Watch Over All Your People

Gracious God and Father,
watch over all your people,
those who struggle with doubts,
those who struggle with the labors of life,
those who sometimes struggle as they seek you.
Calm our hearts with your Word,
and with your dear Son’s promise,
“I will give you rest.”
Pour out your abundant blessings on us,
give us the assurance of your love in Jesus Christ.
Give us confidence as we face the challenges ahead.
Give us health of body and spirit,
and blessings in all things;
through your Son who gave himself for us
so that we could be his,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, April 27, 2024, from an online request.

Us / we may be substituted with a name or names, him / her or they / them.

Our True Rest

Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
reveal your glory to us
in our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that we may lay
our sin and guilt
and all the burdens of life
on him,
and find in him
our true rest;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, © 2019 from Now and Forever: New Collects for Modern Lectionaries, Collect for Proper 9 / Pentecost 7, Year A, based on Matthew 11:25–30.

 

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects