We live lives that are not characterized by perfection, but often by uncertainty, unhappiness, and chaos. Things happen, and we wonder why. In the midst of all our tentative realities, God rules, and God reigns. We are never alone in the exigencies which inevitably befall all of us. Therefore we gather each week in praise of a God who creates us, a Sustainer who guides us, and a Redeemer who brings us ultimately back to Himself. Let us therefore, with confidence, worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
We praise Thee, O God, for the ultimately inexpressible gift of life, and for the wonder and beauty and pleasure that it brings us. We thank Thee for all the people through all of our lives who have immeasurably added to our life’s richness and memorable content. Most of us happily can attest that we have been greatly blessed, and that relatively speaking, we have led very charmed lives.
But when we consider the lives of others we have known, we are struck by the fact that some people lead very difficult lives, and that one adversity after another have plagued them for most of their existence. Be particularly present to these folks, Lord God, that they may realize they have an unfailing source of strength to go with them through all their hardships. Uphold the sick, give courage to the dying, grant respite to those who feel under siege of any sort, and strengthen the spirit and the faith of those who live in constant tension and stress. Give courage to the caregivers for such people as well, O God of eternal compassion.
We pray for civilians caught in the midst of wars of revenge. They did not start the warfare, nor can they stop it, and yet they are the primary victims of it. We pray for people going about ordinary activities who are alive one moment and dead the next, victims of people who seek to resolve differences with bombs and guns and missiles, rather than negotiations and words and diplomacy. Grant wisdom to responsible national leaders, and increased discretion and discernment to those who act irresponsibly. We are an imperfect species, O God. We do not ask for perfection, knowing that to be impossible. But we do pray for greater wisdom amidst the folly of our times. These and all our prayers we offer in the name of Jesus, Thy Son and our Messiah. Now we pray together as he taught his disciples, saying, Our Father….