Liturgy Bits for NL306 – God Answers Hannah

For more resources for this Sunday, please visit lectionary.wiki.

Prayer of the Day

Ascension is using the prayer of the day as provided by Working Preacher, with some adaptations.

God who answers prayer, we are blessed and humbled that you hear us when we call to you in our time of deepest longing. Receive our gratitude for your listening ear.
Amen.

Prayers of the Church (traditional)

Adapted from the prayers for this Sunday offered by Clergy Stuff in 2020-21

United by the joy of what is to come, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

A brief silence.

Waiting for something wonderful can make us impatient, and blind us to all that is before our eyes in this moment.  May we constantly find reasons to be grateful in life, whether the blessings are large or small.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who desire children but are unable to have them biologically or through adoption, for parents who feel regret at their choice, and for children who feel unwanted.  Lead us to the places and the people who can heal our hearts and make us whole.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Bless the efforts of those working to preserve arctic habitats and wildlife, amid diminishing ice fields and resources.  Assist us in finding ways to protect all the climates of this beautiful planet on which we live.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

You hear the distress of your children when they cry to you.  Comfort the suffering and bring joy to the grieved.  Send your healing spirit to those who need it.  We pray especially for those from our community who are receiving hospice care: **insert names here**. For what and for whom else do the people of God pray?
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Keep us united with all those who have gone before us in this life, whom we will join for all eternity when we reach our heavenly reward.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

We place these prayers into your hands and trust that you will be merciful to your children, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Prayers of the People (contemporary)

Influenced by the Prayers of the Church above

Let us pray.

United by God’s love, we come together in prayer for the church, the world, and all those in need.

God of patience, we are an impatient people. It’s hard to wait! When we seek your blessing on our lives, we don’t want to wait for the right time. We want big blessings, and we want them now. Help us to seek your presence in our lives, and give us patience as we pursue you.

God of the future, we pray for those who long to have children of their own, but for whatever reason are not able to do so. We pray for parents who struggle with their choices and decisions, and we pray for children who feel unwanted. Lead us to the places and people that can heal our hearts.

God our comforter, we pray for those who struggle in body, mind, and spirit. Bring joy to those who are grieving, and bring comfort to those who are hurting. We pray especially for those from our community who are receiving hospice care: **insert names here**. For what and for whom else do the people of God pray?

We place these prayers into your hands, O God, and trust that you will be merciful to your children, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.
Amen.