Sharon Mead led us in this prayer for our 3rd Sunday of May:
Dear Jesus, Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit,
How great you are. There is none like you and we praise you. Thank you for drawing us into your presence today and bind our hearts together as we pray. You are the author of every good thing and in you is no darkness.
So, Lord, we lift up our hearts and our world to you. The darkness here around us or even in us sometimes feels overwhelming and the issues too great. When we think of our week, many emotions and reactions come to mind. Fear, anger, passivity, hope, discouragement, grief, courage, trust, acceptance. Yet you know all these things and never abandon us through any of it. By your spirit, we pray and believe that you are bringing reconciliation, new life, healing, and hope to our lives and world. Forgive us Lord, so that we can set others free. Heal us, so that we may bring heaven to earth by being and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.
We pray for our South Lake Union neighborhood and the businesses that seek to remain intact and provide livelihood for employees and families. We pray for families in our community region who work to balance school, work, and family in a very intense way. For those who have lost jobs, we ask for new opportunities and care for those who depend on that income. We pray for the Santa Maria Project in Baranquilla. We pray for those who suffer on the streets and in jails and prisons during this time of pandemic – give relief, Lord. We pray for those who seek to serve as community helpers. Give them strength and protection. We lift up those who suffer or have experienced loss from Covid-19 or those in our own community who are living with cancer or other diseases. Heal them, set everything right in their bodies so that they may be whole once again as you intend.
We pray for justice and justice-seekers. May your justice reign. We pray for the release of JoJo from the Northwest Detention Center. You, in fact, proclaimed freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, you came to set the oppressed free and to proclaim the Lord’s favor. You carry our burdens both physical and emotional and heal our infirmities. It’s your intention to relieve us from their weight and fear. It is your good pleasure to full us with grace. Do so even in this moment.
I close with this benediction From Every Moment Holy, Lord, as we move out to the places you’ve called us to be…
Give us discernment
in the face of troubling news reports
Give us discernment
to know when to pray,
when to speak out,
when to act,
and when to simply shut off our screens
and our devices,
and to sit quietly
in your presence,
Casting the burdens of this world
upon the strong shoulders
of the one who
alone is able to bear them up.
In Jesus’ powerful and precious name, AMEN