Intercessions

I belong to a women's order called the Daughters of the King (DOK). Our main purpose is to help our clergy with the work of the church, so the tasks may differ by congregation. One thing we do in the St. Julian's chapter is pray regularly for the members of our congregation. We divide up the roster and rotate the lists every 3 months such that each of us gets to pray for everyone over the year and every member is lifted up by us as well as our priests. I have not had an easy time with this commitment even though I am experienced at intercessory prayer.  I can easily pray for someone I know to be struggling (one member on my current list was in a serious car accident; another is recovering from covid).  But I find that I cannot simply read my list to God.  God knows better than I do what each person needs, so may appreciate my efforts, but I find it a dry, unsatisfying way to pray. So I asked the Holy Spirit for help (why do I so often turn to this when I'm exasperated and not earlier?).

The answer I got was this: choose 3 people in the morning when you set your intentions for the day. Lift them into God's light throughout the day as they come to mind. Ask God to provide for their needs in whatever way is best for them. 

I often group things into 3s - probably influenced by a lifetime in a Trinitarian tradition - so this seems to be working. Thanks for the help!

God of grace and peace, help me to be diligent in my prayers. Bring people to my mind who need to be lifted up for Your gracious mercy. Soften my heart toward anyone I hold at a distance. As you do what I ask for others, grow me into the child of God you created me to be.

Amen