Standing For Prayer: Faithful Devotion And Its Impact

The Prayers of the Faithful, also known as the Universal Prayer or General Intercessions, are a collection of corporate prayers spoken at western liturgical churches such as Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran churches. The prayers are introduced by a priest, then a deacon or another member of the congregation proposes a number of intentions to pray for, and the people respond with a short invocation such as Lord, hear our prayer. The faithful gather together as a church body to make intercessory petitions for the Church, global issues, individuals, and their community. The prayers are performed at the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word and are made for the needs of the Church, public authorities and the salvation of the whole world, for those burdened by any kind of difficulty, and for the local community.

Prayer for the Church

The Prayers of the Faithful, also known as the Universal Prayer or General Intercessions, are a collection of corporate prayers spoken at western liturgical churches, such as Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran churches. The prayers are performed at the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, with the congregation standing and giving expression to their prayer either by an invocation or by praying in silence.

> Almighty God, we pray for your Church. May we be a beacon of hope and light for our world, shining your light in the darkness and bringing your hope to the hopeless. We ask that you would strengthen and encourage your people, and give us a deep desire to share your love with those around us. We pray that we would be faithful in our service to you and to one another, and that our words and actions would bring glory to your name. We ask that you would bless our leaders and give them wisdom as they guide and direct your people. We pray for unity and peace within your Church, that we would be one as you and the Father are one. We pray for those who have strayed from the faith, that they would return to you and experience your forgiveness and restoration. We pray for those who feel alienated and marginalized within the Church, that they would be welcomed and loved, and that we would truly be a family that reflects your heart of love and acceptance. We ask that you would give us a spirit of humility and holiness, and that we would be a people who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. We pray that you would give us a heart for those who are lost and hurting, and that we would be a light that draws them to you. We ask for your blessing and protection over your Church, and that you would be glorified in all that we say and do. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

> For the Church. May we be light for our world, open to listening to each other, reconciling those who feel alienated, and welcoming back those who have strayed. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. May we live with humility and in holiness, welcoming others with warm hospitality, opening our hearts to the poor and needy, listening to each other, and working together in solidarity. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. Inspire our motivations and directions. Bless our efforts to show the world that your love is unconditional. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church and our leadership. May we work together to find unity, healing, and peace. May we be a sign of your love in the world. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. May your Spirit lead us to live the Gospel more fully, to be a sign to the world of your deep love for all, to herald justice and peace, and to be faithful to the truth. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. May we embrace all who struggle with faith, those who are confused, those who believe they are too rational to believe, and those who seek better direction for their lives. May we help open their hearts. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church all over the world. May the seeds of faith planted within all people grow beautifully and bountifully, that the entire earth may be a sign of your kingdom. We ask you, God, to receive our prayer.

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> For the Church. May we trust in the constancy of your love. May we be a healing presence for others, and guide them to experience life more abundantly. We ask you, God, to receive our prayer.

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> For the Church. Help us abandon power and politics, and support Pope Francis and his direction to embrace the cross of serving our world. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. Strengthen our vision and our support for Pope Francis. Deepen our dependency on God rather than on our possessions, accomplishments, or power. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. Give us the grace of patience and gentleness. Open our hearts and minds to share more from our abundance. May we be a sign of your generous love for others. We ask you, God, to receive our prayer.

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> For the Church. May we nourish the world with faith and hope. Bless us with unity and joy. May we walk together as loving, dedicated disciples. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. Free us from our prejudices and judgmental attitudes. Strengthen us to reform habits that have stolen our joy. Open our minds to the miracles you provide so abundantly. We ask you, God, to receive our prayer.

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> For the Church. May we recommit ourselves to Christian discipleship. May the teachings of Pope Francis help us intentionally choose to follow Christ always, especially through doubts and difficulties. We ask you, God, to receive our prayer.

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> For the Church. Help us to be good stewards of the many gifts you have entrusted to us. May they bring direction to our planet and uplift humanity with its sacred dignity. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church in her diversity—people of every race and culture, rich and poor, healthy and compromised, celibate, single, married, or widowed. May we all know that you are the source of our life and hope. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. May our faith be deepened, and our hope strengthened. May our love abound with energy and enthusiasm, and may we be channels of peace, justice, and truth. We ask you, Risen Lord, to hear our prayer.

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> For the Church. May our words and actions teach your healing love and your compassionate mercy. May we continually encourage understanding and hospitality so that the world may know the promise of new life. We ask you, Risen Lord, to hear our prayer.

