Sunday, November 7, 2010
Offered by Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor

God of all seasons, in the midst of autumn we are aware of the earth holding the seeds from summer for next year’s planting. Thank you for the cycles of life and death, through which you renew your creation and your people. On this All Saints’ Day, we thank you for the lives of the faithful who have gone before us, providing the seeds for us to grow in faith and witness. Guide us to take stock of our own lives, that we may leave a rich legacy of faith, hope, love, and justice for generations to follow.

Creator God, you never cease to pursue your purposes on earth and call upon us to be co-creators with you. Grant us courage for the journey to follow wherever you lead and to trust you even when we seem inadequate to the high calling you place on our lives.

We pray for all who have been elected to public office. Guide them to hold worthy goals and to pursue those goals with wisdom and righteousness. Bless politicians so that they move beyond partisanship toward collaboration in seeking the highest good for all people. Keep all of us mindful of those whose rights are abused, whose needs are overlooked.

We lift up to you persons who are lonely, that they may know your company and find friends. We pray for those who sleep on the streets in the cold and for soldiers who keep vigil in the night. Protect them as they long for home. We pray for all discouraged as they seek employment, that they may soon land meaningful work and in the meantime experience others’ generosity. We lift up to you those who are sick or recovering from surgery, those who are grieving or anxious, and those who are tired and lost. We pray also for people in places torn apart by violence, that your peace may reign. May your light shine hope in their lives and in us, that we turn to you in our need and discover your abiding strength and love. Hear us now as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught: Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church