Pastoral Prayer
Holy One, you came and spoke peace to your followers as they sat together behind a locked door, nursing the wounds of how they had failed you in your hour of need, jumping at every unexpected sound, frightened that the killing might not yet be finished. True, Mary had told them of your resurrection, but fear held fast to their hearts, and the lock remained in place. A week later, and still they sat, still the door was barred, still they trembled, and yet again, you came and spoke peace to their wounded, cowering souls. Speak peace to our hearts as well. The immensity of the suffering throughout the world and around our country takes our breath away and leaves us in shock. Hospitals full to overflowing, ventilators in short supply and medical personnel working long hours and unable to go home to their families, as hot spots move from Seattle to New York to New Orleans to Chicago to Los Angeles to a pork plant in South Dakota. Unemployment numbers sky rocket and lines of those waiting for a morsel of food stretch further than the eye can see. We sit in our homes and look toward the door, longing to cut and run, while others scurry to stay out of arm’s reach of the abuser who shares their home, while others had their homes picked up and shattered by a tornado’s violence while others simply have no home in which to seek shelter. We worry about how to pay bills and where to get help and who will heal our wounds and what will come of our dreams. Come among us yet again and speak your peace. Help us to release our fears into your loving care, and to replace them with your love, a love that never gives up and never gives in, a love that knows no limits and has no expiration date, but that promises to stay by our side – always. A love that has defeated death and refuses to take no for an answer.
We ask your love for all those who suffer, who put themselves at risk in order to care for others, and yes, even for those who inflict pain without giving it a second thought. You alone know the needs of our hearts and lives, and so we look to you for healing and holding, for feeding and protecting, for rest and shelter, for wisdom and guidance. Guide us through this pandemic, and through all of the other trials and temptations that travel with us in these days. By your mercy, help us to be your faithful people, living your love, reflecting your light, walking in your ways, seeking your peace.
Hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken… And hear us as we pray together the prayer that Jesus taught, saying: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.
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