Prayer for the Church

In May, I was asked to preach at Wesley UMC in Morgantown.  As part of that, I offered the "Prayer of the Church" which is below:

Creating, loving, sustaining God, we come to you in gratitude for this community of faith.  Thank you for all the good and joy-filled ways you have walked with this congregation through its history. We pray the legacy of those who have come before us – strong in faith – may shine forth in us, as we reach out in your name to bring light to those around us.

 

We lift to you the concerns weighing heavy in our hearts this morning. (pause) 

• We pray for those who are sick, for those who need healing, and for those who cannot imagine that healing can be found. 
• 
  We pray this morning for those who are grieving loss – whether that is the loss of a loved one or a friend, or the loss of a dream or an expected future.
• We pray this morning for those seeking recovery from addiction, for those who not desire recovery, and for those who can’t imagine recovery.  We pray for those who care for them.
• We pray for those who are lonely, who are afraid, who are lost. Surround them with your grace.
• We pray this morning for the caretakers, the parents, the nurtures – give them encouragement.
• We pray for those who lead us – give them wisdom and strength.

 

This morning we lift up the joys in our lives – for laughing children, grown-ups who tell stories, smiling faces, and accomplished minds. 

 

As we leave this sanctuary, may your spirit walk with us so that our eyes are opened to those who need help – food, love, home.

 

We pray in the name of the one who taught us to pray…