Prayers by the Pastor for the People of God

 

Let us pray.
O blessed Lord Jesus Christ,
You fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness,
in preparation for Your mission.
Give birth in us, the same desire which was in You,
to learn,
and to do the Heavenly Father's will.
During this season, as we join the Church Universal,
and keep the fast,
help us, to test and examine our ways, and to return unto You.
Fashion within us, a healthy self-control over appetites,
pleasures,
and entertainment.
These little victories will help us,
to become better soldiers,
in the on-going battle against the world,
the flesh,
and the devil.
As we propose to go on a spiritual journey,
which will take us to Jerusalem,
to the Upper Room,
the Garden of Gethsemane,
the Via Dolorosa,
Calvary,
and the Garden Tomb,
enable us, to set in motion, in our souls, the very things,
which will bring an awakening to new life at Easter.
As we Gather together to inaugurate this holy time,
inspire by Passiontide music,
uplifted by the reading of Your Word,
challenged by its proclamation,
edified by prayer,
encircled by purple draperies,
enthralled by banners capturing the story of salvation,
and caught-up in the glow of candlelight;
put us in a mood for deep reflection.
Grand us, sorrow for our sins,
gratitude for Your benefits,
fear of Your judgment,
love of Your mercies,
and a mindfulness of Your presence, now and forevermore;
O Jesus Christ,
Man of Sorrows,
the Holy and Adorable Redeemer, and the Lamb of God! And all the people said: "AMEN!"
 
 
 
 
Let us pray.
Behold Your family gathered here, Lord Jesus,
for whom You were willing to be betrayed,
given up into the hands of wicked men,
and to suffer death upon the cross.
We thank You, that You suffered all as our Substitute:
FOR US You endured the treachery of Judas,
and mockery and mistreatment of Herod;
and the miscarriage of justice before Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate;
and the scourge,
the rod,
and the crown of thorns, from the Roman soldiers.
For our sins, Your hands and feet were pierced with nails;
Your lips tasted the vinegar and the gall;
and Your side was thrust by the spear.
You were set forth as a spectacle---despised,
derided, and scornfully arrayed;
yet in Your humiliation, revealed Your majesty!
Draw us, both to see the Man among men, and to worship the King of Kings.
Great Physician, in the interest of our salvation,
You refused to drink the drugged wine,
forcing You to remain fully conscious,
feeling the intense pain,
on the day of Your execution.
As a young man facing death, You pre-maturely had to let-go of family ties
and the bonds of friendship.
Having tasted the bitter cup, You fully connect with every man and woman,
and child and youth,
confronting health problems:
and anticipating surgery,
others foreseeing worsening conditions,
and still others expecting an immediate rendezvous with the Angel of Death.
We hold firmly to faith in You.
You are the Great High Priest able to sympathize with us in our weakness.
It is with confidence that we approach Your throne of grace, to receive
mercy and help in our time of need.
Christ Jesus, You extended pardon and peace to the repentant thief;
man those who find themselves on their deathbed,
receive forgiveness for their sins,
and acquire the promise of everlasting life.
And as Simon of Cyrene was enlisted to carry Your cross,
grant that family members and friends,
and co-workers and congregants,
will make themselves available,
as care-givers,
to help the sick and the weary,
to carry their crosses of suffering.
And all the people said, "AMEN!"