Merciful God, You are good. You are our Great Physician, our Healer, and our Comforter.
We ask for your guidance and blessing on our Stephen Ministry. May this caregiving ministry touch the lives and hearts of people within and outside of our congregation. Help us to serve one another, reach out to those who are hurting, and care as you taught us.
Dear Lord, We pray for our Stephen Leaders, that they may be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Guide their leadership, and be with them through the joys and challenges of their ministry.
Dear Lord, You called Stephen Ministers to bring your compassionate care to those who are burdened. We pray for our Stephen Ministers as they serve by listening, loving, caring, and supporting. Reveal to them your presence as they care and serve. Help them to rely on your promises and to turn back to you for strength.
Dear God, in the midst of everyday troubles we can sometimes lose sight of the promise of our salvation in you. There are those in our midst who carry heavy burdens. Help us to remember them in our prayers and lift them up to you. We pray that each of us, during difficult times in our lives, will recognize our need to receive care from others and be willing to accept your care through our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us to encourage those who are especially burdened to turn to our pastor and Stephen Leaders who can help them receive the one-on-one care they need.
And whatever we do, in word or in deed, we do it all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God our Father through him. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen