photo of Pentecost installation by Virginia Thibeaux
We invite you to join us this week in the prayers that we prayed in worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 31:
Loving, liberating, saving God,
You have created the world and all that is;
in Jesus Christ, you’ve come to save the world from all that does us harm;
and by your Spirit’s power, you invite us to re-create this broken world with you.
We give you thanks and praise.
We join the world’s lament this day.
We grieve the death of George Floyd,
and of all of the lives lost to the persistent violence of racism.
We repent of our participation in the systems and structures
that let this happen again and again,
of our continuing to let it be so,
of our silence.
Give us Spirit insight to see the world plainly with the eyes of Christ,
to listen to voices of people of color,
to speak and to do what must be done
to dismantle American racism,
to do the work of reparation,
and to create a new world with you.
In world where we see blood and fires and smoky mist,
we pray for peace and justice,
affirming that there is no real peace
without justice.
We pray for an end to pandemic.
As this nation grieves the death now of 100,000 people to COVID19,
and so many more around the world,
lead us to ways of healing.
Give us wisdom and compassion to lead lives
that honor and work for the health and well-being
of all people.
We pray for this Earth,
spinning in climate emergency,
give us hearts and the discipline
to live lives that mend the world.
We pray for those living outside,
for shelter and enough food for everyone.
In a world where so many forces work to separate us and keep us apart,
we pray for the Spirit of Pentecost
to draw us together,
a new world breaking forth,
where the dignity and humanity of every person
is what wakes us in the morning
to live another day for you.
Drawn together in your Spirit,
across distance and time,
we join our voices with all who have ever prayed
the prayer that Jesus taught, praying:
Our Father/Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.