Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Living God, you chose us to be your witnesses in the world. We pray for the church in every place and the congregations in our community. Focus our hearts and minds on the ministry we share in your name. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving God, all creation sings praise to you. You delight in the oceans, and the mountains are your throne. Teach us humility and respect for our home. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Sovereign God, you rule the heavens, the earth, and time itself. Make this a time of justice, peace, and solidarity among all nations and peoples, so that oppression and violence rule no more. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Tender God, we wait with hope for your presence to heal us, bless us, restore us, and give us peace. You know all the names of those suffering for whom we pray this day especially Peter, Laura, Kathy, Susan, Tom S. Bob, Joe I., Jennifer, Kara, Rosetta, Franco, the family and friends of Marie, Charlie, the family and friends of Dorothy Correll, Zenaida, Daniel, the family of Marsenna Rentel, the family and friends of Charles Kuttler, Jane and anyone we name silently in our hearts, aloud in our homes or in the comments below. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gentle God, you guide us as we seek wisdom. We pray for teachers, professors, theologians, day care workers, and all those charged with teaching the young and old. Give them endurance and persistence in their valuable work. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those in pursuit of recovery and perseverance in the midst of the Coronavirus. We pray for all essential workers in New York City and around the world who continue to work and put their own wellbeing on the line to help us face this crisis. We pray for doctors, nurses, first responders, researchers, law enforcement, caregivers, sanitation and maintenance workers, and all working to combat COVID-19. Be with those who work in service and restaurant professions, those keeping stores stocked and making at home deliveries, for teachers both at home and online working tirelessly to give our children an education in the midst of crisis. We pray for those who transport goods to the places that need them, provide them with what they need along the journey. Keep them safe, keep them healthy, and help us to find ways to provide them with the supplies that they need to do their jobs well. We ask that you continue to be with employers and employees who are struggling to figure out how to keep things going during this time. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Infinite God, your inheritance given to all your saints is your presence in our life and in our death. We remember with thanksgiving the faithful departed especially Dorothy Correll, Marsenna Rentel and Charles Kuttler. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Those Who are Lonely
Andrea Simmonds
Holy Creator, when creating us you knew that it wasn’t good that we should be alone. You created a companion and populated the earth.
Come near to those who feel the contradictions
To their created nature.
Who are feeling the pull of missing,
Physical touch.
Who are aching to have another human,
Face to face.
God let them feel Your presence.
Let them know that You are near
And they are not alone in their loneliness.
May they find solace in seeing through a screen
Though dimly now, with lags, and freezes will
Once again be seen close and clear.
Amen.
Wake Forest University School of Divinity Alumni. Crocus Blooms in Wilderness Places: Sermons, Prayers, and Reflections During COVID-19. Library Partners Press. Kindle Edition.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose 