Sunday, October 18, 2015
Offered by Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor

Great God, Ageless One, Extravagant Persistence, thank you. Thank you for the gift of prayer, for the light within us that burns, sometimes flickers , in hope that you hear our prayers. Thank you for this day, that the sun has risen. Thank you for games and distractions, for moments of highs and excitement that make the difficulties of life more bearable. Thank you for promises of faith: that we are created in your image and that your love for us far outweighs our failings, far outweighs the brokenness we all share.

God, our Creator, we pray for the world. For justice and peace among the nations, for a miracle of peace in the Middle East, for Palestine, Israel, Afghanistan, Syria—so many people at war and so many innocent victims. For those who work to keep people safe and healthy and fed and for peacemakers, we pray for strength to continue their labor.

We pray for those in need. For the sick and the disabled, for the unemployed and the lonely, for the homeless and the hungry, that they may find hope and that resources would find them.

God the giver of life, we pray for the dying and for those who have died. For those whose loneliness seems unbearable, may you enter into hearts and minds and be noticed.

Guide our church, O God, in our desire to be faithful and effective, but keep us faithful first. Lay your hand on our officers—our elders, deacons, trustees—that they would love and trust you more every day. Help us all to accept your grace and mercy.

O God, it is by your mercy that you have given us the ministries we share. It is by your mercy that you have given us a desire for you. It is by your mercy that you have given us Jesus, the Christ, who came to show us the way of love and faithfulness even when we couldn’t understand. In our desire to follow him, we pray the prayer he taught, saying, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church