Pastoral Prayer | Sunday, July 14, 2024
Pastor Steve had several requests from people on Sunday for the pastoral prayer he offered during worship. Please see the prayer below.
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“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6
God of light and love,
You who have made yourself known to us, and through your Son Jesus Christ have called us to love you and to love one another,
We pray to you today, painfully aware of the brokenness that permeates our nation. The hostility that exists among us grieves your Spirit and puts the well-being of us all at risk.
Where we have been slow to listen and quick to judge…forgive us, we pray.
Where we have chosen to insulate ourselves, listening only to voices that reinforce ideas that we already espouse…forgive us, we pray.
Where we have spoken ill of our neighbor because of disagreements or differences of opinion…forgive us, we pray.
Where we have mocked an opponent or laughed at the downfall of one whose political ideas we oppose…forgive us, we pray.
We plead today for the healing of our land. We acknowledge our need for your guidance and help. In our pleading, may we also choose to accept responsibility for the work that is ours to do…in building bridges through words and actions that are more loving, more caring, more respectful, more gracious, and more gentle.
Give us the courage to share in this work together. To follow Jesus. To be the church. Help us encourage each other toward deeper faithfulness, that our witness might shine your light and your love for all to see.
We pray these things in the name of the One who came to break down every barrier to the transforming power of your love, and who invites us all to a table where we might find joy and contentment in feasting with one another. And so…together…as one body…we pray as he taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.