The prayers that follow are for Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday, as well as a Litany for Mother's Day:

Litany A

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you! (Psalm

122.6) Let us pray to God, the Holy Spirit, saying;

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

Come, Holy Spirit: hear us as we pray for the Church here and

everywhere. For our Bishops and leaders, for our Clergy and teachers,

for the Anglican Communion around the world and, particularly today,

for the church in Jerusalem, for Archbishop Hosam Naoum, and the

Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Bishop Ibrahim Azar and the Synod

of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and The Holy land, that

all may proclaim your word of peace and reconciliation.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

Come, Holy Spirit: hear us as we pray for justice and peace on earth. For

leaders of this country of Canada and for leaders of all nations,

particularly remembering today Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and

Lebanon. May peace and harmony abundantly bless these achingly

beautiful and historic places of your Creation, O God.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

Come, Holy Spirit: hear us as we pray for the holy city of Jerusalem.

Bring to those who lead Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities a

spirit of cooperation and collaboration as this ancient and blessed city

continues to be ‘holy’ for us all.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

Come, Holy Spirit, be with all those in need. We pray for victims of war

and violence, for refugees and captives, for all who are afflicted or

oppressed, that they may be held in your healing power. We pray

especially for the children in your Holy Land who have experienced

tremendous loss—loss of friends, loved ones, family members, siblings,

parents. We pray for those who have died . . . that they may live

eternally in God’s presence, and for those who mourn, that they may be

comforted.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come

(add other local biddings)

Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in

your mercy, through Jesus Christ our risen and ascended Lord. Amen.

LITANY FOR MOTHERS DAY

To those who become mothers through adoption –

            we rejoice with you.

To those who are pregnant and those who have given birth –

            we celebrate with you.

To those who know the ache of losing a child –

            we mourn with you.

To those in the trenches with little ones every day, wearing the badge of food stains –

            we appreciate you.

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, still birth, or failed adoptions –

            we mourn with you.

To those who are fraught with infertility’s pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment –

            we walk with you.  Forgive us when we say foolish things.

            We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, grandmoms, and godmoms –

            we need you.

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children –

            we celebrate with you.

To those who have disappointment, friction, or distance with your children –

            we sit with you.

To those who have lost their mothers –

            we grieve with you.

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother –

            we acknowledge your painful experience.

To those who are tested by motherhood and milestones –

            we are better for having you in our midst.

To those who have aborted children –

            we remember them and you on this day.

To those who mother by loving nieces and nephews, students and neighbors –

            we give you thanks for your nurturing.

To those who wish children had been part of the plan –

            we mourn that absence with you.

To those who step-parent –

            we walk with you on these complex paths.

To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be –

            we grieve with you.

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year –

            we pray for your transition.

To all those who love fiercely and completely –

            we are grateful for God’s compassion and love shining through you.

Almighty God, with a mother’s love you sent your son Jesus Christ to care for all the world and demonstrate what it means to be in right relationship with each other.  Work within us and through us that we might love and care for each other and all creation.  In Jesus’ name we pray.   Amen