Prayers of the People: Bone Dry, 5th Sunday in Lent

for Sunday, April 6, 2014, Readings:  Ez 37:1-14, Ps 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45
                Have you ever just felt so dry inside that it feels as though dust will come out if you try to speak?  Even while shedding an ocean of tears in the midst of immediate grief, there can be a sense of emptiness that feels as dry and as deep as the sands of the Sahara.
                    Drink deeply from the Well of God, from the Hope of Christ, from the Peace of the Spirit. Come into the Light...

                                                                                                        LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

LEADER:   ~  Lord God of Healing and Life, our mortal selves dry up when we move out of Your glory and let go of Your hope.  Fill us with Your Spirit, forgive us, and raise us from the dust of sin. 

                                  Jesus, Unbind our souls,

RESPONSE:    Breathe Your light into our dry  bones.

~ Lord God of Healing and Life, place Your hand on the hearts of those who lead this world. Fill them with compassion, virtue, and ethics for the benefit of all the peoples of Your Earth.  We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                          Jesus, Unbind our souls,
                          Breathe Your light into our dry bones.

~ Lord God of Healing and Life, surround those among us who are in ill-health, emotional turmoil, or in despair.  Help set their minds, and of those who love them, on Your Spirit and Peace as they await Your healing touch.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                          Jesus, Unbind our souls,

                          Breathe Your light into our dry bones.

~ Lord God of Healing and Life, as Mary, Martha, and Jesus wept for Lazarus, we weep for those we have lost. Out of our depths we call to You for comfort in knowing that You have brought them into a fuller life with You.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                          Jesus, Unbind our souls,

                          Breathe Your light into our dry bones.

~ Lord God of Healing and Life, animate the wills of those who have been sent to lead Your Church. Strengthen their resolve to prophesy Your Word and bring us all into the Spirit of Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                              Jesus, Unbind our souls,

                         Breathe Your light into our dry bones.

The Celebrant adds:  O LORD our God, awaken us from the death of sin and call us to come out into the Light of Christ, that we might know life everlasting in Your mercy and redemption. We ask this through Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier who live and reign with You, our Creator, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. Requestors will remain anonymous.