God of Grace and God of Glory,
you have poured your power on your people.
We pray now in your holy name, 
as generations have prayed before us,
for the joys and concerns of our days,
knowing that you care for great and small.   

We pray for creation, for the earth and all its wonders.
We pray with joy for the changing of the seasons,
the beauty of the leaves and cooler days. 
We pray for your mercy on those who battle the forces of nature,
for victims of hurricanes and earthquakes,
for those who cannot access clean water 
or find shelter from the elements.   

We pray for the life of the nations, ours included. 
We pray for leaders and those in power,
that they may use that power on behalf of the powerless,
seek tolerance and compromise,
listen for the wisdom of your guidance,
and exercise mutual respect.
We pray for an end to state-based violence,
that we might see our way to a different kind of future.   

We pray today for the church,
as it gathers in a million different forms. 
We pray for megachurches and house churches,
for congregations gathered in historic cathedrals
and in strip mall store fronts
for the church on every continent,
for Christians of every denomination and tradition,
for the deeply committed
and those on the brink of faith. 
We pray that in our diversity
all might find a home that fits them,
and that we might remember our ultimate unity in you
a unity born of your love,
and work towards reconciliation,
towards becoming your one church in the world,
your one body here on earth.   

We pray today for those who struggle today
because of illness, or grief,
lack of opportunity, or lack of resources,
abuse, oppression, malaise,
hopelessness or helplessness. 

We pray that you would show us
what spiritual gifts we might offer each one
that we might be mutually encouraged:
healing for the sick,
comfort for the grieving, 
love for the lonely
and support for the beaten-down,
food for the hungry
and faith for the lost. 
By your grace, soothe suffering,
and bring renewal in tired lives.   

We pray now for those close to our hearts:

[prayers of the congregation may be spoken here]

We lift all these and every other prayer to you, O God,
our rock and our redeemer.  

And now we pray as Jesus taught us, saying,  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.