prayers of the people: August 12

My priest asked me to write the prayers of the people for tomorrow's service. Our readings have been full of stories of food recently, so that's how I came to this theme.

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When we say the Lord's prayer, we petition our heavenly Father for three things: to feed us, to forgive us, and to lead us.

Our prayers of His people this week will focus on these three petitions.

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We will conclude the following prayers as a congregation, saying, "Feed us, O Lord."

We ask that you nourish our bodies: grant all people access to clean water, to fresh produce, to markets like the Carrollton pantry that replenish our communities and stabilize our diets.
Feed us, O Lord.

We ask that you nourish our minds: provide literacy for all ages, bless our teachers, broaden our perspectives to include our enemies'.
Feed us, O Lord.

We ask that you nourish our spirits: lighten our loads so that we may enlighten others', give us time to relax and to embrace wellness, grant us the inner peace that comes from knowing all can be resolved or redeemed.
Feed us, O Lord.

We ask that you grant us solace for all we grieve, whether dreams deferred or people who taught us what love should be.
Feed us, O Lord.

Let us pray aloud or silently for our own and others' needs for daily bread.

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We will conclude the following prayers as a congregation, saying, "Forgive us, O Lord."

We ask that you forgive our insistence on worrying, knowing that our energy could be better spent finding favor in your sight, loving our neighbors, helping the weary among us to rest, shielding the joyous, laughing among the living.
Forgive us, O Lord.

We ask that you forgive us for those things done: lies and betrayals, harm to those we may or may not profess to love, failure.
Forgive us, O Lord.

We ask that you forgive us for those things undone: the unkept promises, unreturned communications, ungiven time or faith or kindness.
Forgive us, O Lord.

Let us pray aloud or silently for our own and others' trespasses.

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We will conclude the following prayers as a congregation, saying, "Lead us, O Lord."

We ask that our paths may be wide enough for all people to walk with us. Please help us to be your servants to those strangers who live next door, those infirm in body or spirit, those who are addicted, those who are outcast. Remind us they are your friends, made in your image.
Lead us, O Lord.

We ask that you give us the strength to go and do likewise, showing mercy and grace in our anger or annoyance or apathy.
Lead us, O Lord.

We ask that you send us into the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love.
Lead us, O Lord.

Let us pray aloud or silently for our own and others' deliverance.