Prayers for Today

Holy Father,

The world feels heavy today. People are scared, people are angry, people have no peace. All this turmoil is showing the foundations of each of our lives and for too many, the shifting sands of their foundations are faltering badly amidst the storms. Reveal yourself anew dear Lord to all those who have not built their lives upon you. Give the gift of faith and grace to all those whose lives seem lost and bleak today.

I pray for all those who have been rocked by the effects of Capitalism. I pray for those in our country who have lost their savings, their jobs, their dreams. May they find the one thing that can never been taken from them in you. I pray that this time of need will bring about a renewal of your Spirit in this land. May the failure of our economy remind us that it was never something to put our faith in anyways. It is simply a part of the kingdom of this world. May we be reminded of your kingdom. I pray also for all those around the world, who because of our economic woes, they are suffering as well. While we may be tightening our belts and worrying about retirement, they are now without food or shelter. Our choices and mistakes have such a ripple effect in this world. May you bring justice Lord. May you provide in your faithfulness and may your church be willing to sacrifice so as to meet the needs of all we can.

I pray for this election. This is so important for so many. There is a war that must end, but how it ends will effect peace, stability, and the lives of so many in Iraq. I fear we have damaged your name Lord with what we have done in that country. May your light find a way to break through the darkness that hangs over that broken land. May the killing stop. We need a leader for our country who will seek justice. We need a leader who will help our country reimagine who we can be and how we work. I don’t know who that is who or who it should be, but I know that in all things, you can work for good according to those who love you. May your church yearn for your guidance, groan for your hand ot be at work even through our government, and fall on our faces desperate to see change that honors the sanctity of all life.

I pray for those who are looking death in the eye today. Even as believers it is so hard to let go of the life we know now to embrace the life you have given us. Death has no victory, but it takes such faith to walk into it praising your name. Lord welcome with peace and light those who moving beyond death into new life. We know your Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing the life that is to come, so may we find comfort in your Spirit. May we find faith and reassurance, may we find life. Be with those who are grieving and mourning this day, for death that has taken place and death that is yet to come.

Paul gives us this creed Lord, may it be our prayer and our guiding strength.

If we died with him, we will also live with him.

If we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us.

If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Thank you Lord for this truth. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for the breath that gives us life and life abundantly. May we serve you this day.

I pray this through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen