This congregational prayer includes scriptural responses taken from the book of Revelation. It would work well on Christ the King Sunday or any time the service is focused on Christ’s victory and reign. The headings are for the leader’s benefit and should not be spoken though they could be included on a projection slide.
Prayer for Creation
God whose splendor dwarfs the cosmos,
creator of the universe and of us,
we ask that you show your sustaining power over the world,
such that all creatures who look to you to give them their food,
the lilies that depend on you for their beauty,
and the earth which you bless with the turning seasons
might live to give glory to your worthy name
as they join with us in saying:
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.
—Revelation 4:11, NIV
Prayer for the Nations
King of kings and Lord of lords,
you sit enthroned over the nations of the earth,
bringing princes to ruin and lifting up the righteous.
Show your justice among the nations.
Be the prince of peace where there is war,
and be the good shepherd among the lost and vulnerable,
so that your glory might shine forth among the nations,
and they might join with us in saying:
Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations.
—Revelation 15:3, NIV
Prayer for our Government
Worthy lamb of God,
who alone we worship and to whom we offer allegiance,
keep this nation under your care.
Grant wisdom and righteousness to our leaders,
keep them from temptation,
and shape their hearts to desire the just governance
of our country, state, and county.
We look forward to the day
when we will dwell in your perfect kingdom and declare:
The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.
—Revelation 11:15, NIV
Prayers for the church
Faithful bridegroom,
your bride, the church awaits your return.
We pray this morning for her time of waiting,
her time as salt and light in a world in need of both,
and her time of suffering persecutions and hardships.
Bring her through her trials until she can in joy proclaim:
Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
—Revelation 19:6–7, NIV
Prayer for this congregation
God who promises to wipe every tear from our eyes,
be near to those in our congregation who are in need.
Comfort the sorrowing.
Be the healer for those living with any illness.
Bestow the grace of perseverance
to those who suffer from chronic or degenerating conditions.
Give peace to those who live in uncertainty of any kind.
And be a gentle shepherd to the vulnerable in body or spirit.
Bring us all to the time when we can together say:
He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes.
There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away.
—Revelation 21:3–4, NIV
Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.
