Prayer Vigil Prayer III

Look with mercy, gracious God, upon people everywhere who live with injustice, terror, disease and death as their constant companions.  Rouse us from complacency and help us to eliminate cruelty wherever it is found; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer Vigil Prayer II

Let us pray for those in chains and who daily give their lives for their faith.

God our Father, glorious in giving and restoring life, do not hide your face from your people overcome with loneliness and fear; turn our mourning into dancing an raise us up with your Son, that we may rejoice in your presence Forever.  Amen.

Prayer Vigil Prayers

As we move through the end of this week and prepare for this coming Sunday we'll be posting some of the prayers used at this past Wednesday's Prayer Vigil for persecuted Christians around the world.  

Let us pray for those in chains and who daily give their lives for their faith.

Gracious God, your Son called on you to forgive his enemies while he was suffering shame and death.  Lead our enemies and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Written and read by Rachelle Moreno on Sunday, May 3, 2015

Please bow your heads and pray with me.
Heavenly Father, first and foremost, we give you thanks for just how you love us unconditionally. We thank you for your forgiveness when we disobey you and don't keep your commandments. We thank you for the Holy Spirit that guides each of us daily.

Lord, we lift up prayers for those nearest to us, that we may be encouragers and extend love and grace to them even when that may be difficult to do.

We pray for those who point us in the right direction in our lives, those such as our teachers, our pastors, those who serve our community and those who share the gospel around the world and our veterans who serve to protect us and keep us safe.

We pray for our rulers, those who govern our country. With your blessing America will continue to be a beacon of light and a bastion of hope for our world. Impart into our nations leaders the unquenchable thirst for virtue you bestowed upon our founding fathers.

Most importantly, Father....We pray for those lost sheep in the world, your children. Those who are in broken relationships,those battling addiction, the homeless, the hungry, and those who have just lost Hope as they have not heard of the good news yet.  Use us and the gifts and talents you have blessed us with so that we may be ready when opportunities arise to share the gospel to those in need, especially our children, that they may know your ways and honor you.

We pray for the sick and hurting.

Finally Lord we pray today for the mission work that goes on at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, a church in our Lutheran District, in Fremont, CA.  They serve among a variety of people and language groups through their schools(s), and international mission ministry to a variety of people and language groups around them.  We pray for Pastor David Wilson who ministers to the Chinese community and assists in raising their mission focus to Fremont and around the world.  Lord, be with our brothers and sisters in that congregation as they seek to share your hope, grace, and salvation.

Father all these prayers and petitions we humbly ask in your precious name and all Gods people said.....AMEN!!!!!

Written and read by Linda Vincent and read on Sunday, April 19, 2015.

Good morning Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this beautiful day and the opportunity to worship and serve you.  You have blessed us abundantly and we appreciate the splendor of this earth.  Help us to open our hearts and minds as we study and hear your word.

Be with our congregation.  Bless the pastor and staff as they minister to us and the people of our community.  Help us all to be disciples in reaching out to others.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray for the new program against child trafficking - that these children will be released into loving homes.  Protect them from the predators that have robbed them of their childhood.  

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray for those who are suffering from illness, especially Melanie Branstad and those we name in our hearts to you now.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray for those who have lost ones.  Comfort and heal them.  We pray for those who suffer from addiction and mental health that they can meet the challenges that they face.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Be with those who are abused and in pain.  Help them to feel your loving arms around them.  Give them the courage and strength to seek counseling and safety.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We thank you for the opportunity to pray and talk with you without the fear of persecution.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Be with the leaders of our country in the decisions they make.  Bless the men and women who serve in our military.  Protect them and keep them safe.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Lord we ask that you will be with our doctors and nurses as they treat the sick and the dying.  Give them the wisdom and the knowledge to heal them and comfort them.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

We pray especially for the family of Chad and Brady Moreno from our congregation who joined you in heaven 15 years ago.  I remember my sister Karen on her birthday today as she celebrates in heaven with you.

Lord in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

Into your hands gracious Lord we commend all for whom we pray trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

Amen.

Prayers from Sunday, April 26th

Written and read by Laura Moore

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need and all of God’s creation.

Lord, you are the good shepherd and we the church are your flock.  Help us Lord to follow your will and your Word in every walk of life; together serving in your mission to the world and sharing your love with those who cross our path each day.  

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, you know each of us by name.  You know our hearts.  Forgive us Lord for our selfishness and thank you for showing us what is good.  Help us to act justly; to stand up and become advocates for the oppressed:  for the poor, the orphaned, the enslaved and those without the voice to fight for themselves.  

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we have done nothing to deserve your mercy, yet you give it freely.  Help us Lord to be merciful to others.  O faithful shepherd keep watch over the sick, the lonely and those who are suffering.  Today we pray especially for the victims of the Nepal earthquake and those coming to their aid; the family of Sally Evangelisti whose father passed away this past week; the 8^th grade confirmands who are on their retreat this weekend.  Help us to take comfort in the knowledge that you know each and every sorrow.  Bring us your comfort and cover us with your peace.  

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As we go out through these doors today and fall into the daily routines of our lives, help us to walk humbly with you Lord.  Strengthen our families, bless our community and help us to shed your light into this world that you created. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all who we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.  And we all say together, Amen.

Prayers from Sunday, April 19th

As we continue to come to the Lord in prayer with the words from members of St. Andrews the following prayers were used this past Sunday.

Written by Valerie Andersen

With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s Creation.

O Christ, born of the Father before all ages, you took upon yourself our humanity and you rose for us:  we worship and glorify you.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Son of God, Source of life, we invoke your goodness upon us and upon the entire human family.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Give us grace to lose our sinful selves and be transformed to your will so that all may know we are your disciples.  Help us to live by your life and walk as children of light in the joy of Easter.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Increase the faith of your Church; draw it into one great company of disciples, bearing faithful witness to your love, grace, and resurrection wherever you may send us.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Holy One, you do not distance yourself from the pain of your people but willingly carry our afflictions. Comfort all who are burdened.  Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing help and engrave in their hearts your words of eternal life.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Strengthen those who are weak in faith, and reveal yourself to doubting hearts.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Give strength to the sick and rest to the weary, support the elderly, soothe the suffering, comfort the afflicted and reassure the dying by your saving presence.  We pray especially for …

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Risen Christ, through the Gospel your voice makes itself heard softly.  You tell us:  “Why worry?  Only one thing is necessary, a heart attentive to my words and to the Holy Spirit.”  Bless us with listening hearts.

Hear us, Lord of glory;  For your mercy is great.

Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.