Prayers of the People

Gracious God,

On this day of worship, we come before You knowing that You hold us fast in love and call us to be a praying people. In light of that calling, help us to bring our fullest selves before You now, that we might voice our prayers, be mindful of the needs of others, and add our concerns to Your concerns for this world.

The needs of Your creation are before us. We see climates rising, environments shifting, and resources for people and animals unevenly distributed. Help us to be stewards of the creation You have made. Help us to be people of Your image who live in a posture of care toward all that You have created, that life may flourish and all the gifts You have provided may be received with gratitude.

The needs of our city are before us. We see growing disparities between the rich and the poor, budgets being slashed because of ongoing deficits, and desires for basic necessities growing stronger each day. Help us to to be stewards of this city that You love. Help us to be people of your image who live in a posture of advocacy toward Pasadena, that understanding may grow between all people and that we might share from our gifts with gratitude.

The needs of our nation are before us. We see talking points that seek to win rather than heal, economic downturn that improves but slowly, and racial inequities that continue despite much of the progress that has been made. Help us to be faithful disciples that seek compassion and justice. Help us to be people of Your image who live in a posture of hope, that service toward others may abound and that we might share gratitude for the gifts that all people bring.

The needs of our world are before us. We see political turmoil in Tunisia, floods that are devastating Brazil, confusion for the future of Haiti, and gun violence in schools, even close to us this week at Gardenia High School. Help us to love others in their pain. Help us to be people of Your image who live in a posture of healing for this world, that peace may reign and that the devastated my find hope in Your love and care - gifts we all need, gifts for which we all give gratitude.

The needs of the human family are before us.

We pray for the desperately hungry, that they might have the food they need - and that some may receive food in this church this morning.

We pray for the sick, that they might have healing in all its many forms - and that some may receive support from the kindness of a family of faith, right here, this morning.

We pray for the persons who may sleep on our patio this week - that they may find temporary shelter and continual hospitality, right here, even this morning.

We pray for the lonely, that they might be swept up in a community that loves them - and that this might take place right before us, this morning.

We pray all these things in Your name, O God.

And now, as people of Your image, as Your very own children, we pray the prayer that Jesus 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, the power, and the glory forever.

Amen.

-A Prayer of Pasadena Presbyterian Church