PASTORAL PRAYER
Holy God, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the pain and suffering in the world and in our lives, and some days it’s a struggle to not give in to that. Each of us carries with us the hurts and fears, wounds and weariness of our lives as well of those we love. These days, everywhere we look, we see and hear reminders of the unthinkable suffering of countless people in our community, country and world. People who are sick and dying, at risk of infection and heartbroken by the death of a loved one; people who are out of work and out of money, out of food and out of hope; first responders and medical personnel who labor and serve frantically to care for others and essential workers who fill grocery shelves and wipe down gas pumps, pack boxes and drive trucks; farmers who dump milk and plow under produce because of an evaporating market and meat handlers compelled to return to work to feed the rest of us. The list is long, the wounds are deep, the suffering is great. We bring all of it to you, and seek your healing and holding, your warming embrace and sheltering love.
We also pray, great and gracious God, for your wisdom. Wisdom for those who seek a vaccine and treatment possibilities. Wisdom for those who make decisions and establish the protocols and phases that will bring us through this pandemic. Wisdom for business owners and employees, and for those faced with the decision about when, where and how to leave our homes. Wisdom that will help us hold each other’s needs alongside our own, to set impatience and anger aside in order to drink deeply of the overflowing kindness you lavish upon us, and then look for ways to share the bounty of our kindness with others. Infuse and bless us with your flourishing abundance, that together with you and each other we might imagine new possibilities and creative courses through the challenging days before us.
Our hearts overflow with gratitude to you for the generous, faithful ways you accompany us through COVID-19, and all of the days of our lives. By your grace, may we walk as your people, trusting your promises, reflecting your light, sharing your love, living your way. Hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken. And hear us as we join together in the prayer 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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