Prayers for the Week of January 19, 2025

Please feel free to join us in the prayers prayed in worship Sunday, January 19, 2025:

Holy, Sovereign God,

you created all that is in love

that we might live together for the common good.

You are at work in the world, always,

bringing good news to the poor,

freedom for the oppressed, and

healing for all our broken places.

You have created us and you call us

to join and live into your good work.

and we give you thanks and praise.

In the world where the powerful seem to be gaining more power,

we pray for the vulnerable.

We pray for your fragile but resilient Earth.

Help us heal the harm we have done,

and adapt our ways of living,

so that we might live faithfully and lovingly

into the realities we have set in motion.

We pray for those harmed by violence and war.

We give thanks for the glimmer of hope and peace

that we see in the cease fire.

We pray for the release of hostages and prisoners,

for their safe return to family and loved ones.

We pray that this truce might deepen

into a peace that comes with full justice.

We pray for the people of Gaza that this peace

might bring about the restoration of full access to basic human necessities,

safe drinking water, food, medical care, and safe shelter.

We pray for freedom for the oppressed,

for the courage to stand against oppressive systems,

the humility to see the part we play, and stop,

and the wherewithal to resist and rebuild.

We pray for those who are hungry, for food enough and more.

For those living outside, for shelter.

For those who are lonely, companionship.

For those who are hurting or sick, healing.

For those who mourn, comfort.

Instill in us the steady spiritual rhythm and discipline

to travel together on the journey inward and the journey outward,

as we listen for what you are calling us to do and be,

in a world in turmoil and hurt.

Help us work with you for the common good –

for justice, healing, and peace.

Help us live into this truth:

We are the body of Christ, and each one of us a part of it.

In the fullness of the Body of Christ,

with all those who have called on you, in any time and place,

we pray the prayer that Jesus taught, saying:

Our Father/Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.