A Prayer Service

May 7, 2018

HYMN: “Lord of My Life, Whose Tender Care” (CW) #232

INVOCATION

OPENING PRAYER

READING: Psalm 139

PRAYER: Almighty and eternal God, who created this world and all of us in it, we thank you for the blessing of our life. And we thank You that You created us wonderfully. Lead all people everywhere to see Your work in the creation of life and to consider human life as sacred. Help us to stop the wanton destruction of newly created life in the mother’s womb. Protect and defend all to whom you give life until that day when you take their life from them again. Lead people everywhere to see the sin of abortion and all other sins and to recognize that they are under your wrath and punishment because of them. And then bring them to the precious knowledge of Your Son Jesus, so that they may have eternal life in His name. We ask this so that Your will may be done on this earth and that Your kingdom may come to all people.

HYMN: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (CW) #234

READING: Ezekiel 3:15-21

PRAYER: Dear Father in heaven, who does not delight in the death of the wicked, but would have all men to be saved, strengthen us to proclaim Your law and warn those who would continue in their sins. And at this time we especially pray that You would help us to warn those who continue in the sin of abortin. And then, dear Father, work mightily through this Word. Lead those whom we warn to repent of their sins and to turn to You for the comfort of forgiveness and life. We ask this not only that our nation may be cleansed of this hideous sin, but also that people may be warned about the path of destruction they are on, and that You may save them before it is too late. We ask this in the name of Him who died to save all people. Amen.

HYMN: “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying” (CW) #573

READING: 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2

PRAYER: O merciful and gracious God in heaven, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin, we thank You for the mercy You bestowed on us through Your Son Jesus Christ. As He has now called us to be His ambassadors to this world, so use us to bring Your message of peace to those around us. Bless those who work in our pregnancy care centers as they get this message out to those who come to them. Grant that this message may reach out to more people so that they will not sin by killing their children and so that they may know the joy of forgiveness. Strengthen each of us so that we will take more seriously the duty of ambassador which You have given to us. We ask this for the sake of Him who died for us and gave to us forgiveness and peace. Amen.

HYMN: “Take My Life and Let It Be” (CW) #469

READING: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

PRAYER: O Lord of the nations, Ruler of the universe, You have given authority to the governments of this world for the purpose of ruling over the people. We pray for these rulers that they would act responsibly in their positions over us. Lead the leaders of our nation to again restore justice for the unborn, who are being oppressed and killed. Be with our President as he speaks out against abortion. Be with our legislators as they consider laws that would protect the life of all people, whether unborn or elderly or handicapped. Be with our judges so that they will be Your representatives and not usurp Your place when it comes to deciding life or death situations. Forgive us for the sin of abortion which we as a nation are committing. Lead us to turn away from this sin and any sins which are a stench to You. Help Your church to be a light to our nation and all nations, so that people everywhere may turn to You the only true God and be saved. We asked this so that Your name may be hallowed among all people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

HYMN: “To You, Our God, We Fly” (CW) #620

LITANY

P: O Lord
C: Have mercy on us.
P: O Christ,
C: Have mercy on us.
P: O Lord,
C: Have mercy on us.

ALL: THE LORD’S PRAYER

P: Be merciful to us, O Lord,
C: Forgive us, for we have sinned against You.
P: Let your people be clothed with righteousness
C: And let your saints shout for joy.
P: Lead us in the path of righteousness,
C: Guide us in Your ways.
P: O Lord, we pray for justice.
C: Defend the helpless children from the slaughter of abortion.
P: We pray for our rulers.
C: Give them wisdom and courage to enact laws that protect and defend life.
P: We pray for those who have committed the sin of abortion.
C: Lead them to the knowledge of Your Son, and wash them clean of this sin through His blood.
P: We pray for the church.
C: Strengthen your people so that we proclaim both law and gospel.
P: We pray for forgiveness for ourselves.
C: We recognize that we also have sinned against you and need your forgiveness.

(Psalm 51)

P: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
C: According to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
P: Wash away all my iniquity
C: And cleanse me from my sin.
P: For I know my transgressions,
C: And my sin is always before me.
P: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
C: So that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
P: Surely I have been a sinner from birth,
C: Sinful from the time my other conceived me
P: Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
C: You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
P: Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean
C: Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
P: Let me hear joy and gladness;
C: Let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
P: Hide your face from my sins
C: And blot out all my iniquity.
P: Create in me a pure heart, O God,
C: And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
P: Do not cast me from your presence
C: Or take your Holy Spirit from me.
P: Restore to me the joy of your salvation
C: And grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
P: Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
C: And sinners will turn back to You.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: May He be with you also.