A Prayer

Loving God,

We come to You on this day as people with questions, with heartache, and longing for peace and justice - in our lives and in the life of this world.

We come to You with conviction, remembering that You have named us to be people of redemption, reconciliation, and healing - yes, in our lives and in the life of this world.

In Your Name, and in the truth of who You have named us to be, we pray for our congregation, our city, and the peoples of all nations - that Your will may be done and that Your reign of love might be made known.

We pray for those who are experiencing illness, those who need healing touch. May we turn toward those who struggle and be a part of the prayers we make today.

We pray for those who are in throes of addiction, those who feel out of control. May we give grace and vision to those who struggle and be a part of the prayers we make today.

We pray for those who are at war, those who live in violence and fear. May we envision peace and justice for those who struggle and be a part of the prayers we make today.

We pray for those who are depressed, those who have lost their ability to smile. May we express love and hope on behalf of those who struggle and be a part of the prayers we make today.

We pray for those who are impoverished, those who may not know where to get their next meal. May we use our resources toward those who struggle and be a part of the prayers we make today.

We pray for those who mourn, those who have lost persons or a way of life. May we provide comfort toward those who struggle and be a part of the prayers we make today.

We pray for people in places that are dealing with turmoil and pain. . .

For Egypt. . .
For Tunisia. . .
For Brazil. . .
For Pakistan. . .
For Iraq. . .
For Afghanistan. . .

for all people everywhere who need Your peace and healing. . .

We give You praise, O God, that You are peace and healing in our world. And remembering Jesus, who embodied peace and healing, we pray the prayer that he taught us, saying. . .

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.
Amen.