Lutheran Church of the Palms

Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you make Holy our earthly pain. You gave us the example of obedience to your Father’ s will even to death on the cross for our Salvation.  Be near us in our times of weakness, fear and pain; sustain us by your grace, that our strength and courage may not fail; heal us according to you will; and help us always to believe that what happens to us here matters little because you hold us in eternal life.  We especially pray for Maureen Face who suffered a fall and broke her femur. She is recuperating at Oak Park Health & Rehab.  We pray also for Pastor Joy, for the Mehl family, especially for Christopher and Angela,  Alicia Keiler and anyone else known or unknown to us in need of your healing, comfort and peace. 

 

We pray for the those lost in the Air India plane crash and on the ground. We pray for their families and friends as they grieve their losses. We give thanks for miracles- for the sole survivor, thrown from the plane and that he is doing well and is out of danger. 

 

We pray for the Ukrainian people and the Palestinians who continue to suffer under the burdens of war and hunger. Make us responsive to their suffering and needs. 

 

We thank you for sending the rains to soothe the parched places where we live but pray that areas enduring heavy and consistent rain and violent weather are saved from flooding and devastating destruction. 

 

We are sad O Lord. We are disappointed, fearful and angry.  Like the psalmists before us we lament many things: 

 

Let us lament the world's thirst for war over peace
Let us lament leaders and people who have turned their backs to truth and historical fact

Let us lament the loss of values that embrace enlightened education and the institutions that support it

Let us lament leaders and lawmakers who no longer follow the rule of law  

Let us lament lost values and principles that recognize the importance of medical, and scientific research 
Let us lament governments that choose to turn on their own people

Let us lament all those touched by gun violence
Let us lament laws that allow easy access to guns

Let us lament the the loss of free unbiased journalism and news 

Let us lament an attitude that no longer welcomes but demonizes all immigrants

Let us lament hearts broken by loss 
Let us lament lives cut short from violence of all types 

Let us lament, O God, and then let us rise up to earnestly work for change

 

When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide. Help us to find calm and serenity in Your presence, and joyful purpose in doing Your will.

In the beginning you beamed light that shines in the darkest hour, Light that no darkness could overcome: We pray for that light-your light

Pierce the soul of this nation with your light, And enlighten everyone with your divine wisdom.
Pierce the soul of this nation with your light,
And blind the demons of violence and hate.
Pierce the soul of this nation with your light,
That our every breath draws in hope
May our hands grasp with strength to hold on to truth and justice 
May our innards gird us with all might
And our hearts pump the lifeblood of an unlikely, luminous new beginning being born.  

 

Be with all nations of the world for we all struggle with the same issues and problems and we are all inextricably linked through a global economy and shared living space here on earth. We are all your people called to live in love and relationship with one another. Help us to treasure our friends and allies and to seek to understand foes and enemies and reconcile ourselves one to another. Our strength is in you and in one another- in community. Continue to forgive our sinfulness and brokenness. Teach and guide us in your ways- the ways of love, truth, justice, and peace. 

 

Amen