Litany of Intercession

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

God, your ears are open to our prayers,
graciously help those for whom we pray.

Christ, hear us.

From all evil,
from all sin,
from all plots and assaults of the devil,
from the temptations and desires of the flesh,
from loneliness and despair,
from carelessness and neglect of duty,
from loss of courage and devotion,
from making a shipwreck of their faith,
from falling away from you, good Lord, deliver them.

By your coming to save humanity,
by your selfless service,
by your love for the weary and burdened,
by your healing touch for the sick,
by your invitation to all,
by your welcome to the sinner,
by your cross and passion,
by your victory,
by the might of your salvation, help them, good Lord.

Lover of humanity,
in all their trouble,
in all their needs,
in their last hour,
and in the day of judgment, help them, good Lord.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.

To grant them your guidance and protection,
to keep them pure in thought, word and action,
to guard their lives and souls,
to make them victorious soldiers of the cross,
to hold them steadfast in their allegiance to our country,
to be their protection in danger,
to be their refreshment in hardship,
to be their comfort in suffering,
to be their companion in weary and lonely hours,
to make them gentle and lovers of their neighbors,
and in the hours of trial, keep them in the palm of your hand,
we humbly pray, hear us good Lord.

To preserve our country at all times, in times of peril, peace or prosperity,
to direct and protect our president, his counsellors and all in authority,
to foster in our hearts reverence for the law of the land,
to uphold our armed forces,
to grant victory to every righteous cause for which our nation is contending,
to unite our nation as one in loyalty and faithful devotion,
to turn all humanity to your cross,
and to fill all hearts with love for you,
we humbly pray, hear us good Lord.

To see and protect all who are in danger, need and trouble,
to protect all who travel by land, sea or air,
to comfort and heal the wounded,
to alleviate and shorten the pains of the dying,
to free the captives,
to protect and provide for the orphans and widows,
to overthrow humanity’s inhumanity,
to bless and strengthen all who serve their neighbors,
and to have mercy on all people,
we humbly pray, hear us good Lord.

To forgive our enemies,
to turn their hearts that they may cease their enmity,
to turn their hearts and ours that we may walk together in humility and peace,
to quickly restore just and lasting peace to all nations,
and to graciously hear our prayers,
we humbly pray, hear us good Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we pray, hear us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace.

O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. 

Our Father…

Let us humble ourselves before God and implore the Father Almighty,
he graciously hears all who call on him, and does not forsake those who trust in him.

How great is your compassion, Lord. You protect the captives, you pity the wretched and afflicted, you are patient with sinners, you comfort those who wander, you lift up the oppressed, and you hear those who pray. Give to those who have not. Forgive the sinners. Convert people that they call on your name. Holy and merciful God, move our hearts to mercy, just as you have showered mercy on us, and hear our prayers through the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Let us bring our brothers and sisters who are in need before the throne of mercy.
May God, whose love never fails, grant them his blessing.

Lord, look down from heaven, see, visit, and relieve your servants, for whom our we pray. Look on them with mercy. Give them comfort and confidence in you. Preserve them from the temptations of the enemy, and keep them in constant peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Let us pray that our Lord, the Prince of Peace, may establish his reign in every heart.
Let his kingdom come and his will be done.

Eternal Father, by sending your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, you proclaimed peace to the world, and by shedding his blood on the cross, he opened the way for all humanity to find peace with you. Hold the cross high that every eye may see. Kindle every heart with your Spirit that all may follow Christ’s example and be zealous to serve you, that peace may fill every heart and govern the nations of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: 16th century Kirchenordnung, the Church Book, in Oremus, 1925, ed. by Paul Zeller Strodach, freeely modified.