God of amazing compassion,
lover of our wayward selves,
you bring to birth a pilgrim people,
and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world.
We pray for grace to take your generous gift
and step with courage on this holy path,
confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us,
made known and given in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Artist of souls,
you sculpted a people for yourself
out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting.
Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity,
that the discipline of these forty days
may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship,
and whet our thirst for the living water you offer
through Jesus Christ.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of the covenant,
in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance,
draw all people to yourself,
that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom.
God of Love, God of Peace
Create within us a heart for people,
A desire for change
For new eyes to bear witness to your hand already at work,
For renewed hope and prophetic imagination.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
O God, we pray for the ongoing spread of the coronavirus,
for those working tirelessly to create vaccines,
for those living in fear and anxiety,
for those grieving the loss of loved ones.
Grant Your peace, we pray.
O God, we hold before You all those who are in need
For those affected by the tornadoes in Tennessee,
For those experiencing personal tragedy and loss,
we offer our prayers either silently or aloud...
Grant, O God, that the prayers we offer
may be your channel for new and abundant life
not only hoped for, but worked for,
through faithful word and deed.
All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.