Pray 5

Here are some praises and petitions for the end of another week and the beginning of a new one.

God, our Father, we praise your holy name. We recognize that you are all that we need and you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. In you, we live and move and have our being.

As we gather again for a Sunday prayer, we thank you for all that you have been for us and done for us in these past days and weeks. Each time that we call on you, you hear our prayers and, according to your wisdom and perfect timing, answer.

We give you thanks for each person who is working to take care of the sick and ask you to protect and strengthen them for their work. We thank you for all public servants, law enforcement and first responders, elected officials and volunteers who are working to meet the needs of the people around us.

We pray for those who are collecting information and working out plans for how to restart our way of life, allowing people to visit loved ones and to return to work. Please give them understanding and wisdom. And may we each do our part to keep this disease from spreading. We thank you, God, for the recoveries that are occurring and for keeping so many of us well.

Loving God, we pray for everyone who is hospitalized with COVID19 and every other ailment, recognizing that they are not only suffering, but isolated. May your presence and peace surround them and your healing come. Please bless and take care of families who are struggling financially, keeping them from being afraid and giving us all our daily bread.

Lord Jesus, we have celebrated once again your gift of eternal life to all who have believed and will believe that you are the Son of God. You were given as a sacrifice for all of our sins, crucified and buried, but victorious over death! You are alive and seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. You have sent the Holy Spirit to us, giving us comfort and counseling, leading us each day, empowering us to be patient during this time and loving toward each other.

As we begin another week, help us to keep our focus on you, Lord, casting all of our cares on you and being aware of and grateful for the blessings in each day. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever!  Amen.