Pastoral Prayer for May 26, 2024

On this Memorial Day weekend,​​ 

we thank you, Loving God,​​ 

for the men and women who have made this country strong

in justice and truth.

They are models for us.

We thank you for the torch of liberty that has been lit in this land.

It has drawn people from every nation,​​ 

though we have often hidden from its light.

Help us, Loving God, to finish the good work here begun.

Strengthen our efforts to overcome ignorance and prejudice,​​ 

and to abolish hatred and racism.

Hasten the day when all Americans,​​ 

with many voices in one united chorus,

will glorify your holy Name.

Our pastoral prayer this morning comes to us from Ted Loder.

Please allow his words to become your own personal words:

O God, complete the work you have begun in me.

Release through me

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ a flow of mercy and gentleness that will bring

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ water where there is desert,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ healing where there is hurt,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ peace where there is violence,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ beauty where there is ugliness,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ justice where there is brokenness,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ beginnings where there are dead-ends.

Waken in me

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ gratitude for my life,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ love for every living thing,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ joy in what is human and holy,

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ praise for you.

Renew my faith that you are God

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ beyond my grasp but within my reach;

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ past my knowing but within my searching;

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ disturber of the assured, assurer of the disturbed;

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ destroyer of illusions, creator of dreams;

 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​​​ source of silence and music, light and love.

O Keeper of Promises, composer of grace,

grant me prayer in my heart, trust at my core,​​ 

songs for my journey, and a sense of your kingdom.

Amen.