Lord, you bless our homes that shelter and protect us and you bless us with your presence. You bless all of creation with the new life that springs up in this season—the wheat, green in the fields, the blooming trees, the flowers that bring such cheer. We give you thanks for the birth of Joseph Simon Long, born March 29th to Karen and Justin Long. We give you thanks for the beauty of all creation and for the ways in which your creation blesses us.
Gracious God, you bless the church by bringing us together through the power of your Spirit, even when we are separated. As you watch over your church, may we continue to be hopeful witnesses to your faithfulness and never tire of spreading the Good News of new life in You throughout the world. On this Palm Sunday, may we follow your Son Jesus as graciously as he walked the way of the cross. May we never forget all that he has done for us, living among us, revealing your glory, giving himself freely to death on the cross, triumphing over evil and opening the way of freedom and life for us.
O Lord, our Governor, bless the leaders of our land as they work to keep us safe from the virus. May we be a people at peace among ourselves, working together for the common good and for the health for all. May we be a blessing to the other nations of this earth.
Merciful God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: As you look with compassion on the whole human family, take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that in your good time, everyone may serve you in harmony, both now and around your heavenly throne, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God, as we pray for your kingdom of peace to come on this earth as it is in heaven, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad, especially those on our prayer list: Cheyenne, Cliff, Alexis, Scott, Steven, Michael, Joseph and Greg. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Loving God, your will for us is health and salvation. We pray to you for an end to the pandemic around the world, for the healing of those who are sick, for the wisdom and inspiration of physicians and scientists as they seek a cure, and for the protection of all who work to care for those in need.
O blessed Lord, who has taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve us: We know that you are with all who are in sorrow, or trouble, in need and in financial difficulty, and especially those on our prayer list. Nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance on them, and give them peace.
Almighty God, in this time when we must be distant from one another, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We pray for those who have died. May they rest with the saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, and into the blessed rest of everlasting peace.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name, you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.