Prayer for the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost - July 18, 2021

How easy it is to forget O God, that you create us to be as one. All the diversities in how we look, what we believe, our traditions and practices, where we live, even what we eat- it seems at times we are more different than alike.

And yet you don’t see these as strange or based on them divide people into “us” and “them”. You give us these as gifts to be celebrated, appreciated, that are intended to be just that- differences. You still call all of us with one name- your children, siblings encompassing the whole of humanity. Thank you for possibilities this diversity provides us.

Yet too often we don’t see possibilities. We judge these differences as making others as better or worse, wrong or right, at times even safe or a threat. When presented with someone new or unknown, too often we fail to avail ourselves of the opportunity to learn something new, or to discover something that may enrich our lives. Instead, we construct barriers, designating the rules that need to be followed to keep “them” distant from “us”. Too often even when we know their names, we still relate is if they are strangers to us, others who must be changed at best, or gotten rid of at worse.

Hear our prayers this morning O God, that you turn our understanding of those we would call strangers into knowing them as siblings. If it is someone we haven’t met before, may we approach them as a friend yet to be.  For those we would define as adversaries, turn our hearts to see them as friends. Help us recall the times we have felt like outsiders, when told we weren’t in the right group, we were chastised for believing the wrong things, or that we could be nothing but a stranger to others. Use that to fuel our desire to treat others with the welcome, the openness, and the love that we so desired, and that you offer all of us. 

Bring up those memories of times we were viewed as a stranger when disagreements arise.  When differences over what should be done lead us to begin disparaging another, restrain us from the temptation to label others as somehow less than human. When heated disagreements tempt us to turn friends into strangers with declarations of “I thought I knew you”, nudge us to recall that we do know- they are yours, held in your love.

 Make us into the seeds that you nurture and grow to heal the divisions that exist in so many places, in communities, the nation, and the world.

For it is only when we no longer see someone as a stranger that we can have compassion for them. We witness this in Jesus, who never met a stranger, only a member of your family, a sibling of his to love. As we follow Jesus’ ways, provide us the hearts and actions that do the same.

We lift up all these prayers, as well as the unspoken ones of our hearts and spirits, in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

 

Prayer for the Seventh Sunday of Pentecost, July 11, 2021

 God, you rejoice with us in our celebrations and joys. How amazing that you long to give us a joyful, abundant life, so you can join us in it. It’s as if you are dancing in a circle with Christ and the Spirit, inviting us to throw off our insecurity and join you, widening the circle eternally. Or as if a DJ at a wedding, urging all to get up on the dance floor and join in you in those silly but oh so fun group dances.

Keep trying O God, when we instead sit in our chairs, concerned what others may think, or the “propriety” of such unbridled joy. Keep trying O God if we are one who would look at the others and state how unseemly it all is, or childish.

Give us the spirits to live our lives with the same joy as that person who jumps up on the dance floor first, has no rhythm, and dances exuberantly anyway, embracing fully the moment of community and joy.

For that is what you long for all your children, all people- to live exuberantly, with joy, together.

But we find that hard to do at times.

When we allow disagreements to become chasms, then build walls on each side to protect what is ours or “right,” open cracks in them. Create spaces where we can reach through, out to others, so we can listen and really hear what is behind those disagreements. Then lead us in a way to solutions that build community, not tear it apart. We think especially of our political leaders in Washington D.C. and our states.

It’s difficult to rejoice when times are difficult, even painful.  The Pandemic, the recent highlighting of the deep roots of racism in this county, the continuing assault on the environment that you charged us to protect, the protests and shootings: these stifle any inkling to celebrate. Help us embrace those moments of joy that are still there in spite of what is going on. Not so we deny the pain. but so we can join in righting wrongs until all your people have life and have it abundantly together.

At times, the joy you provide is more muted.  A quiet time with a loved one who is sick. Sharing memories with family while looking at pictures after the death of a loved one.  We rejoice in these joys O God, and seek your comfort, presence, and love for all who are experiencing the.

And when we need, bring your solace, your strength into our lives, embrace us so tightly in your love until we can throw off our jacket, and join in your Dance of love.

We lift all these prayers, as well as those of our hearts and spirits, in the name of the One who came to invite us to your Dance, Amen.

Prayer for Sunday July 4, 2021, Sixth Sunday of Pentecost

Holy One, today this nation celebrates the freedoms envisioned in the nation’s founding documents, giving thanks for where they incorporate your wisdom. We celebrate that they include the freedom to recognize where even those words may limit others’ rights. then to repent and change until everyone can live into the vision expressed by the words: “all… are created equal”, and that all have right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. We give thanks that among those ideals is one that reflects the reality of your love- that each voice matters, and that no other human has the right to attempt to push any group aside.

We do not always agree with what those words mean, or how to live them out. Forgive us when in our struggles and disagreements we limit the rights of other, use demonization that degrades any of your children, or resort to violence of words or weapons.

For the freedoms we celebrate as a nation are but a reflection of the liberties you offer all your children, no matter where they live, no matter their national or ethnic identity.  

We rejoice each day that through your reign and ways we can live lives that go beyond mere happiness to abundant joy. For no one can take away the freedom of your love that is open and offered to every person, without label or rank.

The freedom that Jesus embodies, of compassion that seeks the good of people above rules and regulations.

There is the liberty that comes with the recognition of the wonders of your designing us to be interdependent. You lead us to shake off the false narrative that we are left on our own throughout life so we can embrace the joys of shared life with you and with all your children.

You offer us liberation from all that would bind us, be it with actual handcuffs or chains and locked rooms, or if we are held captive by our own fears, hate, or the oppression of others.

And even in times of illness, pain, and grief you free us from the fear that death will have the final word,  or that anything can separate us from your love and care.  For all of this, we offer our humble gratitude and praise.

We lift all these prayers, as well as the unspoken ones of our hearts and spirits, in Jesus’ name. Amen.