Prayers of the People: January 2025

Jan 5, 2025

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

Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated

Performed by Halle Hanson