Prayers of the People: Christ, King in the World, Last Sunday after Pentecost

For Sunday, November 22, 2015, Last Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Ps 93, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37

      I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, languages should serve him.  
[Daniel 7:13-14a]

      Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come..."I am the Alpha and the Omega"... [Revelation 1:4b,8]

      Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to  my voice. [John 18:37b]

          God, the Almighty who is and was and is to come, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, timeless, and Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth - even in a modern translation the concepts seem ancient, archaic, perhaps even irrelevant in the scheme of daily western life. Yet those of us who believe that we aspire to be Christian should take heed. It is in this daily life that we may easily lose track of our allegiances and settle in more with earthly powers than the divine Kingship of Christ. Though Jesus says his kingdom is not from here, here is where we encounter him. Jesus tells Pilate that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. What comes next is not in our appointed reading. In verse 38: Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" And therein lies our ongoing assignment - What is truth? Christ the King, in the world, to show us the way to the real Kingdom - if we really want to go. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy God, always Ancient, always New, in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty in our earthly existence, calm us with the warmth of Christ’s love, shelter us in His Kingdom of Glory and Faith.

Jesus, God’s Word Made Human

RESPONSE: Help us hear your voice and live in your truth

~ Holy God, always Ancient, always New, on behalf of all who are governed by legitimate means, or by force of violence, on our planet, in our country, and in our community, we implore You to infuse wisdom, sanity, and humanity into those who lead. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Jesus, God's Word Made Human

                                    Help us hear your voice and live in your truth

~ Holy God, always Ancient, always New, grant all who suffer in pain of body, mind, or spirit, the healing grace of  Your Holy Son, our Strength and our Redeemer, the Alpha and Omega. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                    Jesus, God's Word Made Human

                                    Help us hear your voice and live in your truth

~ Holy God, always Ancient, always New, ease the despair of all who grieve, as the souls of our faithful and cherished departed arise from earthly death, lifted into the eternal splendor of new life in heaven. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Jesus, God's Word Made Human

                                    Help us hear your voice and live in your truth

~ Holy God, always Ancient, always New, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

                                    Jesus, God's Word Made Human

                                    Help us hear your voice and live in your truth

~ Holy God, always Ancient, always New, empower the spirits of those who lead us in Your Church, through Your Word and Sacraments, with the peace and unity of Christ’s all-encompassing love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                    Jesus, God's Word Made Human

                                    Help us hear your voice and live in your truth

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds: Almighty Creator, transfuse us through the glory of Christ, to move our minds and hearts beyond faithful attendance into prayerful witness and righteous action. We ask through Jesus our Christ, the King and Faithful Witness, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Counselor, who live and reign with You as One God, now and forever.  Amen.

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