O God, we pray for all people
in all places around the world.
We pray for all those who know You
and for all those who have no faith.
We pray today for those who believe
violence and anger are the only ways
to realize their dreams for the world.
We pray for those who have little or nothing to eat,
for those who are starving,
who have no shelter,
who have no friends.
We pray for those who have everything they need
but who have no sense of purpose in life,
who never see the need among their neighbors.
Lord, open their eyes to charity toward others.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our Prayer.
We pray for those who lead us in faith
and for all who lead others in worship.
May all leaders, religious or otherwise,
be guided by care for those they lead.
We pray for those who are sick, and who suffer,
wherever they are in the world.
Whether they suffer from disease, injury,
abuse, or neglect.
For the victims of the devastation that unfolded
at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh,
and for the victims of warped ideologies and hatred
that lead to shootings at houses of worship,
mail bombs, and other acts of terror.
Lord be with them in their suffering;
rescue those trapped in fear.
We pray for any who suffer and who are known to us.
May we bring them to mind now and lift them to You in prayer.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our Prayer
O God, we pray for this Sanctuary community,
for her voice in this city and for her future.
Make us a people like Jonah’s whale;
able to stomach the rebels until they’re ready
to receive the gifts You have for them.
Make us a people like Moses’s rock;
that no matter if we are struck in anger
or spoken to with kindness
we would respond with grace
Make us a people like Zacchaeus's tree;
that by being rooted and grounded in this community,
we might cause others to get a better glimpse of Jesus.
O Jesus Christ, Teacher and Healer,
You heard the cry of the blind beggar
when others would have silenced him.
Teach us to be attentive to the voices others ignore,
that by Your Spirit we might heal the afflicted
and welcome the abandoned
for Your sake and the sake of the Gospel.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.