Selasi Dankwa led us in this prayer on 2nd Sunday:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the opportunity to gather today in worship and for the blessing of hearing from each other. Thank you for each person that makes up this Union community and for how you’re working in our lives and in the church.
Help us to love you more and to love each other well. May we extend that love to our neighbors outside this community as we are reminded of the ways in which you love us perfectly and continually pour out your grace and mercy upon us. Let us respond to your invitation to follow you as you show us how to be peacemakers, and agents of healing and reconciliation. Let us not be indifferent to the suffering of others. Where we are fearful give us courage. Where we are tempted to be prideful, may we follow the example of Christ. In our weariness, strengthen us. And in all things, may our actions point to God.
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for an end to the COVID pandemic. You who are able to do all things in your mighty power, have mercy on us. But while we wait in hope and trust for the pandemic to end, we pray for your continued protection against COVID, especially for our frontline workers. Renew their strength, encourage them, help them to persevere. We pray for those who’ve been furloughed or lost jobs, please continue to provide for their daily needs and bring along just the right job. For those who grieve the loss of something else or someone, may we know your comfort.
Dear God, we lift up JoJo before you. He’s been in the detention center for so long. We know that you have strengthened his faith and used him to be a blessing to other detainees, but we still pray for his release and for everything he needs to live life meaningfully outside the detention center.
God our healer, we lift up the sick before you. Please restore them fully to good health. Bring comfort and encouragement and peace. We extend these prayers to any who are feeling discouraged or lonely or isolated. Remind them that they do not walk alone. May they have a tangible sense of your presence.
Father, thank you for seeing our students, parents and teachers through a challenging end to the school year. Thank you especially for our graduates, for faithfully walking with them to the end. We pray for guidance and for jobs where those are needed and for good preparation for the next season of their lives. For the younger students who are preparing for a different kind of summer, we pray for a summer of fun and creativity but also rest.
And for all other needs God, you know them, you know our hearts. Please provide.
May we be a church that trusts in your goodness always. In Jesus Name.