Praying for a More Gracious, Generous World

Posted on October 6, 2024

This morning, someone asked if I publish my pastoral prayers. I haven’t in the past, but here is this morning’s (October 6) prayer:

Loving and generous God: made in your likeness, we struggle to reflect your generosity to the world. It is hard to be generous with our money when grocery prices have risen, when (as young people) we struggle to pay student loans and rent, when (as older people) the cost of healthcare feels overwhelming. Loving and generous God, it is hard to be generous with our time. There is so much to do and only so many hours in the day. Work, meetings, appointments seem to consume our calendars when we know our time with you, family, and friends is what truly matters most. Loving and generous God, it is hard to be generous with our talents. There are so many needs around us and so many organizes that do good. We struggle to discern how we can offer our best abilities and skills where it will matter most and truly make a difference. Loving and generous God, it is hard to be generous with our hearts. The world has become such a hostile, polarized place. It feels safer to hide our deepest self and only share with those who share our values and opinions. And yet, you are a God who gives abundantly, even offering up your life for our salvation. Help us to grow in our generosity that others might see your grace and goodness reflected through us.

Lord, throughout this week we have continued to see images of those who lives were upended by Hurricane Helene. Provide for their needs, O gracious God. Through the giving and serving of others, we pray for clean drinking water, medication, food, shelter, and comfort for those who are grieving.

We pray for the Middle East where violence seems to be spreading like wildfire. We pray that those at odds with one another may recognize the value of every human life and the futility of retribution. May they come to recognize that violence only begets more violence and destruction; that a scorched earth leaves in its wake nothing to sustain life.

Merciful God, while we grieve the suffering of those so far away, we grieve the suffering also of those who are near to us and dear to our hearts.

We pause for a moment of silence to name in our hearts and lift to you those who are sick:

We pause for a moment of silence to name in our hearts and lift to you those who are grieving the death of a loved one:

We pause for a moment of silence to name in our hearts and lift to you those who are walking the valley of the shadow of death, as well as those who accompany them on the difficult journey:

We pause for a moment of silence to name in our hearts and lift to you those who are in financial need, struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food in their tummies:

We pause for a moment of silence to name in our hearts and lift to you those who experience violence, bullying and disrespect in their homes, at work, at school, and in their communities:

Faithful God, we pray for this community of University Heights. We pray for the university – its students, faculty, and administrators, and for Rev.s Ari and Azi who lead the ecumenical ministry. We pray for the families served by BIBS and those who break bread each month at our community meal. We pray for our Children’s Center – its teachers, children and families. And we pray for our United Methodist Church and for our bishop, Tracy Smith Malone.

Gracious God: teach us to make choices each day that conform to your desires for us and for the world and to cooperate and engage with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live and pray…

Our Father, who are in heaven: holy is your name.
Your Kin-dom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into times of testing, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.