Prayers of the People: Prepare for Immediate Factory Recall, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

for November 9, 2014, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: [RCL] Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Mt 25:1-13

     Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. [Mt 25:13]  Of all the admonitions of Jesus, this one always sends a chill up and down my spine. I've spent a considerable amount of time in hospital emergency rooms and the suddenness of death can sometimes take out even the most experienced and detached medical staff.
          In my own life, the hour and the day have whisked away those I hold most deeply in my heart so unexpectedly I can still feel the reverberation in my heart and head as if being hit with a concussive blow that never quite heals. This reminds me that I, too, am subject to immediate factory recall. And so, then, preparation is the call, here. Playing the role of active Christian, faithful attendance at worship, giving of alms, and calling my politicians to account is all well and good but my inwardly digested attitude of Christ needs some work. Time to get more oil for the lamp, trim the wick, and start again to match my Sunday best to my daily thoughts, words, and actions. O LORD, make haste to help me. [Ps 70:1b]  

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Almighty All-Knowing God, deliver us from the foolishness of wasting our lives pursuing empty and temporary pleasures, and teach us yet again to keep our everyday thoughts, words, and actions as faith-filled and earnest as our weekly worship of You.

                                 Holy Lord of High Expectation

RESPONSE:      Help us to let justice roll down like the waters,

                                 and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

            

~ Almighty All-Knowing God, these are serious times of distressing political discourse, extreme fear, and increasing violence in our community and around the world. To those holding power on our planet, in our country, and our local community, even those with whom we disagree, let us give a calm, rational voice to the issues at hand as we pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy Lord of High Expectation

Help us to let justice roll down like the waters,

                             and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

~ Almighty All-Knowing God, grant Your peace to all those living with serious illness, pain, and uncertainty, and give comfort to those who offer them loving care. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy Lord of High Expectation

Help us to let justice roll down like the waters,

                             and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

                                         

~ Almighty All-Knowing God, as our hearts weep with those in mourning, let us also console them with hope that we and all who have gone before will be with the Lord forever.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy Lord of High Expectation

Help us to let justice roll down like the waters,

                             and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

~ Almighty All-Knowing God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…

Holy Lord of High Expectation

Help us to let justice roll down like the waters,

                             and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

~ Almighty All-Knowing God, grant our spiritual leaders the purity of heart, hope of the spirit, and the fidelity of faith to guide our soul journeys toward Your eternal kingdom. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Holy Lord of High Expectation

Help us to let justice roll down like the waters,

                             and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

The Celebrant adds: Wise and Mighty, Beneficent Lord, grant us wisdom and inner peace enough to keep our souls always awake and alert for Your presence as we await the unknown day and hour of our new life in You. We ask this through Jesus, our Christ, and the most Holy Spirit who, together with You, reign as One God, in heaven, on earth, and beyond all time and space. Amen.

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