Prayers of the People - May 21
Prayers of the People - Thursday Evening, May 21st
Pause at the end of each day. Enjoy communion with the living God: Creator, Redeemer, Holy Spirit. Listen for the voice of God in the scriptures.
Read
Psalm 41 - How blessed is the one who considers the helpless; The Lord will deliver them in a day of trouble.
Psalm 93 - The world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
Acts 1.1-11; Luke’s retelling of the Ascension. “Jesus said wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 1.15-23 I am always giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers
Meditate on the readings
The words of the Lord are spirit and life, a light to the wise path. Sit with your questions, write down your observations and tensions.
Pray
Bring your meditations to this time of prayer and let them guide you, or use the prayer we’ve offered here:
Lord, hear the prayers of your people
God of all Creation, we echo this adoration from the Psalmist today. The Lord reigns, clothed with majesty; The world is firmly established, it will not be moved.Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
We hold close the pain and groanings of our planet. We are suffering and distressed amidst storms across the US and cyclone Amphan in India. What more can our world take? How much more are we to bear?
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, The floods have lifted up their voice, The floods lift up their pounding waves. More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty breakers of the sea.
We want to be your witnesses, and we want to continue in prayer through all of these seasons of powerlessness.
We pray that the eyes of our hearts may be illuminated, so that we will know what is the hope of God’s calling, what are the riches of the glory of your inheritance in us, your people, and what is the surpassing greatness of your power toward us who believe.
The Lord on high is mighty. Your testimonies are fully confirmed; Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore.
Contemplate
In silence
Through song “Peace Be Still”, Rev. James Cleveland
Through reflection: “A Hurricane Prayer” by Valerie Creque
Lord and Holy Protector, like the disciples who were caught in their tiny boat in the midst of a mighty storm, we come together to seek Your help. We are fearful as we are surrounded by danger. We feel helpless and small before the great power of this perilous time, a power which is beyond our control.
While everything seems dark and dangerous, we place our trust in You, our Lord and God. Sheltered here in our home, we are also shielded by Your love against all that might harm us. We know that You hear all prayers; so we now, filled with confidence, lift up our petitions to You, our God.
Seek God’s face
“My heart said - seek God’s face. Lord, your face will I seek” Psalm 27.8
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Lord, hear the prayers of your people. Amen
Artwork:
Halle Woodruff’s Gathering Storm // Nicholas Kowalski’s Storm Warning
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