These prayers were written with last week’s lectionary texts in mind: Jonah 3:1-10 and Mark 1:14-20.
Liturgy writing is a very colorful process.
Holy God, living word,
hear the prayers of your people.
We give you thanks for wonders great and small:
for warmth in winter,
for peace in chaos,
for family, for health,
for words of hope,
and showers of mercy.
Proclaim your good news to us once more,
and help us to repent, believe, and follow.
We give you thanks for the stories of faith:
for the scriptures that point to your love for us.
For John, Simon, Andrew, and James,
who left their nets to follow you;
For the story of Jonah, Ninevah, and the king,
who bear witness to your loving mercy;
For all the saints of our lives today,
who have entrusted the faith to us.
Move us, O God, from prayers of thanksgiving
to lives of thanksgiving.
Move us, O God, from breathing with every prayer
to praying with every breath.
Proclaim your good news to us once more,
and help us to repent, believe, and follow.
As we lift a prayer in thanksgiving, O God,
we lift another in worry.
God whose mercy knows no end,
hear the prayers of your people.
We pray for all who are ill this day:
whose bodies are weary with disease or injury.
Breathe healing upon them, O God,
Breathe healing upon us, O God.
Proclaim your good news to us once more,
and help us to repent, believe, and follow.
You created the world good,
and we pray for the places where news is bad.
For countries, cities, neighborhoods, and families
torn apart by violence or fear:
Breathe peace, O God.
For your church around world,
seeking to serve you in a new way:
Breathe new life, O God.
For all who are seeking hope, direction, or community:
Breathe your spirit, O God.
Proclaim your good news to us once more,
and help us to repent, believe, and follow.
In the name of the one who embodied your love,
the one who always invites us to follow,
Amen.
And also with you. 