Prayers, Part 4: An Intercession

In intercession, we seek the grace and favor and help of God on behalf of others. As with the other prayers in this series (all composed for seminary assignments), this one is meant for use in public worship, and therefore it intends to cover the following five areas:

1.  Church
2.  Ministry
3.  All people
4.  Civil authority
5. Special needs / particular trials within the congregation

Also as with the others (and as was required for the assignment), it is heavily based on the Scriptures and made up almost entirely of Scriptural phrases, references, and quotations -- because, again, it's an excellent way to unite our desires and requests with the will of God, and ask Him for those things He delights to give. Pray with me, if you would:

An Intercession

Holy and life-giving Father, Lord of light and life

Giver of every good and perfect gift,

God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ

Our great High Priest

Who ever lives to make intercession for us before Your throne

Hear our requests in His name
As we join in His intercession

And for His sake give ear to our plea:

For Your holy church, the bride of Your beloved Son

That she would be purified in every way

Cleansed of every stain and wrinkle
A bright mirror of Your glory

To light this darkened world
That she would be healed of every division and disease
Her members working in peace and unity
Of one mind and heart with each other

And of one spirit with You.

Praise to You, O God who purifies, heals, and unites!

For Your ministers and priests of every kind and in all places

That they would serve as Christ, our great High Priest

In earnest love, faithful devotion, and blameless life

Filled with the joy of Your Holy Spirit

Who alone empowers for such work.

Praise to You, O God of love, and faithfulness, and strength!

For all peoples everywhere, made to bear Your image and know Your love

That they would turn to You, who desire none to perish

And find in Christ, Your son, all life

All truth, all peace, all forgiveness

And salvation from the enemy.

That they would be delivered from selfishness and pride

And would walk in peace and love.

Raise up the downtrodden, free the oppressed

And relieve the suffering.

Praise to You, O God who saves the lost, forgives the sinners, and raises the dead!

For all rulers and leaders, who do not bear the sword in vain

That they would be ministers of Your righteousness

Casting down the proud and unjust

Guarding the innocent and humble

And rewarding good.

That their ways and judgements will be just

So justice and peace may prevail upon the earth

And wickedness find no place of acceptance

But be destroyed.

Praise to You, O God of righteousness, justice, and judgement!

For our congregation here, together seeking Your grace

That we might grow together into Christ, who is our Head

Reaching the measure of the stature of His fullness

Together knowing His love which surpasses knowledge

In the unity of Your Holy Spirit.

That those who are in any particular need or distress

Would be strengthened by Your grace

Becoming steadfast through the testing of their faith

And be swiftly delivered by Your mercy.

Praise to You, O God of infinite and unfathomable love, grace, and mercy!

Praise, indeed, to You, gracious Father,

For You have promised to hear us when we call

To give ear when we pray according to Your will

And You are ever ready to give Your Spirit to those who ask.

We have sought You in the name of Your Son

By Whom we are able to confidently approach Your throne

And therefore we give You thanks for the reconciliation

That He has wrought for us with You

So that we might call to You in faith

Knowing that You love us

And so will hear.

Hear us, therefore, we pray, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit

One God, now and forever. Amen.

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In case it may be helpful to anyone, here are the question and answers from the beginning of this assignment:

1. What are the theological foundations for intercessory prayer in public worship?

1. First is the central Christian teaching on the character and nature of God: as Trinity, God is not isolated, apathetic, or closed off to us. He is love in the living dynamism of community, a community that is not merely reciprocal but also outward-reaching; He offers Himself to us and for us and calls us to Himself. Since He cares about and for us, He hears our prayers and is moved by our requests.
2. Second is the doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ, whose earthly ministry to us and heavenly ministry of intercession for we who have by His condescension become His brothers is continued and participated in by the church’s prayers of intercession in His name and as His body.
3. Third is the doctrine of the Church, which is the body of Christ and a living community of fellowship and love in the bond of the Holy Spirit, whose work of healing, helping, upbuilding, uniting, and so on we participate in by interceding for one another and for others. The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ and makes manifest His life in us, which includes making us participants in His work -- including that of intercession. Further, intercessory prayer for one another unites us in love and encouragement with each other, which is again a work of God in which we participate.

God bless and keep you all in His love, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Amen.