Prayers of the People

23 Pentecost, 16 November 2025

The response to “Merciful Lord” is “hear us!”

Loving God, empower us, in our struggle for justice and truth, to challenge one another without bitterness or rancor so that together we may accomplish so much more than any one of us alone. 

Merciful Lord, hear us!

Lord, remember our nation. In a time when violent words fan violent actions, we pray for the Congress and the courts to uphold the integrity of the Constitution and the protection of those who defend the rule of law.

As ICE paramilitary intimidations continue on our streets, we pray for the courage to stand in solidarity with immigrants and immigrant communities living in increasing fear. Merciful Lord, hear us!

We pray for the Church and her life: for Sarah, Archbishop-designate of Canterbury; for Sean, Presiding Bishop, and for Nicholas, our bishop; for Hosam, Archbishop of Jerusalem; for Pope Leo; for Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch. We pray for a witness and commitment to service among all Christian leaders. 

Merciful Lord, hear us!

In a world of increasingly pressing needs, we pray with renewed energy for a successful outcome to the Hamas-Israeli peace process. We pray for peace with justice to come to the Holy Land. 

We continue to pray for a negotiated peace in Ukraine that honors a commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and future self-determination. 

We pray for an alleviation of the enormous suffering of the Sudanese people and an end to civil wars in Sudan, Yemen, and Myanmar. We pray for all forced to flee from their homes and homelands due to the violence of war and threats to life and livelihood. 

Merciful Lord, hear us!

We remember the Earth and the threat of climate change, praying for the strengthening of emergency services and necessary infrastructure to meet the challenge of climate instability. We remember communities in the path of hurricanes, wildfires, devastating floods, and rising sea levels. 

Merciful Lord, hear us!

We pray for all in need and in trouble: for those whose strength is failing through ill health; whose spirits are flagging through depression; whose determination is being sapped through addiction; that they might know God’s comforting presence and healing. 

Merciful Lord, hear us!

We remember with love those who have asked for our solidarity in prayer: Beth, Bill, Mary, Ron, Sam, Kenny, Waylan, Marilou, and others we name. Merciful Lord, hear us!

We pray for our own needs, as well as those nearest and dearest to us, remembering those celebrating birthdays and other anniversaries in the coming week, especially BG Goff, Piya Sarawagi, Laura Bartsch, and Alisa West. Merciful Lord, hear us!

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, we remember those we love but see no longer, especially those we name. We pray for all who grieve. Merciful Lord, hear us!