Prayers of the Church 7.5.09

You, O Lord, are God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who executes justice for the orphan and widow and who loves the strangers. The heaven of the heavens belongs to you, the earth and all that is in it. You are our praise, wondrous God, and have done great and majestic things for us. You have called us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. We fear you, Lord and you alone will we worship, to you we hold fast.

You bless us and bless us again. Our Father, you have sent us a living stone, Jesus Christ. Though rejected by mortals, he is chosen and precious in your sight. He is our cornerstone; he is our redeemer.

We are yours, God’s own people. Through the light of the Messiah, you have called us out of darkness and into your marvelous light.

Though you call us your chosen, let us not suppose for ourselves any sense of lofty existence…because when you called us, you called us to a life of service. You handed us the basin and the towel and put us to work. You said to us, “though you are my children, this is not about you; it is about my kingdom.”

Father, you called us to be a holy priesthood, to be your offering…an extension of the savior, your emissaries on earth. Help us to respond according to your call. Through us, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to you.

Precious God, when we begin to forget our place as your servants, put into our minds the Son of Man, washing the feet of your people, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, sacrificing and bleeding for the wretched of the world…for us.

Our enemies deserve your love no less than we do. Bless them and turn their eyes, along with ours, toward you.

In the silence, help us contemplate your great gifts, your great love, and our responsibility to you:


Father, not only have you blessed us by making us your own, but while we are on this earth, you have allowed us to live in a wonderful land, one of hope and promise, one that is build on human freedom and opportunity. Bless our leaders and those who work for the common good. Give them wisdom and discernment and true humility.

In all this, we still know our only true freedom is the salvation offered through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now, we pray together as the Prince of Peace taught us to pray: