PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

Almighty and Compassionate God,

In a world filled with turmoil, uncertainty, and division, we turn to You — our refuge and our
strength, ever-present in times of trouble. We see the pain and suffering across nations, the
cries of the oppressed, the violence that steals peace, and the fear that grips communities
around the globe. Lord, have mercy.

We pray for Your peace to cover the earth — not the fragile peace built on silence or distance, but the deep, reconciling peace that comes from Your Spirit. Where there is war, bring understanding. Where there is injustice, let righteousness roll down like a mighty river. And where hearts are hardened, soften them with Your love.

Grant leaders across the world divine wisdom — wisdom rooted in truth, humility, and
compassion. Move the leaders of the United States, Israel, Iran and every nation in the region to resist the urge to continue or escalate this wave of violence against the people of Iran. Show them clear paths toward peace, justice, reconciliation, and healing. Strengthen those working tirelessly to bring relief, protection, and hope to the vulnerable.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

In the midst of the constant noise — the headlines, the arguments, the never-ending opinions — we pause to seek Your still, steady voice. Our nation feels weary, divided, and reactive. Lord, interrupt the chaos with Your peace. Slow the rush of anger, fear, and confusion, and help us to see beyond what screens and stories show us.

We confess how easily our hearts are pulled into the swirl of emotion and outrage. Teach us, instead, to respond with compassion, patience, and discernment. When the world shouts for attention, may we learn to listen for Your whisper of truth.

Help us to remember that every person — even those we disagree with — bears Your image and is loved by You. Empower Your Church to be different: quick to listen, slow to speak, and overflowing with grace. Let our actions and words point others toward Your healing love.

Lord, bring wisdom to leaders, integrity to journalism, humility to public discourse, and
gentleness to the hearts of Your people. May Your Spirit transform communities across our
country so that love becomes louder than fear, hope stronger than cynicism, and faith deeper than frustration.

Remind us that Your kingdom is not shaken by human conflict. In You, truth endures, mercy
triumphs, and light always overcomes darkness.

We ask this in the name of Jesus — our peace, our truth, and our hope.



PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

We thank You for calling us to walk in step with Your heart — a heart that sees, heals, and
restores. Today we lift before You the mission of Walking with a Purpose — the people we
serve, the families we meet, and the community we seek to transform in Your name.

Lord, strengthen our hands to meet immediate needs with compassion, and open our eyes to recognize the dignity in every person You place before us. Remind us that each act of kindness, each warm meal, and each moment of listening is a reflection of Your love made visible.

We ask for Your wisdom and courage as we work to reshape the way our world understands homelessness. Help us to see beyond circumstances and into stories of hope — to pursue change that honors Your justice, mercy, and grace.

Bless every volunteer, partner, and neighbor involved in this ministry. May Your Spirit sustain
their efforts and kindle hearts with renewed purpose. And Lord, may all that we do bring glory to You and draw others closer to the abundant life found in Christ.

In the name of Jesus, our companion and our guide, we pray.

Amen.



- Read by Erik Netterlund
- Written by Awaken Prayer Team








“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Groves

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

Lord establish your justice and righteousness across our world.The economic crisis in Iran, military confrontation with Israel, and even more strikes on Gaza leaving nothing but oppression and dehumanization. May full transformation grow and propagate from the rubble. Bring equity and human flourishing for all.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Our state is under ICE occupation. Hide our friends of color in the shadow of your wings. Protect the most vulnerable among us, and yet help us to locate those that need food, rent, and practical care. A star in the night that only the helpers can see. The mother at home, the spouse forced to work, the children needing their schools - bless them and keep them close to you. History is yet again proving the past is not in the past. We’re in a baptism that feels like burning, soothed in part by neighbors gathering together in sub-zero temperature to demand better. This is soul work of the highest order. Salt our city. Salt our collective soul.

For the people of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, who came before us and who have invited us, Awaken Community, to be among them now, we do thank you. Thank you for Redeemer's history, for their ministry, and for their welcome to us. Specifically this day, we thank you our God for providing through Redeemer a way for the Awaken garden ministry to continue. Use the Awaken garden to deepen the work of renewal and restoration in this land. Show us how to live out our values of justice, hospitality, and beauty as we go about the planting and watering, the weeding and harvesting. Multiply the bags of produce and the bouquets of flowers so that our neighbors will be extravagantly blessed by you, through Walking With a Purpose.



PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, we are tired and wrung out. Mostly for our neighbors, as we bear witness, but also because we are people who feel deeply. We’re not just watching horror, but carrying it. The images live in our bodies and sit on our chests. Our central nervous systems are on high alert and sounding the alarm.

It feels futile to grieve without a funeral: instead we have a constant, low-grade mourning we carry into meetings and grocery lines. It feels lonely to know so much, and still not know what to do. It feels shameful to have a good day when the world is on fire.

In this season of collective grief, threatening to swallow us whole, would you help us not look away? Would You help us hunt for Hope with the same intensity we feel the sorrow? And work out that Hope as a muscle, not a mood? Would you help us choose tenderness, especially when it costs us something?

Help us sit with the both/and: that the horror is real, and so is the love showing up to meet it. You. Are. Love.

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.



- Read by Joy Donley
- Written by Awaken Prayer Team








“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Groves

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

Holy abundance, we admit we all too often trade faith for 'if only' thinking. If only there wasn't war, or climate change, or racism, or disease, or poverty, or addiction, or abuse. If only we had more time, more money, more space, more sleep. If only we had a different leader, a different job, a different past, a different partner. If only we could get out of debt, get organized, get sober, get healthy. If only we'd study more, left earlier, planned better, tried harder.

God, we do believe your love is abundant, your grace is sufficient, and your work on the cross left nothing unfinished. So, like that dad in Mark's gospel seeking healing for his chronically ill son, we cry out "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief."

Thank you for hearing the yearnings of our hearts behind all those if only's, and thank you for reminding us that you are the God of hope.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Oh well of living water, we offer thanksgiving for this very land, Awaken's new community. You our God have led us into the great stream of people that has always lived and worked, always loved and worshipped on this peace of Earth. We give you praise.

For the Dakota people who came before us, and who are here still, we do thank you. Thank you for their life ways, and their example of stewardship of this land and water.

For the people of this Rondo neighborhood who came before us, and who are here still, we do thank you. Thank you for their legacies, and continued examples of family, productivity, and perseverance.

For the people of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, who came before us and who have invited us, Awaken Community, to be among them now, we do thank you. Thank you for Redeemer's history, for their ministry, and for their welcome to us. Specifically this day, we thank you our God for providing through Redeemer a way for the Awaken garden ministry to continue. Use the Awaken garden to deepen the work of renewal and restoration in this land. Show us how to live out our values of justice, hospitality, and beauty as we go about the planting and watering, the weeding and harvesting. Multiply the bags of produce and the bouquets of flowers so that our neighbors will be extravagantly blessed by you, through Walking With a Purpose.



PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

It's so easy to pray, "God change the world. God, change them." Forgive us for acting as if only you would, then we could get on with our lives. Oh God, instead fill us with the courage to pray, change us. God, change me. Make my attitude more curious, my actions more just, my words more authentic, towards myself and towards others. Give Awaken joy and peace as we trust in you. Make us to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of the well we gather around, in the name of Jesus, Amen.



- Read by Cheryl Overvig
- Written by Cheryl Overvig








“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Melody Olson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

Lord, we know there are many people who are being harmed by policy decisions made across the world. Today, we pray for the voices of activists who are being silenced, those suffering under occupation and colonialism, and the vulnerable communities being crushed by economic systems built to exploit. And for all those whose struggles go unseen, we lift them up to you as well. We ask you to embolden, sharpen, and strengthen those who have the ear of world leaders. May they be willing to speak truth to power and use their proximity to push back against oppression. Open the eyes and soften the hearts of those being misled and deceived so that we may reconcile our hearts to another, and as a united front fight back against the forces which seek to device us. And should we ourselves carry any mistruths that are not aligned with you, we ask you to keep our hearts humble and open to receiving your course correction.

Please bless and guide the work of our missional partner, International Justice Mission, as they continue your work of advocating for people suffering under modern day slavery, trafficking, and oppressive violence. Lord, we know you are filled with righteous anger when vulnerable people are subject to mistreatment and exploitation, so we ask you to continue empowering IJM as they influence public policy, demand greater protections from legal systems, bring perpetrators to justice, and pursue the holy work of liberation.

Lord, hear our prayer.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

God, we thank you so much for our new home at Redeemer, and for the hospitality of those we share this sacred space with. We pray that even in our times of wandering and when we may feel lost, that you remain our north star and offer a place of rest when home feels far away. We also ask that our community continues to be a lighthouse for those feeling lost, alone, and with nowhere to turn. May you continue to soften the hearts of each and every one of us, encouraging us to share our resources and blessing with others. Let us be a reminder to our surrounding community that Christ's arms are always a place that we can fall into.

Lord, hear our prayer.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, I won't pretend it's always easy to see your hand at work in the world right now. The pain, confusion, rage, it can feel all-consuming at times. And if I'm honest, I often feel lost and scattered in it. Unsure of where to turn or what promise of yours to fix my eyes on. Please give me, and others who also grapple with this, the courage to admit when we're disoriented, the humility to sit in the grief of what feels lost, and the faith to believe that even in the wilderness you are still leading us. I ask now that, in each of our lives you, give us the peace in our hearts to know that you still walk alongside us, and that our shared grief will not be in vain.

Amen.



- Read by Bailee Payne
- Written by Bailee Payne







“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, we stand in awe of your creation. We pray for our world, for places filled with violence, injustice and inequality. We pray for those fleeing unsafe lands and finding themselves here in our community. We thank you for the work of Jonathan House where so many have found safety and hope and a chance at a new life. We pray you continue to give strength to all who serve at Jonathan House to meet their needs.

Help us to see all of creation as you do, that we may work for all to see and know their value. We pray for those who need food and shelter and lack the necessities of everyday life.

Lord, in your mercy..


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

God we pray for our community as we step into a season of change. While a building doesn’t define our community, this space is a reminder of memories both joyful and difficult, we remember baptisms and confirmations, we have celebrated births and unions and mourned loses, we have been challenged to wrestle with our faith and learned from one another, we have found solace and community and acceptance and love with one another in these pews and this building. May we cherish and celebrate these memories and hold them close as we leave St James. Let us look with anticipation and excitement as we move towards a new place to call home for Awaken.

Lord, in your mercy..


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God sometimes life can be a struggle and its not easy to show up as the best versions of ourselves. Help us to show one another grace, to say sorry when we need to, to forgive others and forgive ourselves. For this season of short days and long nights may we find light and joy in you and one another.

We pray for those who wrestle with knowing you and what they believe. For those who might be struggling with who they are or who they love, may they know this is a place of welcome and acceptance where they can show up as themselves. And God may each of us know how much you love us exactly where we are, just as we are.

Lord, in your mercy..



- Read by Becky Potter
- Written by Becky Potter






“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, our world needs you. So many across the globe are struggling and hurting, hungry and facing violence. We ask you to show your face in unexpected places, and bring your peace through your boundless love. Lord, our polarized country is facing uncertain times and needs your grace. Show us how to walk in your ways and help restore what is broken. May your healing presence somehow surface in our streets and our homes this week.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

God, thank you for this community called Awaken and all the communities we collectively touch. Teach us to love as you love, show us your ways and help us to live them out. May we truly be peacemakers who cross the street and shake a hand with someone different than ourselves. Thank you also for our missional partners, Walking With A Purpose. People who love and care for those without homes who are often overlooked. May all those involved, from those who need care to those who give care, receive all that they need, and see you in one another's faces.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, we ask you to awaken the very depths of our being, our truest selves, our wisest voices. In knowing you, may we discover who we really are and live out the unique image of you that each of us carries. Help us to love you and our neighbors, and help us to learn to genuinely love ourselves as well.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.




