Prayer of the Church—Responsive Form
Sixth Sunday of Easter (B)
5 May 2024
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, You invite us freely to come and hear Your Word. Bless and increase our faith, that we may rightly fear You and learn what You have done for our souls. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of all, You make known the good news of peace through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Bless and direct the work of our missionaries, that in every nation there would be people who fear God, do what is right and, believing in Jesus, receive forgiveness of sins through His name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of love, out of great love for You and for sinners, our Lord Jesus laid down His life for the world. Increase in us true love for one another, that like our Lord, we may also lay down our lives for our friends. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty Father, You rule this world by Your established authorities in ways that we do not always understand; yet in the name of Jesus, we may ask You anything freely as friends and sons. Bless our nation’s leaders, and cause them to serve wisely for our good. Give earthly peace and justice that is in accord with Your commandments and the order You have revealed. Bring an end to injustice, violence and disdain for Your truth, and let us receive all good with thanksgiving. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, the Giver of all that is good, grant Your healing and support to all who are in sorrow or need, sickness or adversity [especially _____________]. Give them also the gift of Your grace to accept and bear their crosses with faith in You, that finally they would be prepared to depart this life and receive the gift of eternal life in Your kingdom. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful God, at the death of Your Son, You gave the testimony of Your Spirit in the water and blood that poured from His wounded side. Grant that, having received this testimony in the water of Baptism, we may also receive it in the body and blood of Jesus in the Holy Supper and so overcome the world by our faith in Him. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.