Archive for the ‘politics’ Category
June 21, 2020
Creative God, move us from chaos to reform throughout our systems – economic, political, healthcare, education, housing, and legal. All are in need of change.
Let us be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger that we might learn from each other. (James 1:19-21).
Give us courage, grace and compassion as we confront our failures. Save us from easy answers.
And then move us to sustained action. Channel our energy and help us to persevere, even as we weary from the effort.
Help us Lord, to be better than we are.
Amen
Tags:action, creating change, perseverance, reform, sustained action
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June 14, 2020
Lord, we know what to do for you have told us:
to love you and
to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39);
to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44);
to act justly, to love mercy, to follow with humility the path you set out (Micah 6:8);
to seek wisdom (Proverbs 3:11-24);
to do good and share with others (Hebrews 13:16);
to welcome the stranger and care for the poor (James 1:27, Zechariah 7:9-10);
to grow and bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-26).
But we have become polluted by the world (James 1:27),
aligned with those who divide (Romans 16:17),
entertained and misled by deceit and hypocrisy and slander (1 Peter 2:1),
entranced by the deceitfulness of wealth, and
overwhelmed by the demands of our daily lives (Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:14).
We have wandered from your ways.
Forgive us Lord.
Help us now to put our faith into action, and to build a better world.
Amen
Tags:forgiveness, humility, justice, love, mercy, moving forward, new way, partisan politics, politics, Prayer, United States, wisdom
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June 10, 2020
This prayer was submitted by a reader, Kay, from the heart; First Presbyterian Church Elder, Presbyterian Women Moderator
Dear God help us to listen to one another and to unite in our actions for the good of all.
Help us change our ways.
Each of us needs your spirit to light the way.
When we march lead us.
When we pray hear us.
When we cry give us comfort.
Protect us from the virus as we are drawn to demonstrate.
Lift this movement into action for a better future for us all, but especially for our black brothers and sisters who have struggled for so long.
Guide us to universal change that brings justice to all.
In the name of your Jesus we pray.
Amen
Tags:change, comfort, country, future, justice, listen, politics, Prayer, protest, USA
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June 7, 2020
Today’s prayer is an adaptation of Ps. 33:18-22 that appeared in The Book of Family Prayer by Robert Webber (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.)
Lord, we believe Your eye is upon those who fear You,
Those who have hope in You.
Lord, we wait upon you;
For You are our help and our shield.
Our hearts rejoice in You
Because we have trusted in your holy name.
Lord, let Your mercy be upon us
As we hope on You,
And send upon us
Your Holy Spirit, we pray.
Amen
Tags:country, future, grace, healing, help, hope, mercy, pray, Prayer, trust, United States, USA
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May 31, 2020
Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our heart take up thy rest. Come with your grace and heavenly aid, And fill the hearts which you have made.
Come Holy Ghost, Pentecost Hymn, Rabanus Maurus, 776-856.
On this Pentecost Sunday, Lord, people are dying, cities are burning, and our future is uncertain.
For generations you have put before us both a path to peace and prosperity, and one that leads to destruction and death. (Deuteronomy 30:15, Acts 2: 28).
Too often Lord we choose the wrong way, and then having lost our way, we cry out in despair. (Judges 2-10).
Yet you are ever with us and hear our cry. Your love and forgiveness are everlasting. Let them guide us forward, loosening the grip of hate and fear, inequity and greed, to a better way.
Spirit of Truth, you live in us (John 14:17), guide us to your peace.
Amen
Tags:despair, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, hope, justice, mercy, Pentecost, politics, Prayer, United States, USA
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May 27, 2020
[A reader, K.M., from Missouri sent us this prayer. She was Moderator for the Presbyterian Women in her Presbytery for 4 years and served for over 12 years in PW leadership in Missouri.]
What does the Lord require of you?
To seek justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Holy Spirit send us your light.
Give our country the strength and courage to move forward caring for all people, respecting all people, feeding, healing and reaching out to all people.
May we be guided by your light in all that we do to make our country safe again for all your people.
Amen
Tags:all people, courage, healing, Holy Spirit, hope, humility, justice, kindness, light, politics, Prayer, respect, strength
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May 24, 2020
“. . . There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.” Hymn of Promise, v. 2, Natalie Sleeth, 1986.
Lord God who knows our future, strengthen our hope in the unseen. (Romans 8:24; 2 Corinthians 4:18)
Guide us through these difficult days towards life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
Help us to persevere that we might know, and share, and build on your love. (Romans 5:1-5)
Help us rise above hate and fear, disrupting factions and finding a better way. (Galations 5:19-26)
Move us forward, O Lord.
Amen
Tags:country, courage, fear, future, hope, love, moving forward, peace, perseverance, politics, Prayer, USA
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May 17, 2020
The waiting is the hardest part. – Tom Petty
Our world changed suddenly and now we wait
in our doubt,
in our grief,
in our loneliness
in our impatience,
in our fear.
Open our hearts O Lord that we might find hope, and comfort each other.
Give us the courage to speak up, reach out, and together build a stronger, more just, more compassionate world.
Help us as we begin to move forward, O Lord.
Amen
Tags:compassion, country, courage, doubt, fear, future, hope, impatience, loneliness, politics, Prayer, USA, waiting
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May 9, 2020
“Open my eyes, that I might see glimpses of truth thou hast for me . . .”
Clara H. Scott, 1895; Open My Eyes That I May See, Chalice Hymnal, #586
With you Lord all things are possible (Mt. 19:26).
Please show us the possible in our broken world.
Show us the possible of a people-centered economy, the possible of rebuilding our communities, the possible of healing and caring for each other.
Show us the possible of a path to peace and the quieting of our partisan bickering. Show us the hope of a better future for all, O Lord.
Show us your ways, teach us your paths; guide us in your truth and teach us (Ps. 25:4-5).
Walk beside us through these difficult days.
Amen
Tags:community, country, healing, hope, peace, politics, Prayer, USA
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May 3, 2020
“Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain. Tell its grim, demonic chorus “Christ is risen! Get you gone!” God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna everyone.”
Brian Wren, 1986. Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Chalice Hymnal, #222.
For too long Lord, we have allowed ourselves to be misled by the grim demonic chorus emanating through all of our media and playing to our hates and our fears.
Open our ears that we might hear beyond the shouting, the sneers, the chatter, the dismissals, the deflections.
Help us to hear through the mendacity to find the truths that are aligned with your justice, your wisdom, your mercy.
Open our ears that we might listen for and find the voices of compassion, and knowledge and love.
Help us to hear your hope, your peace. And then help us to follow your word, O Lord.
Amen
Tags:country, justice, listening, love, mendacity, mercy, politics, Prayer, USA, wisdom
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Prayers For Our Country 