Prayers of the People

By: Patti Petit

March 22, 2020

 

Most Holy God, today we are united in a most special way. We celebrate your mercies and with hope and confidence we turn to you in our time of most vulnerability. We confess our need of your mercy for us and for all for whom we pray. Help us and those for whom we pray to remain steadfast in love and service to one another. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for the whole church in every land. Continue to bless our presiding bishop Michael Curry, our bishop Robert Wright, our assisting bishop Don Wimberly, our retired bishop Neil, and our priests Scott and Sue. Bless Brandon, Mallory, Fletcher and Finley as they prepare to move to Virginia Theological Seminary. Keep every member of our parish family and all of our sisters and brothers and sisters in health, peace, and growing in wisdom and grace. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

 

We pray for all members of our armed services, protect and defend our troops in deployments in combat zones. Keep their families well, and give them peace of mind and spirit in these difficult times. Pray for Reyna Cruz, Jamie Davey, Ron Penninger, Owen Broom, Brett Turner, Jennifer Parrish, Stephen Hill, Kayla Ziccardi, Bart Ziccardi, Nathanial Curry, Robert Rish, Frank Carruccio, Joseph Lorenz, Wayne Lovell, Teale Marchette and Brandon Richards. Guide, guard and protect all law enforcement, first responders and especially all medical personnel. Pray for Don Scalia. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

 

Lord, God our healer, keep us in wisdom to prevent our falling into the trap of fear in this time of pandemic. And guide us in love to act wisely to prevent spread of any illness. We pray that the lonely, depressed and sick will find health and wholeness in your healing presence. Pray for Carol, Helen, Kelly, Bob, Lloyd, Denise, Michael, Stephen, Gil, Jennifer, Kevin, Bette, Kevin, Jackie, Kelli, Luci, Elizabeth, Jack, Sharon, Billy, Helen, Bruce, Genny, Dottie, Taylor, Jon, Opal, Glenda, and Sean. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

 

Most holy God, we pray for newborns, infants, and children of all ages. Protect them from every danger and sickness. Restore all children separated from their families. Shield all children with safety, love and peace. Holy Lord, our prayer.

 

Compassionate God comfort all who mourn for loved ones lost to sickness and accidents. As we recognize our own fragility help us to realize and celebrate the sacredness of every life. Pray for

Gracious God, this week please keep us mindful of your love for us and for all of your creation. Deliver us from fear and from false reports. Help us to remember that you will teach us your love, power and mercy through these days. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

 

Gracious God, we are joyful and thankful for these among us celebrating birthdays including Don Scalia, Robbie Crumley, Dwayne Vandiver, Roxanne Hall, Tanner Cash, Chloe Hensley, John McClatchey and Briggs Murray; and those with anniversaries. Bless their accomplishments and their plans. Give them joy as they celebrate these landmarks in their lives. Holy Lord, hear our prayer.

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

It's still LENT! Since Jim and I have been sick with "colds," my bark required medical intervention which was an experience. I was met at the door with a mask and escorted directly to a room. There weren't enough test kits to check me for the big C-virus but plenty of good medicine and healing prayers have me back on the mend. Thank you for your prayers.

 

We have been self-quarantined for the past 11 days and that has offered me time to ruminate about life, God and Lent. We are in the midst of one of the most significant challenges of how we journey as a Christian community in the world. Lent has always been a time of reflection and self-examination and forgiveness for me, and so I thought I'd share some scripture references with you. We are not alone when it comes to forgiveness and being hurt as the ancients had some of the same challenges. Sometimes I find that the broken scenarios in my life go bump in the middle of the night, and I have to work on forgiveness and reconciliation.

 

I am assuming many of your lives have slowed down and you are at home; perhaps you might find time to look at one or more of these. It might be good to read a little before and after the scripture reference to get the whole picture.

 

OLD Testament                                                          NEW Testament

Genesis           18:24 & 18:26                                     Matthew                 6:12,  9:6,  18:21,   

Exodus            10:17,  32:33                                       Mark                        2:7,  6:15

1st Samuel      25:28                                                    Luke                        5:21,  5:24   6:37,  17:3

Jeremiah        18:23,  31:34,  36:3                             John                        20:23

                                                                                        2nd Corinthians    2:7,  2:10,  12:13           

                                                                                        Colossians              3:13

                                                                                        Ephesians               4:32

 

Musings:

Lady Gaga, whom I have a new respect for since seeing the latest movie version of "A Star is Born," recently explained that she was self-quarantined but she said "God had talked with her and we are going to be alright."

 

I want to remind you also, not to forget your financial offering back to God, whether it is pledge or open plate, if you can, it is needed. Scott has given specific directions on how to do this by mail or online.

 

Prayer:

I'd like to close with the Lord's Prayer from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer:

 

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver.

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all.

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

 

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

            sustain our hope and come on earth.

 

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgives us.

From trials to great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

 

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

            now and for ever.  Amen.

 

Peace, love and God's blessing,

Please make checks payable to Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and mark them for "Easter lilies."  Fill in the form below and mail with your check or place them in the offering bag on Sunday.  Mail should be addressed to Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 1755 Duncan Bridge Rd., Sautee-Nacoochee, GA 30571.  You may also email your request to   [email protected].  Orders must be in the office NO LATER THAN APRIL 14, 2019.

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