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> For the Church. Give us energy to inspire conversion, strength to encourage peace and justice, and courage to live in deeper holiness. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. May this season of Advent help us to find ways to be light for the world, to bring unity and healing within and among nations, and to promote peace. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church. Together, may we have wisdom and insight so that we may find ways to strengthen the marginalized and the frightened, lighting the way for Christ to shine in every life. We ask you, God, to receive our prayer.

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> For the Church. May we be signs of your love and care to all, especially those who are marginalized or outcast, those who doubt their own value, and all who need their dignity restored. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

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> For the Church and all who minister within it. May we learn to surrender our fears, ambitions, ego, and power. May our activity as servants help to heal the world. We ask you, Lord, to hear your people's prayer.

Prayer for public and governing authorities

The Prayers of the Faithful, also known as the Universal Prayer or General Intercessions, is a collection of corporate prayers that are spoken at western liturgical churches, such as Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran churches. The prayers are performed at the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word and are structured as follows: a brief introduction by the presider of the liturgy, who invites the congregation to pray; the speaker of the petitions proceeds; and the presider concludes with an oration.

The Prayer for Public and Governing Authorities is one of the intentions that should be included in all compositions of the Prayers of the Faithful. This prayer is for public authorities and the salvation of the world. During this prayer, the faithful may stand and give expression to their prayer through an invocation or by praying in silence.

"Gracious Father, thank You for blessing us with leaders who are concerned about the welfare of our community. We thank You for giving our governmental leaders the wisdom to identify and courageously address concerns that impact our nations. Thank You for blessing their lives. Lord, Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. You always keep Your promises; You are gracious in all that You do. You help the fallen and lift those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to You in hope; You give them their food as they need it. When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Lord, we praise and bless Your Holy Name, forever and ever!

Almighty Father, the government of the earth is on the shoulders of Jesus Christ, the One we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Therefore, we confess that our leaders will rule in a manner that reflects the love and authority of Christ. By faith, we declare that our leaders and those who work with them will trust in You with all of their hearts and not depend on their own understanding. They will seek Your will in all that they do, and as they do this, we trust that You will show them which path to take."

Another example of a prayer for governing authorities is the following:

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.

Lord, we know that in the midst of this time, You have kingdom purpose. You have brought our country to its knees. Nothing that is happening is a surprise to You. You see the big picture, and You are at work in ways that we cannot see. Please guide the direction of our country."

Praying for governing authorities is an important way to demonstrate obedience to God and to seek His will in the leadership of our communities and nations.

Prayer for those burdened by adversity or difficulty

The Prayers of the Faithful are a collection of corporate prayers spoken at western liturgical churches, such as Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Lutheran churches. The prayers are made for the Church, global issues, individuals, and the community.

A Prayer for Casting Your Burdens on Jesus

Jesus invites you to cast your burdens onto him through prayer. Here is a prayer for casting your burdens on Jesus during difficult times:

"Dear Jesus, you know the burdens I’m carrying right now [mention each one specifically]. You know the tears I’ve cried because of my suffering and sadness. Thank you for your willingness to help me manage every one of my difficulties. I acknowledge that I can’t bear these heavy burdens alone. I’m surrendering them to you right now. I choose to trust you in each difficult situation I face. Please guide me as I go through this challenging time. Take away my anxiety and replace it with the peace that only you can give. I release my worries and receive your peace. Even though I can’t predict how my difficult circumstances will improve, I know you will go ahead of me and work it all out for the best in the right timing, according to your wisdom. Strengthen my faith, Lord, so I can keep trusting you as you continue to carry my burdens. I pray in your holy name. Amen."

A Prayer for Finding Strength

When you choose to move closer to God during difficult times, you will find the strength you need to handle your challenges. Here is a prayer for finding strength in adversity:

"Mighty God, I need your power to help me get through this difficult season. Father, even though I’m vulnerable and sometimes feel weak, I trust in your unlimited strength to help me with these challenges I’m facing. Please sustain me during this tough time, and always. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that your Holy Spirit will help me with whatever I need. Please fill me with your Spirit to empower me to face every challenge with confidence and courage. Strengthen my faith as I walk through difficult times with you, day by day. I believe that your strength will infuse my soul with hope. Thank you for being my strength, my Heavenly Father. Amen."

