The Prayers of the People at St Peter’s Episcopal Church
Port Royal, VA Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year A 2020
Today’s collect
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The following prayers are adapted from the prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Lent in Feasting on the Word: Liturgies for Year A, Vol 1, Kimberly Bracken Long, ed.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we are people who still love the darkness more than the light. We keep shameful deeds secret, but flaunt our occasional acts of virtue. We see ourselves as blameless, but pass judgment on others. We do not stand firmly enough with those who are vulnerable, but step back, protecting ourselves. Forgive us, we pray. Bring us into your light, that we may see ourselves rightly. Bring us into your light, so that we may know ourselves loved. Bring us into your light that we may live more fruitful lives. Keep raising us, we pray from the deadness of sin, and shine upon us with your grace. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
Declaration of Forgiveness
The psalmist assures us that God’s goodness and mercy will follow us, even pursue us, all the days of our life. As God’s forgiven people, may we receive this goodness and mercy, and live a new life in the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
God our faithful Shepherd, we depend on you for everything we need: for daily food, for guidance and protection, for healing in injury and comfort in sorrow. You respond in abundant provision. Thank you for your tender care of us. Thank you for soothing the wounds of this life. Thank you that in the presence of enemies, especially the last enemy of death, you are with us, as Shepherd, Host, Home.
Knowing your faithfulness in our lives, we bring before you the lives of others, the cares of this world entrusting all things to your goodness and mercy. Bring healing to those who are sick because of the coronavirus.
We pray for all those on our prayer list, especially Virginia Fall, and for Steven Fox, recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes.
We pray for Bishop Susan, who will undergo surgery this coming Friday for breast cancer.
Bring healing to all who are ill in mind, body, or spirit. Bring release to those who are held captive by old hurts or new bonds that oppress and entangle. Bring freedom to those unjustly accused, relief to those who are burdened with debt or are in financial distress. Bring comfort to all who suffer from abuse of any kind.
We pray for all people living precariously; especially for refugees, displaced persons, immigrants and all who seek the safety of a new home.
We pray for those struggling to live in the midst of war. Protect, we pray, citizens and soldiers alike, especially the soldiers on our prayer list. Teach us to put away our weapons, taking up instead words of peace and reconciliation. By the power at work in Christ, break down the walls of hostility we build so that we may learn to live together graciously.
We remember those living in the midst of locust plagues, in the midst of droughts and famines. We pray for rain to fall and for crops to grow, and for generosity to overflow from every hand, until all your children receive their daily bread; until all your children have clean water to drink; until all your children have adequate shelter and medical care. Compel us to be better stewards of creation so that our habitation can once more be the blessing you intended from the beginning.
We pray for those who have died in the hope of the resurrection, especially Bill Carpenter, Kathryn Grinde, and Gil Brittle, and those whose faith is known to you alone, that with all the saints they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal.
A prayer from the Washington National Cathedral Daily Office
God of the present moment, God, who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes our frantic hearts, bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make us the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness. You are God, and we need you. Amen.
Closing collect from the Book of Common Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever. Amen.
St Peter’s prayer list, March 22, 2020
Bishop Susan, Virginia Fall, Steven Fox, Phyllis Sue Carpenter, Terry Hudgins, Sandra Smith, Tim, Tiffany, Mason, and Noelle Smith, Matt and Lola Delbridge, Ed and Kay Lipsitz, Mary Lawrence Hicks, Edison Newman, Patricia Jacobs (Newman relatives), Ann Graziano (friend of the Heimbachs), Heather Bruce Nuckols and family, William Howard, Mike Shamblin (Friend of Terri Harrison), Orville Watson (Linneth Feliciano’s brother), Nadine Duke,(Dave Duke’s mother), Kelly Paterino, Pendleton Family, Kennedy (Fisher friends), Tim Massey, Jimmy and Nancy Davis (Davis relatives), Roberta Segar, Charlie Linton (Segar relatives), Mae and Tom Carter, Karen Jenkins, Janice Howard, Vivian Motley (Wisdom relatives), Cindy and Stanley Fields, Robert Bruce, (Eunice’s uncle), Heidi Gillipsi, Sylvia Sellers, John and Toni Faibisy, Jennifer Glasgow, The Muhlys, John and David Whitfield (Laura Carey’s sons), Jim and BJ Anderson, Shirley Vaughn (friend of Cleo), Andrew, Charlene Schnakenberg, Keith Schnakenberg, Jasmine, Allie and JoJo, Brittany and Harper M. Church, (Andrea’s friends), Maureen Stuart, Susan Linne von Berg, Jean Ball, Kathryn Jenkins, Betsy Paul, Bill and Nancy Wick, The Rev. Clinton Cleveland (Cleo Coleman’s nephew), Greg Yarbrough, Jerry Haves(friend of Cookie), Nate Venn (friend of Cherry and Woody), Vivian McDonald, Teddy and Calvin Hendric (Justin’s and Karen’s friends), Linneth Feliciano, Jean Volland (Brad’s mother, Jeanie Dodd, (sister in law of Nancy Long), Boyd Wisdom, Thom Guthrie, Robert Doyle (Dobson friend), Betty Spano, (Steve Meehan’s sister), Judy Karas (Muhlys’ friend), Sharon Cramer, (Marge Cramer’s daughter-in-law), Iris and Billy Anderson (friends of the Everetts) Teresa Puryear (BJ Anderson’s daughter), T. J. Pemberton and Kevin Pemberton (uncle and cousin of Brad Volland), Susan Boyd, David Crawford, Doris Martin (Port Royal residents), Crystal and Fred Pannell, Linda Dodson, Brenda Brent, Susan Walters (friends of Becky Fisher), Mark Witt, Carol Whitcomb, (aunt of Becky Fisher), Bill Upshaw, (family of Linda Upshaw), Gloria Jewell, Steve Meehan, Peter Sorensen, Carolyn & Elizabeth Nelson, Butch Delhagen, (Mike’s brother-in-law), Carolyn Delhagen (Mike’s sister), Albert Barnett, Morris Samuels
Passed into eternal life: Bill Carpenter, Kathryn Grinde, Gil Brittle
Serving in the Armed Forces
Cheyenne Anderson
Scott Estes
Joseph George
Cliff Lance
Steven Lee
Greg Merkl
Alexis Rye
Michael Hobbs