 - Read by Julia Holtze
- Written by Julia Holtze






“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, we entrust and desperately seek you to continue to move mountains and provide peace and security to the billions of people on this planet we call Earth who do not know peace, who are experiencing insecurity in real terms, and who are blameless for not having their basic needs met. Holy Spirit, your limitless and endless grace and mercy are real and boundless. While we as humans lack the ability to understand how atrocities and suffering can exist while you are the great composer, we always have hope for comfort and unity among all people and nations. Thank you for showing us we are all your children, and are innately capable of having our hearts softened, provide compassion for others, and live our lives in love. We ask, through your Spirit, that suffering souls shall find solace and escape the evil in this world. In your name we pray.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Most High, you are the glue of all humans who are innately connected in this holy community and in the communities we live and participate in. We pray that we act as servants and stewards to all people we know, encounter, and actively consider those we may see but overlook. You have shown our community how to exemplify and manifest this in the West 7th neighborhood, and we pray that we continue our mission in the Rondo area which has a huge need for unity and service. We pray that we may proceed with leaving this building and community better than we entered it, and integrate into the Rondo community with dignity and humility. In your name we pray.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

Holy Spirit, we seek, knock, and ask that through you we may see and feel the flesh of your true being. We realize that we will never be able to comprehend you, but your essence is palatable and tangible in our lives, primarily through other beings. God, we pray that we will come to understand our lives to be lived through the spiritual realm which manifests in this material world. We come as individuals with very unique skills, talents, trials, mistakes, and flaws. Those very aspect that define us as perfectly imperfect.

We pray that you would give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Not only to hear, but more specifically to listen to the soft spoken voice audibly heard through our brothers and sisters. I pray for our very lives to not overcome, but to actively sit with the pangs in our hearts and praise you in gratitude for what we do have. In this moment, we are fundamentally okay. I pray we may be where our feet are. In your name we pray.



- read by Mitchell Weissman
- written by Mitchell Weissman







“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, we lift our prayers to you for the world. We cry out to you over the war in Gaza, and the deep-seated conflict between Israel and Palestine. The disregard for human life is atrocious, the suffering is devastating. We also cry out to you over the deep divisions in our country around politics, social issues, equity, and race. We are living in challenging times, and many times we simply don't know what to pray, and how to hope. Spirit, we ask that you would intercede for us and guide us in prayer and action. 

To you we look and ask, Lord have mercy.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

God, we lift up our prayers to you for our community. Specifically today, we ask for your comfort as we grieve the death of Chris Spang. We ache for, and with, Sara and Olivia, and ask that you would be their refuge in this time of grief. For the children in Kids Community who Mr. Chris taught, may you tenderly care for the sadness and confusion they are feeling.

To you we look and ask, Lord have mercy.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, we lift our prayers to you for our lives. Amidst the turmoil and heartache we are experiencing, we desire to also live lives filled with gratitude. So often we take for granted the privilege and provision we have. We can easily get overwhelmed and pessimistic about life. So often we take for granted the good happening in our lives. God, we pray that you would cultivate in us thankful hearts. That we would be mindful of sharing our gratitude with you, and with others.

To you we look and ask, Lord have mercy.



- read by Cathy Solomon
- written by Cathy Solomon







“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

We thank you for the warming of our days, and the rain to feed our plants. We thank you for the season of sunshine that is coming upon us. But while the earth is gaining life, we want to pray for those who are losing theirs. We pray to you, Lord, to aid those suffering in conflict.

We ask that you would extend your hand to any who need it in such a hard time. More so, we wish for the strength to see others how you do. We pray that everyone on the earth can look past their differences to honor your blossoming creation.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Lord, we all have challenges that we are currently facing, and challenges that are yet to come. It can be nearly impossible to see the world through another person's lens rather than our own. Give us patience and empathy that we may walk humbly with one another as your children, while showing the same love and mercy that has been shown to us. Keep us on the path that leads to your grace and abounding kindness.

We pray for the strength to persevere through the trials we are now facing and will face in the future. May you open our eyes to see the bigger picture, and guide us with your hands according to your will.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

Dear God, as the season changes into summer and some of us take our vacations from the driving day-in day-out rhythm that defines our lives, I pray for an expanding of our perspectives. It is often easy for us to sit back in the comfort of summer and push away all dark corners of our broken world, and simply embrace the select positives.

I pray you let us not be in ignorance of the brokenness, but that we would embrace it. Not so that it will interrupt our happiness, but so that it will sow compassion for those who have no opportunity to take the time to enjoy their lives, whether it be due to war, poverty, illness, trauma, loneliness or loss. I pray that you provide this compassion with a backbone of responsibility, so that we may be active in their lives as well.

In all this I pray that when we look at the world we don't see broken forces in action, but see the human movement of love in your word.



Prayers written and read by Awaken Confirmation Students:
- Maria Heim
- Zane Miles
- Levi Berry







“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, we thank you for the shifting of the seasons. For the new leaves unfurling, and the sunlight that lasts a little longer each evening, and the reminder these things bring us that death doesn't get the last word.

When we look at the world it can be easy to see only the brokenness, for there is plenty of it. Painful relationships, violent conflicts, ongoing patterns of lack and loss. We ask that you would bring peace and healing to all of these situations, giving hope to people who are suffering, and causing hearts that are hardened to soften and change.

Help us to take good care of your creation and the people in it, to keep dreaming of how the world could be.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Lord, it is easy to always be rushing onward to escape a place or season we'd rather not be in, or strive towards some future that seams smoother and brighter. Help us to slow down and truly see the people in places that are right in front of us, and help us discern how to love them well. Thank you for the many ways people are already doing this, both through official organizations, and in small daily actions such as sharing meals or opening their homes.

We pray for the folks in our congregation and neighborhoods who are tired, or discouraged, or facing things that are difficult or painful. Would you surround them with the people and resources they need.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, we thank you for all the things you have given us. The skills and abilities, dreams and talents, time and resources, belongings and desires. May we be brave enough to hold them with open hands. May we be people who choose to live generously, being mindful of the impact our actions have on others, and choosing kindness over serving ourselves.

Help us remember that while this way of living can feel risky and difficult, we don't have to do it alone, for you promise to always be with us. Help us to be listening for your voice, and to step into what it calls us to, rest or risk or whatever we need.



- read by Brienna Rossiter
- written by Brienna Rossiter







“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

We gather before you, mindful of the worlds vastness and its interconnectedness. Grant us the wisdom to see beyond borders and differences, to embrace the beauty of diversity, and to foster unity in our shared humanity.

May peace reign in every corner of the earth, replacing conflict with understanding, fear with compassion, and hatred with love. In your infinite grace, hear our prayer for a world filled with peace, harmony, and abundant blessings for all.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

We come before you with grateful hearts, recognizing the profound work being done through the International Justice Mission, IJM. As they tirelessly strive to combat injustice and defend the oppressed, we lift them up in prayer.

Bless the hands and hearts of those who work with IJM. Grant them strength, courage, and unwavering determination in their pursuit of justice. Guide their efforts to rescue victims of slavery, violence, and exploitation, bringing them from darkness into light. May their mission continue to be a beacon of hope shining brightly in the darkest corners of our world.

Bless those who suffer from injustice, poverty, and oppression, that they may find solace in your comforting embrace and strength in our solidarity.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

As the warmth of spring and summer draw near, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the changing seasons and the blessings they bring. In this time of anticipation, we thank you for the beauty of creation that surrounds us. The vibrant colors of blooming flowers, the rain feeding the ground, the gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and the soothing warmth of the sun upon our skin.

Grant us the wisdom to savor each moment of the seasons splendor, to find joy in simple pleasures, and to cherish the company of loved ones. Guide our steps as we embark on new adventures, explore unfamiliar paths, and embrace the opportunities for growth and renewal that these seasons offer.

As we bask in the sunshine of your grace, may our hearts be filled with gratitude, our spirits uplifted, and our souls refreshed.



-read by Keely Finnegan






“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, may your ever present love surround humanity like a beautiful song. Give our world the language of value, care, peace and wisdom.

Be ever present with those who lack this language and have carried pain through. Let your kingdom change lives.

Be ever present with those who have faced this pain. Let your kingdom be their haven.


PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

God, may your ever present love surround our people like a swelling melody. Give our community the strength to make real change.

Be with our missional partners, such as the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. Let their work have deep impact to those who suffer from oversight in our state policies. Let our involvement bring life to those left behind.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, may your ever present love surround my heart like a resonant tone. Give me eyes to see the life I’m living, ears to hear the words I’m speaking. Stir in my soul as I learn to live.

Rest in my soul as I learn to be.
Let me find you in every song.


-read by Kirby Groves
-written by Kirby Groves






 
“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

INTRODUCTION

Last week Micah spoke of love, the complexities in trying to put a firm definition around this thing called love as well as the simplicity of it – God is love. Our prayers this week focus on the knowledge that love is real, in action, demonstrated in so many ways and we live in gratitude for this.


PRAYERS FOR THE WORLD

Most Heavenly Father, this world, brought into being by You, is not of Your kingdom today.
There is sin throughout the world. Hurts are experienced and lived by so many people. And our hearts bleed for those in these circumstances. Yet, we also know that your love is made real in so many ways. The natural wonders of the world, and the art that we are blessed by, are nearly infinite as we think about them, evidence of Your handiwork whether directly made by You or created through forces and blessings You unleased over time.

We have many throughout the world that seek justice whether through organizations like;
the International Justice Mission, seeking the freedom of individuals enslaved;
 
We thank You for the abundant evidence of Your love throughout the world. We thank you for those who bring Your love to countless others throughout the world. May we not lose sight of the love that is so pervasive in so many ways throughout the world.

We pray in gratitude and love.


PRAYERS FOR THE COMMUNITY

Most Heavenly Father, these same circumstances are present in our own community today.
Many  seek to address the effects of these sins and to bring love and care for others so that healing may occur. Groups like:


We lift up all of those engaged with and committed to these types of ministries;  being Your hands and feet in our community. May we see and know that Your love that is being brought to the fore every day in our community.

We pray in gratitude and love.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

Most Heavenly Father, your love is real and tangible, and yet mysterious as well. May each of us choose your love. May all aspects of our beings be influenced so that we are part of this thing called love. In being part of love may we speak with and of others with nothing less than full respect, may we care for others emotionally, physically, and spiritually. May we give freely of our time and resources seeking a world where Your love pervades so thoroughly that light dominates and darkness recedes.

May each of us listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit such that we act in these ways each day and that we engage in a manner that best uses the gifts bestowed upon us, by You, to live fully and freely in the love You’ve graciously blessed us with. Thank You for this gift called love.

We pray in gratitude and love.

“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.

PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

God, we know you are an Advocate for the oppressed, a Voice to the voiceless, and that your heart breaks for those in pain around the world. Please give us your eyes to see and ears to hear the cries of those, especially children, who are suffering under violent and oppressive systems. Please teach us not to turn away from suffering, but to bear witness to it. May we strive to extend your mercy, to sit with those in pain, to help carry the burdens of others, and to be your hands and feet.

Please bless the work of our missional partner, Jonathan House, as they continue to provide shelter, hope, and healing for those seeking asylum. We pray protection over the persecuted and those fleeing their homes for safety. May they find home, refuge, and restored hope.

Lord, hear our prayer.


PRAYER FOR THE COMMUNITY

Lord, we pray for those around us who are grieving the loss of a loved one or suffering the loss of connection, we know that this pain can be especially poignant this time of year. We ask that you comfort those in their sorrow, and connect those who are isolated with genuine community. We pray that the barriers that separate us from each other fall, that our connection with each other grows, that our relationships flourish, and that the hardships we experience only bring us closer together instead of tearing us apart.

Lord, hear our prayer.


PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, we ask that you help us grow in gratitude and step out courageously with generosity. We ask You to stir conviction in our hearts, give us opportunities to see the need in others, and to give beyond our comfort zone. We ask that you heal and transform our hearts so that we can be a source of healing and comfort for others as well. Please teach us to be compassionate, patient, and gentle with others and, in turn, with ourselves too.

Amen.

“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance
© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!
Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
Performed by Halle Hanson

Once a month, we invite a member of our community to write and share prayers for the world, our community, and our lives during the service. In between, the body sings a refrain in spiritual agreement of the prayers. The goal is to hear from a diversity of voices in this space (in age, gender, culture, etc), and to spark creativity and encouragement in your own prayer life. Email Katherine if you’re interested in sharing your prayers with the community.