Prayer guide

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations...”

Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this day to come into your presence, to lift our songs of praise to you, to hear your word spoken over us, and to bring to you both our gifts and our burdens.

We lift up this morning the fighting that is raging in Ukraine and Israel. We pray for a cessation of hostilities. We pray that leaders will come together to make peace. We pray especially for protection of civilians, and for food, water, and shelter. Lord, we long for the day when we will beat all our swords into plowshares. Lord, hear our prayer.

Yes, Lord, amen.

As we move toward Christmas, we are mindful of all the ways you have blessed us, and we pray for those in our own community who do not have enough. We pray for those who need jobs or transportation to be provided for. We pray that homes are not left without power and water during the cold months ahead. We pray that children in our city will not go to bed hungry. Father, pour out generosity and provision over our city. Lord, hear our prayer.

Yes, Lord, amen.

Father, we are mindful of those among us who suffering due to injury, illness, or loss. We ask that you would pour out your Spirit to heal and deliver. We lift up James Starkey who has begun dialysis. We pray for Kris Worgan and her family as they say goodbye to her mom. There are many others who are on our heart today and we lift their names to you right now: ______________. Lord, hear our prayer.

Yes, Lord, amen.

Lord, we lift up those who are far from you. Who view you as an enemy. Who are perishing in their sin. We pray that the lost would be found. We lift up those we carry in our hearts who need you: _________________. Father, gather them into your kingdom. And give us boldness to tell others the good news that Jesus is King. Lord, hear our prayer.

Yes, Lord, amen.

And because at times each of us have strayed away like lost sheep, we take this moment to confess our sins to you. We repent of those times when we did not show others your love, where we acted selfishly, where we gave into temptation. We especially repent of the sins that you are bringing to our mind right now: _________________. As your word declares, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We receive your forgiveness.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away all works of darkness, and to put on the armor of light. Especially now, during this season of Advent, may we remember your Son Jesus the Christ - our King - who came to visit us in great humility, so that on the last day, when he comes again in his glorious majesty as judge of the living and the dead, may we rise to immortal life; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.