Prayer of the Day

O God of peace, you brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep. By the blood of your eternal covenant, make us complete in everything good that we may do your will, and work among us all that is well-pleasing in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

God of resurrection and new life, we come before you in prayer for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

Gracious God, you guide your people to the waters of life. Pour out your Spirit on all those who lead in your church – especially on Robert Francis (now Leo XIV) Make your church a nourishing place for all who are thirsty for hope and healing. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You tend to the earth, sustaining life in all places. Revive fragile ecosystems and restore species in danger of extinction. Teach us new ways of living in balance and harmony with our non-human neighbors. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You lead all peoples along right pathways. Grant wisdom and compassion to judges, lawyers, mediators, and legal advocates. Dismantle systems of mass incarceration, empower processes of restorative justice, and encourage all who strive for healing in our communities. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You wipe the tears from every eye. Tend to all who struggle with anxiety or depression, loneliness, or despair.  Comfort all those who mourn. Enfold all who are in any need in your shepherding care (especially those we name either silently or aloud…). Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

You are the source of everlasting life. In deep gratitude for all your saints (especially), we rejoice in the joy and hope of the resurrection made known to us in Jesus, your beloved child. Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

We commend these and all our prayers to you, O God, trusting that you are always with us; in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior.

Amen.

Adapted from sundaysandseasons.com 2025

LITANY FOR MOTHERS DAY

To those who become mothers through adoption –

            we rejoice with you.

To those who are pregnant and those who have given birth –

            we celebrate with you.

To those who know the ache of losing a child –

            we mourn with you.

To those in the trenches with little ones every day, wearing the badge of food stains –

            we appreciate you.

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, still birth, or failed adoptions –

            we mourn with you.

To those who are fraught with infertility’s pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment –

            we walk with you.  Forgive us when we say foolish things.

            We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, grandmoms, and godmoms –

            we need you.

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children –

            we celebrate with you.

To those who have disappointment, friction, or distance with your children –

            we sit with you.

To those who have lost their mothers –

            we grieve with you.

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother –

            we acknowledge your painful experience.

To those who are tested by motherhood and milestones –

            we are better for having you in our midst.

To those who have aborted children –

            we remember them and you on this day.

To those who mother by loving nieces and nephews, students and neighbors –

            we give you thanks for your nurturing.

To those who wish children had been part of the plan –

            we mourn that absence with you.

To those who step-parent –

            we walk with you on these complex paths.

To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be –

            we grieve with you.

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year –

            we pray for your transition.

To all those who love fiercely and completely –

            we are grateful for God’s compassion and love shining through you.

Almighty God, with a mother’s love you sent your son Jesus Christ to care for all the world and demonstrate what it means to be in right relationship with each other.  Work within us and through us that we might love and care for each other and all creation.  In Jesus’ name we pray.   Amen