I ask tonight for your thoughts, prayers, and meditations for the American Church, as it faces a troubling moment in its life.
Join with me, please, as we say:
Lord, we often fold our hands in prayer,
when we should really jump for joy
because you come to us as rescuer, as Savior,
cleaning up the mess we make of our lives,
putting together what we pull apart.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We pray* for the Church, and for the communities in which we participate.
You have called us to take part in their lives,
and despite our failures, you have not cast us off.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We know that much of the Church's life and witness
looks silly and weak in the eyes of the world at large,
but you still use its foolishness to shame worldly wisdom
and its weakness against the abuse of power.
Empower us to do the same.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We pray for those who cry desperately for salvation,
for tyranny to be overthrown,
for the despised to be given dignity,
for the poor to receive a proper share of the earth's resources.
Grant us hope and inspiration to action.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We bring you particular needs:
- for Michelle and Allie, facing sudden losses in their families,
- for Meteor Blades and his family, as they continue to heal after a devastating car crash.
- For all our friends who are sick, hurting, or despondent,
- And for all we name tonight...
With confidence we share these with you,
knowing of your compassion for all people.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We pray for our families...
Recognizing that Jesus' human life brought both pain and joy to his earthly relatives.
Help us also to know you in both the joys and the pains of family.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We remember those who have died...
Through our sorry and sense of loss we are glad
for the promise that there shall be an end to death,
and to mourning and crying and pain;
for the old order has passed away.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
We pray at last for ourselves,
that we might be filled with a spirit of love,
that we might not be overcome with bitterness, division, enmity,
that we may pray for and love our enemies, now and always.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Source of Love;
Rejoice, my Spirit!
*meditate, hold in good and active thought