Wilderness Prayers -- Prayers of the People

These prayers were offered in the thick of our election season last October, when human kindness felt scarce. As our circumstances have only escalated, I've found myself returning to the imagery of bondage in Egypt.

God of our Wilderness,

Give us the courage to pray for what we need.

Even the brittle fall leaves can sing of your splendor. Even the chill of an autumn morning can raise our minds to thoughts of you. Gracious One, in the tumult and in the wilderness, we thank you for nature’s liturgy of the seasons. For Your constancy that that eludes our contingency. For Your faithfulness that surpasses our fallenness.

Because we have been afoot in these wilderness days for what feels like too long. You have promised us a distant land of milk and honey, a land where righteousness rolls down like water, but Lord sometimes it is easier to focus on the distance rather than Your promise. And God we are tired.

We pray for those walking through illness and disease. For those -- parents, siblings, friends – who are anxious at the condition of a loved one. For those who gather around hospital beds and those who are quarantined. We pray for our President, the First Lady, and all those recovering from illness. For those in our country living through a pandemic without access to healthcare. O Healer, we pray for the bereaved, especially those from our congregation who have passed on to you in glory -- for Fro McDonald and Harry Kremer.

God of our Provision,

It is easy to look back to our Pharaohs and thank them for our chains. To remember the fleshpots of a day gone by and resent the moment to which you have called us. But, Holy One, bondage to you alone is our only real freedom.

We pray for the moral courage of our nation. For our political spectacles that can celebrate our ugliness. For elections that teach us that our daily bread can come at our sibling’s expense. God, forgive us when we are tempted to make monsters out of others to avoid the meanness in our own hearts. Teach us never to be content except with the bread that you provide.

Unfailing One,

With malice towards none and charity toward all, give us what we need to finish the journey we’re on. Steward us into ways of hope, gentleness, and mercy. Lead us away from the habits that make us forget the goodness of all your people. Give us visions of your Heavenly Table and the patience to make our way through this wilderness. At your Table with all the saints, prepare our hearts as the balm in a wounded world. Away from the Enemy’s pandering, make us hungry for what you alone provide, O Lord. Break us open that we might be shared with a world in need.

These prayers were offered at Second Presbyterian Church on October 4th, 2020. For a video, see below: