Prayers of the People – February 22, 2009

With joyful hearts, O God, we gather together in a place called Covenant … mindful of the covenant you made with Abraham and Sarah, the covenant you renewed with Moses and the people in the wilderness; a covenant made strong in the voice of the prophets and the wisdom of David and Solomon – a covenant purified and made new in the blood Christ our LORD.

Mindful, O God, that Jesus lived his life for our sake, that we might know your goodness, your love and mercy, your forgiveness and acceptance – and by such knowledge, O God, to be liberated from the slavery of self-interest, to become servants of Christ – embodiments of his purpose, his passion, his grace and his goodness.

We pray, this morning, for our brothers and sisters at Westwood Presbyterian Church … may the flame of faith burn bright in their midst – may they rejoice in the love of Christ their LORD and bear eager witness to his name.

We pray today for our Presbytery and its leadership … for our Synod and its churches, for our General Assembly and its Moderator, the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow … and for our seminaries and colleges, for our children’s homes and retirement homes.

We pray, O God, for the Church of Jesus Christ around the world – in so many different shapes and forms – music of every kind and buildings grand and buildings not so grand – but all of them, your people - trying their best, working hard at it, sometimes stumbling, sometimes succeeding, but always with an eye on Christ, encouraged by his Spirit.

We pray, O God, for the welfare of our land – for President Obama, for Congress and the Courts – for the governors and mayors of the land – guide them, and guard them, we pray.

We pray for our soldiers, especially for those in harms way. We are keenly mindful of our colleague, Chaplain Ed Brandt in Iraq.

Strengthen us this day, O God, with fresh resolve to be a light to the nations and the salt of the earth … to embody Christ in word and deed.

In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name …