Prayers of the People: Proper 16 C

Here’s a prayer of intercession inspired by the suggested scripture readings for Proper 16C.  It comes from Richard J. Fairchild’s Kir-shalom website.

Prayer of Intercession
(inspired by Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17)

Loving God, we thank you for appointing Jesus as the mediator of a new and better covenant - and for making us part of the church of the first born - of those whose names are written in heaven.  Through him, your living word, you reach out to us and set us free from those things that weigh us down and bring us into joyful assembly with the angels and all those gathered before your throne.  We praise you, O Lord, and pray that your light might be seen and welcomed throughout the whole earth.... 
Lord, hear our prayer...

We pray, O Lord, for all those who are bent over and oppressed by crippling spirits.   Set them free and set free too all those whose attitudes and opinions lead them to burden others and to shut the door to
your healing power in our midst.... 
Lord, hear our prayer...

We pray, O Lord, for the little ones - for those who are seen as unimportant - for those who are devalued by our world.   Help them to know themselves as your beloved children.  Indeed we pray now for all who
hunger for the Bread of Life  and thirst for the Wine of Heavenly Joy....... .
Lord, hear our prayer...

We pray too, O Lord, for those individuals and situations that were shared in sharing time, and those who names rest now upon our hearts... (bidding prayers)
Lord, hear our prayer...

Lord of all, your glory is a gift to all peoples, and the door to Your Kingdom is open to the last and the least of all.  We thank you for this time of worship.   By Your Spirit be present in us as we leave this place
today, lead us in the narrow way, and save us at the last through Christ Jesus, he who is our Lord and Saviour, and our brother and our friend.  We ask it in his name.  Amen.

~ written by Richard J. Fairchild, with inspiration from an earlier prayer by John Maynard.  Posted on Kir-shalom. http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/c-or21su.php