we may feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked and visit the imprisoned, as faithful servants of the hope to which Christ has called us.  For you are our God,
and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand.

Gather the nations before you, O God, to feed your creation with justice.  For you are our God, 
and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand.

Enlighten the eyes of the hearts of the people of this community that we may live in the hope to which Jesus has called us and put power to work in Christ.  For you are our God,
and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand.

Look upon all the people of the earth to seek the scattered and feed them with good pasture; let them lie down in good grazing land; where their God may be their shepherd.  For you are our God, 
and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand.

Seek the lost, O God, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, especially those for whom we offer intercession:  ___.  
Accept our thanksgiving for all the goodness of life, especially ___.
Bring those who have died to the riches of Christ’s glorious inheritance among the saints, especially ___.
May all humanity inherit the kingdom prepared for us before the foundations of the world.  For you are our God,
and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand.

Presider:  You are our God, O gracious Shepherd, and you care for all of your sheep:  Lead your creation into the fullness of your compassion, that with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, all people may know the kindness of your care and the riches of your glory, through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, One God, for ever and ever.  Amen.