Sunday, January 31, 2016
Offered by Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor

God, you are a god beyond time and calendar, beyond deadlines and measureable objectives, and yet that is the world we human beings navigate. One month at its end, and we can hardly fathom it. And so, slow us down, dear Lord. Slow us down so that we can take note of your abundance. Slow us down so that we can appreciate the sparkle in the eyes of a child or find patience with tears of distress. Slow us down so that we can hear the hints of spring in the air, so that we can marvel at a sunrise, or find awe in a simple, well-timed word of encouragement. Slow us down, dear Lord, so that we can see your hand at work, even and especially in the challenges of our lives.

Our country’s political process is front and center in our minds, whether we like it or not. We pray for our leaders and would-be leaders. We pray for a system of government, once the envy of the world, showing need of reform and correction and, dare we say, repentance. So use the spirit of unrest that exists to speak truth to powers that be. Raise up leaders that see beyond their own gain so that all people in this country can pursue life and liberty and happiness.

God of compassion, we lift up the people of Flint, Michigan, and pray for their children and children’s children, and we ask for swift aid, clean water, and solutions. Thank you for the oceans and lakes and rivers and ponds and for their ecosystems. Help us to cherish and care for this earth and for the resources we take for granted.

For the people fighting the spread of yet again a new virus, please give wisdom and intelligence, and bring the rampant spreading to a swift end. Cradle in your arms the mothers and fathers of all children damaged. O Lord, sustain valiant health workers everywhere.

For friends in our midst who are grieving a loss of any kind, bring comfort and a palpable sense of your presence. For friends in our midst who are suffering from illness, and for their loved ones, bring increased trust in you. We pray for our children and we pray for our parents. We pray for our siblings and we pray for our friends. And most of all, O God of great mercy, we thank you for the gift of mercy and grace you have bestowed on us. You have shown us in Christ that your love is never ending. Help us to believe that and enable us to then love one another with generous hearts. In the name of your Son and our brother and friend, we pray the prayer he taught to his disciples, saying, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church