A Prayer for Finding Wisdom

During difficult times, you may find yourself grappling with confusion or indecision. Through prayer, you can humbly ask God for wisdom, knowing that he generously grants it to those who seek him. Here is a prayer for finding wisdom during challenging periods:

"Dear God, thank you that I can truly rely on your wisdom to guide me during these difficult times. You are the source of all wisdom, and I acknowledge my need for your direction in every decision I face during challenging times. Please give me wisdom to illuminate my path and lead me in the right direction. I confess that my understanding is limited, and I need your divine insight to navigate the complexities of the difficulties I face. My mind and heart are open to receiving your wisdom. Please help me discern your guidance in every area of my life. When you’re leading me to say or do something, please help me obey that guidance with courage. May your will be done in my life. I trust you to use these difficult times to fulfill good purposes for me and everyone else concerned. Thank you for walking with me through each day as my wise and loving guide. Amen."

A Prayer for Persevering with Faith

You can persevere with faith through difficult times as you keep connecting with God through prayer. God will answer your prayers by sending renewed encouragement and strength. Here is a prayer to help you persevere with faith through adversity:

"Dear Jesus, you know what it’s like to go through difficult times in this fallen world. During your earthly life, you persevered through all sorts of troubles. There’s nothing we face as humans that you don’t understand or care about. For as long as I have to deal with the difficult situations I’m experiencing, please help me persevere with faith. Keep encouraging me and giving me strength, so I won’t grow weary. I look forward to continuing to trust you day by day. Thank you, Jesus. Everything is possible for me with you by my side. I love you. Amen."

Prayer for the local community

Lord, we pray for our local community. We ask that you would strengthen and encourage all those who seek to serve and protect the vulnerable. Help us to be generous with our time, possessions, and money. We pray especially for those who have recently lost loved ones. Comfort them in their grief and heal their broken hearts. We also lift up to you those in our community who are in need. May love and goodness fill their lives.

We pray for our parish, that we may cultivate welcome, extend hospitality, and encourage the participation of people of all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Give us the courage to have difficult conversations about racism and help us to appreciate how our words and actions – and even our silence – can impact our communities.

We pray for solidarity in our global human family, that we may work together to protect those who are most vulnerable and most in need. We pray for an end to the violence perpetrated by harsh words, deadly weapons, or cold indifference. May our homes, our nation, and countries around the world become havens of peace.

We pray for our faith community, that we may celebrate and welcome the diverse faces of Christ in our worship, our ministries, and our leaders. Give us the wisdom to receive the stories and experiences of those different from ourselves and to respond with respect. Help us to boldly respond to your Holy Spirit's call to act together to end violence and racism. We pray for healing and justice for all those who have experienced violence and racism.

We pray for protection for all police and first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety. We pray for fair and just policing that will promote peace and wellbeing in all our neighbourhoods. We pray for our public officials, that they will strive to work for fair education, adequate housing, and equal opportunities for employment for all.

Prayer for the world

Dear Lord, we gather here today as your faithful followers, to offer our prayers for the world. We ask that you grant us the wisdom to face the challenges that lie ahead and guide us towards peace and harmony.

Prayer for Global Leadership

We pray for the leaders of the world, that they may have the strength and compassion to serve their people and promote unity and understanding among nations. May they work towards ending violence, injustice, and prejudice, and strive for the common good. We pray that they put the needs of the vulnerable first and create a more welcoming and compassionate world for all.

Prayer for an End to Suffering

Lord, we pray for an end to the pain and suffering that plagues so many. Ease the struggles of those facing war, depression, persecution, hunger, violence, and injustice. Comfort those who grieve and bring healing to the sick, addicted, and bereaved. May your light shine upon those who feel lost or alone, filling them with hope and courage.

Prayer for Environmental Stewardship

We pray for guidance in caring for our planet and its resources. Help us to address the challenges of climate change and environmental issues, and grant us the wisdom to make decisions that will protect our world for future generations.

Prayer for Global Community

Lord, we pray for a sense of unity and solidarity among all people. May we break down the barriers that divide us and come together as a global family, supporting and uplifting one another. Help us to embrace our differences and treat each person with dignity and respect, regardless of race, language, or culture.

Prayer for Faith and Hope

Dear Lord, strengthen our faith and fill our hearts with hope. May we always find comfort and guidance in your word and be a light for those around us. Help us to spread your message of love and compassion to all corners of the earth.

We lift up our prayers to you, Lord, trusting in your goodness and mercy. We ask that you hear our petitions and guide our world towards a brighter future. In your holy name, we pray, Amen.

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