Sundays after Epiphany
Prayer
Pastoral Prayers For All Seasons
Object:
We are not always sure how to pray, Eternal Spirit. We don't know if we should explain how we see things, or describe the corrections we think need to be made, or point out that some persons should be made to apologize and others given praise. Likely you already know all these things; therefore there's no need to go over the same ground, a second or third time.
Then again, God, we want to make sure that you hear our story from us. We're greatly concerned for those we love, and those we fear. It's important to us that we speak directly to you.
Pardon us when we are testy, and hear us beneath our words, for we want to know your will and follow it. We cannot live fully in your world if we choose to be at cross purposes with your ways.
We do care deeply for the people for whom we pray, but that doesn't mean that we always know what to request on their behalf. It would be easier to ask for healing every time we pray, but sometimes healing isn't going to occur. We do die, so sometimes shouldn't we pray that our friends die peacefully -- secure in your presence? And we often pray that pain be taken away, and yet it may be the needed factor to guide us or them back to health and wholeness.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being with us when we are unsettled and unsure. How good it is that we can come to you regardless of our circumstances.
Continue, O God, to teach us how to pray. Amen.
Then again, God, we want to make sure that you hear our story from us. We're greatly concerned for those we love, and those we fear. It's important to us that we speak directly to you.
Pardon us when we are testy, and hear us beneath our words, for we want to know your will and follow it. We cannot live fully in your world if we choose to be at cross purposes with your ways.
We do care deeply for the people for whom we pray, but that doesn't mean that we always know what to request on their behalf. It would be easier to ask for healing every time we pray, but sometimes healing isn't going to occur. We do die, so sometimes shouldn't we pray that our friends die peacefully -- secure in your presence? And we often pray that pain be taken away, and yet it may be the needed factor to guide us or them back to health and wholeness.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being with us when we are unsettled and unsure. How good it is that we can come to you regardless of our circumstances.
Continue, O God, to teach us how to pray. Amen.
