Pray for Spring, Texas

Father,

We lift up to you our neighbors in Spring Texas. You have given us a commission to share your love with them. We ask that you would turn our hearts to you, strengthen us to serve you by calling and praying for our neighbors. Let us be a light and blessing to them through the power of your Holy Spirit. We pray for them, that you would heal their bodies, comfort them in sorrow and affliction, forgive them their sins and bring them into relationship with you through Jesus Christ our Lord. May your peace so encompass Spring that your name may be glorified by all people.

Thank you for your love and faithfulness to us and our neighbors.

For the Victims of Addiction

Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.

Wake my Soul with All Things Living

Wake my soul with all things living
thanks be giving to the Source of life and day
Sunlight comes and gone confusion, night's illusion,
like the starlightfades away.

All your hopeful plans confessing
ask for blessing on that good which you would do
but if you should need correction, ask direction
pray for purpose clear and new.

Cry for help, when griefs assail you,
good friends fail you, life seems hopeless, death appears.
One whose child knew deep affliction, crucifixion,
ever waits to dry your tears.

Wake my soul with all things living
thanks be giving to the Source of life and day
Sunlight comes and gone confusion, night's illusion,
like the starlightfades away.

Canticle 12 A Song of Creation

Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

I The Cosmic OrderGlorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord,
*O heavens and all waters above the heavens.

Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew,
*all winds and fire and heat.

Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold,
*drops of dew and flakes of snow>

Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O nights and days,
*O shining light and enfolding dark.

Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

II The Earth and its Creatures

Let the earth glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills,and all that grows upon the earth,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams,
*O whales and all that move in the waters.

All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild,
*and all you flocks and herds.

O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

III The People of God

Let the people of God glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Doxology

Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord,
*praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Psalm 149:3-4

Let them praise his name with dancing;
and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

For the LORD takes delight in his people;
and adorns the poor with victory.

Prayer for America

Father in Heaven, we lift up before you our country, the United States of America. She is a country who has strived to be an example of your love for the world, but has also failed in many respects to live up to your standards. Where we have failed and are broken, Lord, forgive and heal us. Where we are weak, Lord, strengthen us. Where we are lost, Lord, guide and lead us. Where we are in danger, Lord, protect and defend us. Where we are wrong Lord, bring us into all truth. Lord, forgive and heal this country and keep her in your grace that she may grow into a beacon of hope and bring glory to you.

A Prayer of Self Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For the Victims of Addiction

Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.

Psalm 122

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
"May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8 For my brethren and companions' sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good."

For Those Who Suffer Mental Illness

Father, we lift up to you those who suffer from mental illness. It is so much more difficult to navigate our medical system when our ability to think is under attack. Give grace to their psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers who give aid to these your children. Assure your children of your love for them despite their actions which seem to others to be out of control. Give grace to their families who struggle to understand and to help them. Guard them in their weakened state from attacks by evil, especially drug and alcohol abuse.

Help us all to respond in grace to those you place in our lives rather then with fear or anger. Help us to minister your love to our friends and loved ones while not enabling them to further damage their lives. Guard and protect those whose minds are so damaged that they are not able to guard and protect themselves. These are truly the "least of these" who find a special place in your heart. Make our hearts soft to care for them as you do.

Matthew 21

Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself'?"

Isaiah 12

Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;

Psalm 118:4-9 Confitemini Domino

Let those who fear the LORD now proclaim, *"His mercy endures for ever."

I called to the LORD in my distress; *the LORD answered by setting me free.

The LORD is at my side, therefore I will not fear; *what can anyone do to me?

The LORD is at my side to help me; *I will triumph over those who hate me.

It is better to rely on the LORD *than to put any trust in flesh.

It is better to rely on the LORD *than to put any trust in rulers.

For Joy in God's Creation

O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Unemployed

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Unity of the Church

God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Father, it is so easy for us to build up resentment in the body. Heal our relationships and put your balm on our wounds, that we may show the world that we are your children.

Matthew 19: 23-30

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible."

27 Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 96

11
Teach me your way, O LORD,and I will walk in your truth; *knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.
12
I will thank you, O LORD my God, with all my heart, *and glorify your Name for evermore.
13
For great is your love toward me; *you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit.

For Travelers

God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel, in particular (name); surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 96 Cantate Domino

1 Sing to the LORD a new song; *sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.
2 Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations *and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *he is more to be feared than all gods.

5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!

7 Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *ascribe to the LORD honor and power.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *bring offerings and come into his courts.

9 Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *let the whole earth tremble before him.
10 Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King! *he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;he will judge the peoples with equity."

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joybefore the LORD when he comes, *when he comes to judge the earth.

13 He will judge the world with righteousness *and the peoples with his truth.

For the Clergy and People

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh everygood and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, ando ther clergy, and upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace: and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thyblessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.



Pray for Emmanuel, Robert, Charles, Philip, Stanly, and Craig.