Pastors and church secretaries
You may copy these prayers (as is or modified) and use them in worship services or bulletins/newsletters.

My Prayer
When I consider the death and resurrection of Jesus, God of Heaven, I am amazed at your love for me and for the whole world. Give me your Holy Spirit so I may share the gift of this love with those around me. Help me to understand that I don’t need to go to Africa or Asia to be a missionary, but you have called me to be your disciple here and now. Help me to understand that I don’t need a degree in Bible to share my excitement for the power of your Word in my life, but you have called me just as I am to speak. Help me to understand that you have called me to faithfully share your love, even if it is rejected. You have called me to share the love of Jesus. Help me to do just that every day of my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

Litany

Leader: We pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Leader: God of the church, empower your people throughout the world to share the gospel with boldness that your church may grow in faith and in numbers. Be with our leaders, our Bishops Mark and ________________, with our pastor(s) in Christ________________, with our staff that they may encourage and support your church as we seek to witness to your love through Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy....

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Leader: God of the nations, be with political leaders throughout the world that they may rule with justice and compassion so that your Word may not be bound but have free course in every corner of the world. Empower us to be instruments of peace and justice in our community and our world. Lord in your mercy....

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Leader: Healing God, we pray for those in need in our congregation and in our community. We pray especially for ________________. We pray for those who have not felt the healing power of your love in their lives. We pray that our ministry to those in need may be yet another witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lord in your mercy....

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Leader: God of wisdom, give us the courage to be your witnesses in the world. Help us to see the mission field right outside our door. Give us boldness to speak your word when boldness is needed. Give us compassionate hearts and listening ears in those places where your compassion and presence are needed. Give us joyful hearts that others may see the joy of knowing you in our lives and on our faces. Lord in your mercy....

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Leader: God of the Ages, we give you thanks for all those who have joined the Heavenly cloud of witnesses. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to follow their witness. Lord in your mercy....

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

Pastor: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for who we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Congregation: Amen

Lord, hear our prayer . . .

Leader: Gracious God, we thank you for mission developers across this country who witness to your name – who reach out to those who have no church connections.

People: Inspire and bless them as they use their gifts to serve you.

Leader: We ask you this day to especially bless those who have recently been called to start ELCA congregations:
- Steven Gartland, Lakeville, MN
- Don Hanberry, Bethlehem, GA
- Joyce Miller, Columbus, NE
- Marion Wang, Bothell, WA

People: Give them joy as they announce your Good News. Strengthen them for the tasks ahead.

Leader: Guide these missionaries as they knock on doors, as they meet people at stores and public institutions, and as they tell others about you.

People: Fill their hearts with your Spirit that your Word may be alive in and through them, and that all their words and deeds speak of your forgiving love.

Leader: We pray for the people in these neighborhoods who will be visited in the months ahead.

People: Quicken the hearts of those who will be called upon that they may be open to the witness of your people. Create a hunger within them for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and the desire to know you ever more deeply.

Leader: O God, help us all be faithful messengers of hope. AMEN.

Prayer Petition
God of the seed and harvest, we lift before you those who are planting new congregations in the ELCA. May the people they encounter discover new life in you. Anoint us all with the power of your Spirit, that we, too, might bring Good News to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer Petition
God, your blessings overflow! How can we even begin to show our gratitude? We are mindful of your gifts, especially the gift of faith and new life that comes to those who discover Jesus as their Lord. Today we pray for all who are involved in evangelism. We especially ask you to guide the work of mission developers and mission congregations across this country as they seek to make Christ known in their neighborhoods, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer for the Courage to Witness
Lord, I thank you for life, for health, and for all your many blessings. I thank you, especially, for your presence in my life.

I realize that while I share many things with my family and friends, I rarely share what your presence means to me. I'm concerned about what words to use . . . or that they'll think I'm being too pushy . . . or that they just won't be interested.

Help me, Lord, to see opportunities for witnessing and give me the courage to speak . AMEN.

Prayer for One Who Does Not Know Jesus
Lord God, giver of all good things, thank you for all the spiritual and earthly blessings that have come from your hand. Help me to use your gifts to love and serve my neighbor.

I thank you, today, for ___________, who has been a good friend to me. But, while she (he) has many needs, she (he) doesn't recognize a need for you. Give me courage and wisdom to witness to your love. Give me the words to speak and send your Holy Spirit into her (his) heart so she (he) may listen and believe.

Help me to trust in your words as did the apostles: "It shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks for you." (Text?)

Give power to my words, that ___________ may find joy and new life in your presence.

LITANY: We are Your Missionary People
Leader: Gracious God, you have called us to be witnesses to your loving actions. Guide the ELCA – its synods, its congregations, and its people – to feel the urgency of sharing the Good News.

People: WE ARE YOUR MISSIONARY PEOPLE.

Leader: Gracious God, you used Peter and Paul, Mary Magdalene and Phoebe to tell others about Jesus. Use each of us, Lord, to tell that story today. Give us the motivation and the courage to share our faith in you with our neighbors . . . our relatives. . . and our colleagues at work.

People: WE ARE YOUR MISSIONARY PEOPLE.

Leader: Gracious God, you have called many through the centuries to be your public witnesses . . . to serve you as pastors, deaconesses, missionaries, and teachers. Continue to gift your people and call them into ministry.

People: WE ARE YOUR MISSIONARY PEOPLE.

Leader: Gracious God, assure us of your presence and provide the words so that we may be bold evangelists for you.

People: AMEN.

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