Prayers of the People, Won't You Be My Neighbor?, 20th Sunday after Pentecost

for October 26, 2014, 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18; Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Mt 22:34-46

Before you speak to me about your religion, first show it to me in how you treat other people; Before you tell me how much you love your God, show me how much you love all His children; Before you preach to me of your passion for your faith, teach me about it through your compassion for your neighbors. In the end, I'm not as interested in what you have to tell or sell as in how much you choose to live and give.  

                  ~ United States Senator Cory Booker

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ LORD of All That is Holy, keep us mindful in every day to intentionally seek to love You with all of our hearts, our souls, and our minds, to delight in Your law, and, to be worthy to stand upright at Your Final Judgment.

                              Almighty God of Justice, Righteousness, and Mercy

RESPONSE:  Grant us courage in You to declare the Gospel and love our 

                              neighbors as ourselves

                                    

~ LORD of All That is Holy, help us, especially in these days, to actively engage those we entrust with the decision-making in our World, our Country, and our Community. Let us be as a witness of the prosperity of love to open the eyes of those blinded by self-interest, political machinations, and other oppressive conditions that do not fulfill Your greatest commandment.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                Almighty God of Justice, Righteousness, and Mercy

                Grant us courage in You to declare the Gospel and
                love our neighbors as ourselves

~ LORD of All That is Holy, alleviate the pain of those burdened with serious illness, addiction, and/or emotional distress, and let us bring compassion to those who give them care.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                Almighty God of Justice, Righteousness, and Mercy

                Grant us courage in You to declare the Gospel and
                love our neighbors as ourselves

~ LORD of All That is Holy, we lift up those who are bowed by grief while, in the midst of sorrow, we give joyful thanksgiving for Your welcome of our loved ones into Your eternal kingdom. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

              Almighty God of Justice, Righteousness, and Mercy

              Grant us courage in You to declare the Gospel and
              love our neighbors as ourselves

~ LORD of All That is Holy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

                Almighty God of Justice, Righteousness, and Mercy

                Grant us courage in You to declare the Gospel and
                love our neighbors as ourselves

~ LORD of All That is Holy, we look to those appointed to lead us in worship and the care of Your Church to show us by example of prayer and preaching how to live in this life and walk together to discover all that You declare through Your Word. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                Almighty God of Justice, Righteousness, and Mercy

                Grant us courage in You to declare the Gospel and
                love our neighbors as ourselves

The Celebrant adds: Holy God, Holy and Mighty, grant us the awareness of Your ever-present breath and spirit as we consciously seek to be fully Yours in every day. Help us to show, that within the power and glory that is You, You remain the Every Day God for our neighbors and ourselves. We ask through the mercy of Jesus our Christ and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who live and reign with You as One God, everyday, always, and forever.  Amen.

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