THE HEALING PRAYER (Intercessory Prayer)
Prayer to Commemorate the Dead from Covid-19
O Giver and Keeper of Life, We commend to you, at this time,
our sisters and brothers in the United States who have died from Covid-19 during the past year. Too many of our family members and friends
have been taken from us by the virus that has penetrated
our world, O Lord. We cry out to you in our grief for this massive
loss of life in our country throughout the world. We ask you to welcome these deceased into the eternal life that you promise to all who seek you.
Keep us safe in this valley of darkness where a light begins to be seen illuminating a path to recovery. Erase the impact of the virus on our lives and, most especially, on the vulnerable lives of so many in our communities and in places distant. We shall not fear the dark of night that has been
brought into our world by this pandemic, but shall put our trust in your eternal light and life. Comfort the families and friends of those who have died. We look forward to the day when we will all be united
with them and you in the heavenly kingdom of life. Hear our prayer, O Living and Merciful God. Amen.
HYMN: O Lord, Hear My Prayer TFWS #2200 ( 2 times)
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer, when I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer, come and listen to me.
For the Church in Ukraine and for the People of Ukraine
Holy God, with deep sorrow and concern, we cry out to you for the people who are suffering during this war in Ukraine. Lord, have mercy. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. Protect and draw near to yourself those who are suffering and in danger. Preserve your people who take refuge in you. We pray that food supplies, water, and electricity do not fail. Protect the refugees fleeing the ravages of war, whether internally displaced or crossing borders into neighboring countries. Grant them your presence, provision, and hospitality, whether from strangers or friends. God of peace and justice, we ask you to arrest this violence and destruction and confound the enemy's strategies. We pray that evil intentions will turn to mercifulness. We pray for the laying down of weapons. We pray for leaders with decision-making power for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. May they rally to help Ukraine quickly during its time of need. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
(The above prayer was written by Mike and Myra Watkins who served as missionaries in Ukraine.)
HYMN: O Lord, Hear My Prayer TFWS #2200 (2 times)
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer, when I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer, come and listen to me.
For All People Who are suffering
Leader: Lord, hear the suffering of your people. I speak for all the peoples of the world, all those who are hurt or hungry, afraid or anxious. Lord, in your compassion, We pray for the children who are abandoned or lost, without families and without love, for those who live in the streets, for those who live in institutions, for all children everywhere who are abused, frightened, or alone. Lord, in your compassion,
People: come near to heal and to bless.
Leader: We pray for all who are sick, those who are in pain, those waiting for surgery, those who face long-term illnesses or incurable diseases. Lord, in your compassion,
People: come near to heal and to bless.
Leader: We pray for all who have died and for all those who loved and cared for them. Lord, in your compassion,
People: come near to heal and to bless.
Leader: We pray for all people who wrestle with their identity, in the struggle to love and understand themselves, or the struggle to feel loved and understood by others. Lord, in your compassion,
People: come near to heal and to bless.
Leader: We pray for all people who are homeless or unemployed, and all those anxious about money. Lord, in your compassion,
People: come near to heal and to bless.
Leader: We pray for all who feel they have lost control of their lives, who struggle with dependency and addiction, who have lost a loved one, who are concerned for a friend, who are confused and uncertain, who suffer any pain they cannot shake. Lord, in your compassion,
People: come near to heal and to bless.
Leader: You are above us, O God; you are beneath. You are in the air; you are in the earth; you are beside us; you are within. You are in the betrayed and suffering people of our world just as you were in the broken body of Jesus. Grant that we may know your resurrection as blessing and goodness in our lives.
People: Amen.
Leader: I invite you to add our own prayers and thanksgivings.
