Pastoral Prayer for the 6th Sunday in Lent

 

How often we act in the same way as the older son in Jesus; parable, O God, refusing to enter fully join you in joy because of the company you keep. How grateful we are that when we do, you stand with us, loving us as we are unable to love others, until we too can join joyfully saying“the dead are now alive, the lost have been found!” Until we recognize that we are just as lost as others, and that you are just as eager to welcome us home.

We recognize that there are so many people, so many places, where people don’t feel welcomed even in the own homes, where they are experiencing lack due to no fault of their own. Here us now as offer these simple prayers for them and for us:

    Peace in Ukraine and all places violence exists,

    Enough for those who are hungry for anything from food to your justice,

    Gratitude for the beauty of your creation and remorse for how many times             we’ve neglected it,

    For all hurting, in body, mind or Spirit, as well as those grieving losses of any         kind, whether recent or long ago.We offer these prayers to your compassionate care, seeking your Spirit so that we can be part of your care.

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