2.25.24 Prayers of Church & Community, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Pasadena, CA

 Prayers of Church & Community, Feb. 25, 2024

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Holy God, LORD of creation and covenant, cradle and cross … you made us from the dust of the earth and filled us with your very own breath … 

In this holy place, O God, the whispers of faith surround us, your divine presence is felt a bit more keenly, our spiritual sensitivities are awakened - we find relief, encouragement, hope … we find our strength, and the courage to be strong … we find ourselves, and the courage to take one more step … we find something of ourselves, O God, as we find you … and YOU find us.

By the light of Christ, dear God, we see your glory … your love at work in all things for good … the tears you shed on behalf of your people, the pain you feel on the cross we build, the crown of thorns we weave … the nails of hatred, the spears of greed … ancient grudges and persistent sins.

We see your glory, high and lifted up … in the heavens and in the wonders of creation … we see your glory, O God, your creativity, your love, in the ways of our hair - straight and firm, short or long, tightly curled with a will of its own, bountiful or sparse, a splendid array of color and tone.

Your glory, O God: within our souls … mountains of love and beautiful courage … we are gifted, we are talented - we sing and dance, and write poetry … we follow recipes and bake an apple pie … we offer our hand to the weak, we speak words of wisdom … we care, we love, we dream, we hope.

Holy God, we pray for loved ones and friends … we pray for their wellbeing, in mind, body, heart and soul … we pray for healing and peace, for wisdom and love … protect them, we pray, from the predatory charms of materialism, save them from the vain promises of wealth and beauty … guard them, we pray, from the politics of fear and the religions of power.

Holy God, we pray for our land, our nation, our leaders - we pray for their welfare … may they lead with dignity, guide with vision - faithful, vision - one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.

In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ who taught us to pray, 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 and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.