Intercessions: Reformation Sunday

Here’s is a prayer of intercession suitable for use on Reformation Sunday (October 30, 2011). 

For an alternate prayer for this Sunday, see Prayers of the People: Reformation

Prayer of Intercession
for Reformation Day

Confident in the gracious and ever-widening mercy of God,
let us pray for the world, the body of Christ,
and all who yearn for wholeness of life.

Liberate us from our bondage to sin, God of freedom,
that your church would continually be reshaped and reformed
by the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Show your righteousness, God of justice,
that all who are oppressed and marginalized,
forgotten, and cast aside
would be given voice by elected leaders and compassionate citizens.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make wars to cease in all the world, God of peace,
that all strife, violence, and bloodshed give way
to reconciliation, compassion, and new life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Take us by our hand, God of companionship,
when we are paralyzed by our fears
and unable to step out in boldness.
Give us courage to walk confidently with you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give your stillness, God of calm,
to all who are facing illness, surgery,
or any uncertainty of health (especially).
May they know that their times are in your ever-healing hands.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Write your law of love on our hearts, God of all,
that we, like our forebears in faith,
would be unswerving in our witness to your grace
that is ours through the gift of faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Listen to us when we call upon you, most merciful God,
and grant us grace to entrust our lives and our world
to your unfailing love,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

— from the website of  St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf, Iowa. 

For more resources for Reformation Sunday (October 30, 2011) , click on Reformation Day in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page. 

For other prayers and prayer resources on this blog, see this Scriptural Prayer Index or this Topical Prayer Index.