These prayers of the people are based on two lectionary texts for today: Psalm 124 and Exodus 1: 8-22.
Refrain: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Heaven and earth, O holy God, cannot contain your boundless glory.
Heaven and earth, O holy God, cannot contain your everlasting love.
You are gracious, compassionate, and good.
You are loving, patient, and kind.
You are parent, mother, and father.
You are God, and we are not.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
We give you thanks for your holy story, illumined for us this day.
You call us to be faithful at all costs,
especially when the powers of the world turn their backs
on people who are vulnerable or oppressed.
In the spirit of Shiphrah and the courage of Puah,
enliven and empower us to mean the words we often pray:
Thy kingdom, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Make us hear the truth of your calling,
and move us to follow with bold faithfulness.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
We give you thanks, O God, for the signs of your goodness all around:
For the sounds of newborn babies,
who cry that you are making all things new.
For the hands of compassionate doctors and nurses,
whose care is an extension of your own.
For the voices of prophets, old and new,
whose stories attest to the challenge of your call.
For the church, your body in this place;
in our struggle and in our song, may we witness to your love.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Help, O Lord; Help, we pray.
As we pray to you from the depths of our hearts,
humble us to ask for your help,
and make us wise enough to recognize it.
We pray for the people and places who are hurting this day:
[Name the concerns of your community.]
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
For the people of the Sudan, suffering great violence.
For all in the path of tropical storm Harvey,
preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
For marginalized people everywhere,
who suffer in the same system in which benefit.
Bring your spirit of comfort, O God:
your spirit of healing, in your time and your way;
your spirit of companionship, in fostering community;
your spirit of justice, in creating change;
your spirit of love, stronger than death itself.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen.
And also with you. 