These prayers of the people are based off Jesus’ sermon on the mount from the Gospel of Matthew.

Precious Jesus, Lord, Savior, Teacher,
hear us as we pray,
and as we plead,

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
We pray for those who live in poverty
who go without the necessities of life,
like food, shelter, safety, hope.
Grant them the kingdom they should have,
through our efforts to give and serve.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
We pray for the grieving,
those who have lost loved ones,
or dreams, or plans for the future.
Hold them gently, we pray,
speak comfort to them,
to us,
and through us.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
We pray for the powerless,
for those who go unseen and unheard,
for those trapped in systems of oppression and violence,
which they cannot escape.
Fill them with your promise of liberation,
and strength in a new world.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
We pray for those who work for your kingdom,
for clergy, counselors, activists, artists,
politicians, teachers, parents, mentors.
We pray for those who sacrifice comfort and popularity,
in order to follow your call.
Fill them with your power and peace,
and guide us in their example.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
We pray for those with power,
who can choose mercy or silence or revenge.
Guide leaders in every place,
into the way of your servant love,
which submitted itself to death,
rather than gain vengeance.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
We pray for the pure in heart today,
for those gifted with joyful and loving spirits,
for those who easily see the face of God in their neighbors.
Protect and nurture them,
and help us to learn from their example.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
We pray for all who seek to bring peace to this fractured world,
bridge-builders and mediators,
those who seek reconciliation
rather than shows of force.
Multiply them, until the whole world knows,
what it is like to live without fear.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
We pray for those who are shamed, slandered,
imprisoned or executed,
for following your will and heeding your call.
We pray for those around the world
who do not worship in safety
and those who try to do what’s right
despite the odds.
Teach us to prefer righteousness to comfort,
that we might see a world renewed.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world,
precious, elemental, fragile, crucial.
Teach us to be your light in the world,
driving out the shadows of despair and hurt,
and lighting the way to your loving arms.

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

Jesus, you taught us how to pray,
and listened to everyone who came to you,
with whatever pain or joy they had to share.
We lift to you now the concerns of the day…

For these and all other concerns of our hearts, we say

Lord, in your mercy.
hear our prayer.

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.