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.