Prayers for the People

"Prayers are tools not for doing or getting but for being and becoming" - Eugene Peterson

These are powerful prayers that reflect the times.

Prayer of Confession

Leader: Holy God, we confess that we have failed to stand with those crushed by systemic injustice. We have valued property and profits over the lives of people. Courts and public safety agencies enforce unequal justice. Struggling workers are displaced and pushed into homelessness. Public functions for the common good are privatized and deregulated. The cries of those who grieve are muffled. Victims are asked to forgive and reconcile even before their wounds can begin to heal. In its silence and inaction, the church is complicit in this unrighteousness. 

The People: In your mercy, Holy God, help us to confess and repent of these sins. Lead us to cry out with the prophets, until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Empower us to become repairers of the breach, able to join with the most vulnerable among us in making our communities livable again. In Jesus' holy name, we pray AMEN. 

Written by Rev Kamal Hassan M. Div
__________________________________________________________

Community Prayer 

Leader: God of life, you created the world and saw that it was good. Yet, because of our greed and consumption, we cut down jungles, we eliminate plants and animals. We are destroying the Earth. We pray for wisdom and strength/ Empower us by your Spirit to restore life for the dying creatures. In your mercy,

The People: Hear our prayer.

Leader: God of justice, you command us to establish justice for all. Yet, because of our self-centeredness and indifference, we let the gap between the rich and the poor widen; we do not have legal protection for the migrant workers; we ignore children living on the street; we feel helpless seeing young women and men trapped in human trafficking. We pray for wisdom and courage. Empower us by your Spirit to strive for justice and share your abundance. In your mercy,

The People: Hear our prayer.

Leader: God of peace, you command us to love one another and live in peace with our neighbors. Yet, because of our closed minds, prejudice, and suspicion of difference, we frequently choose violence and war, we discriminate against minorities and the marginalized, we suppress basic human rights, we contribute to conflict amongst ethnic and religious groups. We pray for wisdom and humility. Empower us by your Spirit to embrace one another and walk peacefully together. In your mercy,

The People: Hear our prayer.

Leader: Tender and compassionate God, sustain in our hearts the spirit of loving-kindness. Strengthen our work with neighbors of different creeds and beliefs, cultures, and ethnicities. Guide us as we bring healing to this Earth and all its creatures. Preserve in our heart's songs of peace and rhythms of justice. Oh, most high in your mercy,

The People: HEAR OUR PRAYER.


All passages are taken from the Book of Common Worship