Prayers for Cities, Neighborhoods, Communities, and Those Who Serve Them

After the Book of Common Worship (1993), of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):

O Lord, by your holy prophets you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived.  We commend our neighborhood to your care, that it might be kept free from social strife and decay.  Give us strength of purpose and concern for others, that we may create here a community of justice and peace where your will may be done; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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For Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

God of our daily lives:

We pray for the people of the cities of this world, working and without work; homeless and well housed; fulfilled or frustrated; confused and cluttered with material goods, or scraping a living from others’ leavings; angrily scrawling on walls, or reading the writing on the wall; lonely or living in community; finding their own space and respecting the space of others.

We pray for our sisters and brothers, mourning and celebrating.

May we share in their suffering and hope.

Amen.

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From Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Hear our prayer, compassionate God, for all whose lives are impoverished and beset by the problems of our inner cities.

Guide those in local and central government, the planners, the administrators, the decision makers; may the see the welfare of its citizens as the city’s highest good.

Raise up in such areas men and women of integrity and energy as leaders, ministers, and teachers; in industry and commerce, in health and social services, in the police and in all the work of community and industrial relations.

And this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake.  Amen.

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From Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

We thank you, creative God, for those whose work sustains our nation and this community in which we live; for all who create the wealth by which we trade, for those who grow and provide our food, or who in industry, commerce, and transport bring it to our homes.

We thank you for those who, day and night, maintain the public services; for the police, for those who respond to emergencies, and for all whose work is in health or healing or social care.

Teach us to remember that all our lives depend upon the work of many minds and hands; and we pray that we may live thankfully and in unity as members of one human family; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Language modernized and some punctuation altered from The Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965), of The Methodist Church:

Bless, O God, all the members of this our family and household, especially those who are absent from us.  Guard and preserve them in their going out and their coming in; keep them free from sin and safe from danger; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

OR

You are present in every place, and neither space nor distance can separate us from your love.  Give us to know that those, who are absent from each other are still present with you; and grant that, though separated, we may realize our communion with one another in the fellowship of your service, here and always; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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Language modernized and some punctuation altered from The Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965), of The Methodist Church:

O God, you are the strength and the protector of your people.  We humbly place in your hands the member of this family who is today about to leave us and enter a new sphere of life and work.  Keep and preserve him or her, O Lord, as it seems best to your divine wisdom and love, in all health and safety, both of body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

OR

We humbly commend to your care, O Lord, your servant about to leave this house and family, beseeching you that your grace and mercy may never fail him or her.  Succor him or her in temptation, preserve him or her in danger, and assist him or her in every good work, and further him or her continually in the right way.  Grant, we beseech you, your presence with us while we are absent one from another.  May our nearness to you make and keep us always aware of our nearness to one another.  In Jesus’ name and for his sake, we pray.  Amen.

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Language modernized and some punctuation altered from The Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965), of The Methodist Church:

O God, you set the solitary in families.  We pray for all who are without children or kin.  Relate them in life with those who need their strength and love, and make them one in the fellowship of the Spirit, in the Church of your dear Son.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth.  From everlasting you are God, and our dwelling place in all generations.  You are the source of holy wisdom, and the fountain of all truth.  We give thanks to you for the elders among us.  We are graced by their wisdom and seasoning.  We are touched by their knowledge and faith.  Bless them, O God, as they are a blessing to us.  Pour out your Spirit, that our elders may continue to dream dreams and testify to the Light of their salvation, Jesus Christ.  May we find inspiration in their years of faithfulness.  May we follow their example by serving you with steadfastness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Gracious God, none who trust in your Son can be separated from your love.  Give to those who live alone peace and contentment with their solitude, hope and fulfillment in their love of you, and joy and companionship in their relations with others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Triune God, whose will it is that humans live in community, bless family life everywhere and fill all homes with respect, joy, laughter, and prayer.  Strengthen the commitment of husbands and wives to one another, that they may mirror your covenant faithfulness; pour out your Spirit on parents, that through them their children may taste your unconditional love; and empower all family members to live in your grace and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Almighty God, with a mother’s love and a father’s care you have blessed us with the joy and responsibility of children.  As we bring them up, give us gracious love, calm strength, and patient wisdom, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

God of all good gifts,your Son gathered children into his arms and blessed them.  Help us to understand our youth as they grow in years and in knowledge of your world. Give us compassion when they face temptations and experience failures.  Teach us to encourage their search with their frustrations; that with them we may look for a better world than either we or they have known; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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From Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Everloving God, we bring to you in our prayers all whom we love, knowing that your love for them is so much greater than ours, and that your will for them is all that is for their good.  So, guard them in your keeping, O Lord, and give them now and always your richest blessing; for Jesus sake.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Merciful God, your healing power is everywhere about us.  Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in all they do.  Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails.  Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying.  May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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From Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

God of earth and air, water and fire, height and depth, we pray for those who work in danger, who rush to bring hope and help when others flee in safety, whose mission is to seek and save, serve and protect, and whose presence embodies the protection of the Good Shepherd.  Give them caution and concern for one another, so that in safety they may do what must be done, under your watchful eye.  Support them in their courage and dedication that they may continue to save lives, ease pain, and mend the torn fabric of lives and social order; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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From Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

We remember, O God, with gratitude those who use the gifts with which you have enriched their lives to benefit others:

those who promote and encourage art and music;

those through whose endowments knowledge is increased and made freely available:

those who enable charitable organizations to continue their works of mercy;

those who ensure that the churches maintain their witness and that the gospel is offered without price;

those who make it possible for people to explore the secrets of the universe and share with others the healing mysteries.

From those to whom much is given, much will be expected.

May they be wise in the use of their gifts, offering them humbly without hope of gain, or self-seeking, or desire for recognition.  Amen.

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From Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Eternal God, you hold the times and seasons, endings and beginnings, in your hands.  Bless N., who now enters a new time of life.  We give you thanks for tasks accomplished, for the joys and pains woven into the fabric of his/her years.  Give N. the guidance of your Holy Spirit.  May days no longer filled with old obligations be free for new activities and associations.  May fears and uncertainties about the future be transformed into quiet confidence.  May each day be received as a sacred trust and lived to your glory, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.