Liturgy Bits for NL310 – Jonah and God’s Mercy

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

Prayer of the Day

Ascension will be using the prayer of the day provided by Working Preacher in 2020.

God of the seas, sky, and land, when Jonah turned to run from you, you showed him that nothing and no one could hide from your presence. You are in all things, and you love all things. Show us the gift of your presence, and help us to carry your word of compassion and grace to all the world, in the name of the one who carried out your love flawlessly, Jesus Christ our redeemer.
Amen.

Prayers of the Church (traditional)

Ascension is using the prayers for NL310 from 2020, provided by Clergy Stuff, adapted and updated

Sustained by God’s mercy, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

As self-absorbed and evasive as Jonah was, you still used him to powerfully and effectively proclaim your word of grace. Likewise, despite our flaws and resistance to your call, use us for the fulfillment of your mission in the world. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

In times of change or upheaval, we are tempted to withdraw and be concerned only for ourselves. Open us to our neighbors, especially those with whom we disagree, and encourage us to seek understanding across lines of belief and loyalties. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

The seas are once again crying out against the injustices which have been done to them. Empower all those working to clean the earth’s oceans and prevent further loss and damage to your beautiful creation. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

We give thanks for all those who have served our country – through military service, volunteer opportunities, elected office, or civil service. Encourage all of us to follow their examples and selflessly serve a cause in which we believe deeply. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

When struggling with illness of body, mind, and spirit, too often we find it easier to isolate ourselves from the healing blessings of community and mutual support. Help us reach out to those who are away from our community and use us to spread your spirit’s healing grace. 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?
God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Your departed saints are gone only from our sight, not really separated from us in spirit. Keep us bound together in ties of love and bring us to that day when we will all be reunited in your kingdom. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Receive our prayers and assure us of your unfailing mercy which is ours through Christ Jesus.
Amen.

Prayers of the People (contemporary)

Influenced by the Prayers of the Church above.  

Let us pray.

Pursuing God together, we gather in prayer for the church, the world, and all of God’s creation.

God of the church, you call each of us to a place where the world’s greatest need meets our greatest joy. Yet time and time again, we flee from you like Jonah, and time and time again, we are pursued and captured by you, O God, the hound of heaven. Open our hearts to serve you with reckless abandon.

God of your servants, we give thanks for all those who have served our country through military service, elected office, civil service, or volunteer programs. Encourage all of us to follow their examples and selflessly serve a cause in which we believe deeply.

God of the waters, the rivers and lakes and seas and oceans you have created are surely more damaged than they were when Jonah was thrown overboard into the water. Call forth and equip people to steward all of your creation.

God of mercy, we pray for those who struggle in body, mind, and spirit. Hold them in your healing embrace. 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?

Receive our prayers and assure us of your unfailing mercy which is ours through Christ Jesus.
Amen.