Collects and Prayers - February 7, 2010 - The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Greeting
Leader: Friends, we gather together, united in Christ.
People: As members of his body, we are one.
Leader: We come together to build a community of love;
People: We strive to befriend our neighbors according to Christ's example.
Leader: Let us use our heads, hearts, and hands to build God's Kingdom
People: So others may know the depth of God's love.

Collect
Almighty God, you graciously gave us your only Son in a perfect act of love. Through his sacrifice, you have extended your arms in relationship to people of all colors and creeds. Help us model your Son's example, offering love, peace, and friendship to all those around us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayers of the People
God graciously gave us his only son, Jesus Christ,
the perfect friend and loving companion to all.
He opens his arms without discrimination, offering warmth to all those seeking comfort.
Therefore, let us pray in his name for all friends, known and unknown in our church, neighborhoods, and world.

I will end each petition by saying "Loving God,"
Please respond by saying "Hear our Prayer."

For our friends in the church...
Help us walk hand in hand, united together as the body of Christ, directed by the Holy Spirit, modeling Jesus Christ's example of unconditional love, forgiveness and grace with all those we worship with here at All Saints' and beyond. Unite us, we pray, so that through our relationship with you and friendships with each other, the church can be a place where true friendship is found.
Loving God,
Hear our Prayer.

For our friends in our neighborhoods...
Forgive us for neglecting the needs of those so close to us, for hiding inside the comforts of our homes, instead of stepping outside our comfort zones to serve our neighbors. We pray for our neighbors - that friendships would blossom, and bonds strengthen, all so you are glorified and our neighbors experience the depth of your love through our hands.
Loving God,
Hear our Prayer.

For our friends at work and school....
We pray for all those we come in contact with in the course of our daily lives. Help us love them with grace and compassion, and use every interaction with them as an opportunity to share your love. Help us respect everyone in our workplace - our friends, bosses, colleagues, peers, teachers - and even those whom we find difficult to love. Strengthen our relationships, help us be loving friends, so that all may taste Christian friendship through us.

Loving God,
Hear our Prayer.

For our friends in the world...
We pray for all our brothers and sisters around the world, that your love is known to them all. We pray especially for our friends in Haiti. Even those whose names are unknown to us are known by God. We pray that you would continue to rebuild their lives and restore their hope in the midst of devastation.
Loving God,
Hear our Prayer.

Loving God, we thank you for hearing these prayers for our friends. We place all these petitions in the hands of your son Jesus Christ - the great friend and perfect comforter to all.
Amen.