Pastoral Prayer for Sunday March 20, 2022- Third Sunday in Lent

 Gracious and merciful God, we are grateful that you do “give a fig” about us so much that through Jesus you draw closer to us when we cannot or will not draw closer to you. You long for all your children to live lives in which they flourish, both for ourselves and for each other. Change us so that we not only can see as you do, but live as Jesus did- under your joyful, abundant reign sharing it with others.

We are having trouble seeing that reality right now, O  God. The pandemic isolated us even as the measures taken were necessary to protected the most vulnerable. The escalating rhetoric around politics, policies, race, and all the “blaming” pointing to others without looking at themselves, the shaming; all raises fears that only isolate us more. Our own hurt, feelings of betrayal, abonnement, or wrongs done against us block us, so that we think  your way can’t work and  that “worlds” ways are our only option. Reassure us that repentance is possible, that the reality of your love and grace frees us from all that would seemingly push us away from you and each other.

Not that we have completely lost that sense of connection. Our collective horror and pain over the war waging in the Ukraine remind us that we still long to live lives together that accept your love and joy. Free us from all that prevents us from reaching out with ways of welcome and care, as well as being your peace bearers there and anywhere others use violence to resolve conflicts or advance their own wants and ideals.

Show us again how to reach out to each other, to refrain from judging who does or doesn’t deserve good, as we humbly recognize that we do not have the complete view you have. Restore in us the impulse to acts of kindness and hospitality. Help us long to listen to understand and learn more than to speak and insist on our views. Bring us to reach out again for the healing you offer, to let go of our hurts and resentments no matter how long it takes, so that we may be free to reach out to others in vulnerability and love.

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