Help us to learn from the trees to be your people.
Like the strong oak with its deep roots,
establish us in your word, in community, in prayer.
Like the graceful willow bending in the wind,
strengthen us to withstand tumults and trials.
Like the tall jack pine, true and straight,
make us pure and single-minded, always looking to you.
Like the rustling poplar, shining and shimmering,
give us joy in the winds of life….
Thank you, God, for your love which does not break down;
and for Jesus Christ who extended love to the lowest and the least.
Thank you for that love which continues to rise from the dead,
breaking out of places where we see only death and destruction.
Love’s new life breaking out in a thousand thousand places,
who knows how–a tide of love, working through all people of good will,
working through your church.
And in spite of all that, we still break down.
We break promises we’ve made, we break trust with those we love.
We confess that there is brokenness in many families,
and we need your help.
We confess that our communities fail vulnerable people,
and that there are people we pass by on the street…
God who sees all spaces,
you see the space between
what we need and what we get,
the space between the hunger
and the nourishment provided,
the space between our hopes
and what actually happens.
You see the cracks in our lives
out of which tears flow.
Help us live through these spaces
with courage in the face of emptiness,
God our Creator, thank you for giving us life and breath and work.
You expect us to do what we can with what we have,
to work with peace and patience,
to balance busyness with rest, work with Sabbath.
Give us healthy bodies, and the nourishment we need.
Help us to do our jobs without complaint,
with all our strength and might.
You see what we do, even when no one else is watching.
Every day, in every task, give us wisdom to remember who we are,
your children, your workers.
Hear our prayer today for all women and men, boys and girls who are homeless this day.
For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations.
For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime.
For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent.
For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in.
For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are.
For those who are afraid and hopeless.
For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net.
For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope….
Hear now, God, the prayer of hostages!
Prayers spoken through teeth clenched in fear,
prayers courageously floating on a tide of despair,
prayers that are a slender thread of hope.
Lord, we join our voices with all captives,
crying for freedom and return.
We cry for an end to the nightmare
of each soul in captivity….
God, save the children tonight.
Save them from empty stomachs and hunger pangs.
Preserve them from beatings and harsh words.
Protect them from bullets and bombs.
Shield them from sexual abuse.
Guard them from pain and disease.
Shelter them from anger and discord.
In their innocence, grant them peace.
God saves the children tonight.
Saves them when someone sends food for body and soul.
Preserves them when a neighbour intervenes….
We pray today for children in our communities
who live without either of their parents:
children whose parents have died,
children who have been abandoned,
children taken away from their parents because of abuse or neglect,
and children who have run away from home.
You care for these little ones God,
We pray this day
that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray this day for our new government
that it will help us live in peace with each other.
Give our politicians keen hearing to hear the cries of the poor.
Give our politicians sharp vision to see the long-term effect of policies.
Give our politicians plain speech to speak the truth.
Give our politicians clean hands to withstand corruption.
Give our politicians honest hearts that are eager to right injustice.
We ask all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.
I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com
Get regular resource updates and special announcements!
