This fall we are praying intentionally for our church family to reconnect with each other and grow. Our full prayers of the people are below for your personal use and use in church meetings, events, and other occasions. We encourage you to use the concluding prayer at any time you have a church gathering, class, function, or other occasion.

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s church and the world.

We give you thanks, oh Lord, for our creation. We thank you for giving us your Word that we might know and love you, and for the gift of your Holy Church in all its glory. Inspire us and the Church continually, that it may be a sign of your coming Kingdom, a true witness to your work in the world, and that it may fulfill its mission to restore all people to unity with You and each other in Christ. Lord, hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for all the Nations and peoples of the Earth, especially our Nation. We pray for our elected and appointed leaders, that they may use their authority justly for the benefit of all people. Lord, hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for our city of Lynchburg and the communities around us. We pray for all those in positions of public trust, and ask for a blessing on all human labor: that we may use the riches of creation to your glory. Lord, hear our prayer.

We give you thanks especially for our St. John’s family. We honor those who have gone before us. We pray for those who have fallen away, those who have returned, and those who are somewhere in-between. We pray for our Day School children, their families and their teachers. We pray for the members of our family who are among us this morning, and those who are absent. Lord, hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for all those whom you have given us to love. We pray for [all those on our Parish prayer list]. We pray for those who have asked for our prayers, and those who are on our hearts, who we now name either silently or aloud at this time. (Pause) We pray for all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble. Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who have died, especially those whom we now name either silently or aloud at this time (Pause). Comfort us in our sorrows Lord. Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. Lord, hear our prayer.

Let us now pray for ourselves: for our own needs, those we know and those known to you alone.

Shine your truth into our hearts, O Lord. Give us the ears to hear you in music and laughter. Give us the eyes to see you in art, the beauty of creation, and in the loving care of our church and human family. Instill in us a desire for you. May we find you in our shared worship life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Celebrant Concludes

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Send your Holy Spirit to revive our hearts. Kindle in us a passion for your Gospel so that we can show forth your grace in our families, our neighborhoods, and the city of Lynchburg. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within our Spiritual Home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.