Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What images come to mind when you hear the words “Prayers of the People?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33.

Absalom, King David's son, resented his father after his sister, Tamar, was wronged by their half-brother, Amnon. Absalom avenged Tamar by killing Amnon and then fled. He returned to Jerusalem after a few years but remained estranged from David (2 Samuel 13-17). Over time, Absalom began to win the hearts of the people of Israel and declared himself king in Hebron, leading a rebellion against David. David and his loyal followers were forced to flee Jerusalem to escape Absalom’s growing forces. Amid this turmoil, Hushai, a friend of David, infiltrated Absalom's court, giving him strategic advice that delayed Absalom’s plans, allowing David time to regroup and prepare for the impending conflict.

What were King David’s instructions to his commanders regarding Absalom? ["Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 13:5).]
What happened to Absalom during the battle? [“Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on” (18:9b).
How did Joab and his men respond when they found Absalom hanging in the tree? [Despite David’s instructions to be gentle with Absalom, Joab and his men killed him.]
What do David’s instructions to his commanders and his reaction to Absalom’s death reveal about his character? [David’s instructions to be gentle with Absalom show his deep love and concern for his son, despite Absalom’s rebellion. His intense grief upon hearing of Absalom’s death reveals his profound emotional bond and sense of loss, demonstrating his compassionate and fatherly nature, even toward a son who had caused him great trouble.]
“The prayers of the people invite us to respond to the complicated and often unknown challenges facing our neighbors in the pews, down the street, and around the world. Few simple solutions exist to the complex problems that plague our lives, whether we’re talking about war among nations, conflicts within families, or battles being waged in individual hearts. Whether our neighborhoods are hungry for food, a living wage, or unconditional love, we must grapple with the problems. And yet, no matter the enormity of the challenges we face, grace abounds again and again. The prayers of the people remind us that when we don’t know what to do or we are afraid to acknowledge the suffering around us, we begin with prayer; and not just individual prayer—corporate prayer. We don’t have to know the details of our neighbors’ struggles to gather together and offer one another grace through prayer.” (Worship Note of August 11)
What does the phrase “prayers of the people” mean to you?
Talk about a time when you or your community faced a difficult challenge and turned to corporate prayer for guidance and support.
Whom do you feel you need to pray for this week?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Pray the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - The following or another litany of intercession (see umcdiscipleship.org/book-of-worship/an-order-for-morning-praise-and-prayer) may be prayed, during which any person may offer a brief prayer of intercession or petition. After each prayer, the leader may conclude: “Lord, in your mercy,” and all may respond: “Hear our prayer.”

Together, let us pray
for the people of this congregation...
for those who suffer and those in trouble...
for the concerns of this local community...
for the world, its peoples, and its leaders...
for the earth you have given to our care…
for the Church universal—its leaders, its members, and its mission...
in communion with the saints….

You may conclude the prayer with the Lord’s Prayer.

Discipleship Ministries staff created this resource with assistance from AI tools.