category: Emerging Church

Bidding Prayer for Hope

By Rachael Keefe

Come, let us pray for the church in all its variations throughout the world. People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly God of all times and places, reveal your presence in and among us. Your people yearn to proclaim your presence with Jacob’s surety. Too much distracts …

Bidding Prayer for Hope

2014-05-13 19.24.04
Come, let us pray for the church in all its variations throughout the world.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
God of all times and places, reveal your presence in and among us. Your people yearn to proclaim your presence with Jacob’s surety. Too much distracts us from your grace and mercy and often we mistake our ways for the way everlasting. We think we can tell wheat from weeds and are quick to condemn those who think differently. Give us hearts of compassion, understanding, and grace that we might learn to celebrate diversity rather than fear it. Let the day come when we all stand together in your presence, shining like the sun.
We trust in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation.

Come, let us pray for the United Church of Christ, here and elsewhere.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
From the wings of the morning to the farthest limits of the sea, you are with us, O God. We cannot hide from you or escape your presence. May this be a comfort to us in these times of change and transition. Let us not cling to unnecessary things or become slaves to fear. May we be open to all the possibilities you set before us as the body of Christ. Be with those you have called to lead us, especially Geoffrey Black our minister and president. Make your presence known throughout the United Church of Christ, sowing seeds of courageous faith and radical hope.
We trust in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation.

Come, let us pray for all people throughout the world.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
Creator God, we hear the groaning of creation and wonder what can be done. War and violence erupt daily. Storms grow in intensity. People are in need of food, shelter, and care. We would turn away from other people’s troubles if it were not for you. You would have us walk in the way of peace, sowing seeds of hope and promise. In the midst of heartbreak over all that we have done and all that we have left undone, we ask that your hope be made real in us and through us. Remind us that you know the thoughts and hearts of all people as well you know each one of us.
We trust in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation.

Come, let us pray for this nation and those in leadership.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
God of wisdom and welcome, you are indeed in this place, but we are a long way from the gateway to heaven. We are a nation divided by ideologies and economics and kept that way by those who trade in fear. Make us mindful of your commandment to love one another as you love. Hear our prayers for Barak Obama and all others in positions of power. Shape us into a nation where fear, violence, and hatred have no place.
We trust in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation.

Come, let us pray for all who are in need of healing.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
God of the brightest day and the darkest night, enter into to the dark, painful, lonely, broken places and bring light. Hear our prayers for those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. Be to them a source of hope and healing. You have called us together to be your body here and now; may we be agents of compassion, offering sanctuary to those in need.
We trust in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation.

Come, let us pray for all those who grieve.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
You walk behind us and before us, O God. Your presence comforts and reassures us. We ask that you would lay your hand on all those who are grieving. May those who sit in the deepest darkness of a sudden loss – murder, suicide, accident, or illness – find hope in your light. Show us how to bear the burdens of our sisters and brothers who struggle under the weight of their losses, letting no one suffer alone.
We trust in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation.

Come, let us give thanks to God for all of our blessings.
People are invited to share their prayers silently or quietly
Steadfast and gracious God, words fail to express our gratitude for grace you have given to us. Your mercy and forgiveness is unbelievable for many of us. Yet, you are our hope now and for all things to come. In our gratitude we share Jacob’s amazement at your presence in this place. Grant us the courage to shine with your righteousness, honoring and serving you in all that we say and do.
We pray in Christ’s name, trusting in God’s mercy and grace;
Our hope is in Christ, who is our salvation. Amen.

RCL – Year A – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – July 20, 2014
Genesis 28:10-19a with
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 or
Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or
Isaiah 44:6-8 with
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

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About Rachael Keefe

Rachael is an author, a pastor, a teacher, and a poet. Her latest book (The Lifesaving Church - Chalice Press) is on faith and suicide prevention. She is currently the pastor of Living Table UCC in Minneapolis, and has launched a spiritual direction practice.

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