Prayer of Intercession Using Mark 5:21-43

Note: the liturgy connected to this sermon’s day is found here

The sermon from the text is here.

Prayer of Intercession for Mark 5:21-43

Gracious and loving God,

We come before you today with hearts full of gratitude for your boundless grace and mercy revealed to us by Jesus through your word. Like Jairus and the woman, we too come to you with our own needs and desires.

We lift up to you all those who are in desperate situations, like Jairus, whose loved ones are facing illness or crisis. Comfort them in their distress, O Lord, and grant them the assurance of your presence and healing touch. Hear us now as we pray.

We also pray for those who, like the woman, feel marginalized, isolated, or burdened by circumstances beyond their control. Heal their wounds, restore their dignity, and bring them into community where they can find acceptance, support, and companionship. Hear us now as we pray.

Like the synagogue community that welcomed back Jairus’ daughter and the woman who had suffered for twelve years, we embrace those who return to us. We thank you for the profound ways you knit us together in moments of joy and sorrow. Hear us now as we pray.

Lord Jesus, you called the woman “Daughter” and affirmed her faith. May we, too, hear your voice calling us beloved children, regardless of our circumstances or past. Strengthen our faith, that we may act boldly and trust in your promises, knowing that you are always near to those who call upon you. Hear us now as we pray.

As we go forward with our day and our week, may this text continue to live within us. Please work in us through your Spirit to recognize our own need for grace and to extend grace and thoughtfulness to others. Help us to be agents of healing and reconciliation in a broken world, following the example of your Son, our Lord, Jesus.

 We now make our prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus who taught us to pray,  “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.” Amen.