Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, for all people = according to their needs.

Word of God, come into our hearts. Send us into those dark places that need to know your love. Stop the hatred, prejudice, greed and fear that divde your creation. Heal our divisions so that the world might acknowledge your compassion and rebuild in peace upon the foundation of your grace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Jonah 3:1-5, 10)

Speak to us, God, and send your hope into our hearts. You are our rock and our salvation. When this world pulls at our trust and faith, tempting us toward wealth and success at someone else's expense, overpowering us with grief for our losses, or asking us to consider ourselves better than others, we trust you to remain steadfast in your love and rescue us from ourselves. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Psalm 62:5-12)

Creator of all, we pray for your children, single or married, grieving or rejoicing, rich or poor, knowing that all are equal in your sight. And, in the end, we rely on your promise to judge all your people with justice and mercy, and to deliver us through the redemption you have worked in Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. (1 Cor 7:29-31)

Searching God, you cast your net repeatedly to bring all your children within the circle of your love. Today, some of those you love are hurting. We especially remember...

Are there others we should include in our prayers?

Gather them into your healing presence. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Mark 1:14-20)

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Comments to Linda at Linda_Kraft@Ecunet.org.)

Linda Kraft, Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Trumbull, CT