Loving God,
we come to you in prayer this morning,
not because we are helpless, 
but because we know where our help comes from,
from you. 

Hear our prayers, 
and transform our lives,
that we might be bold in action,
wise in thought,
and peaceful in soul.

We pray today for the world,
for the right use of our natural resources,
for the joy of nature’s beauty,
for the devastation of nature’s power. 

We pray today for the nations,
for all those at war,
and those who trade,
and those who are isolated.
We pray for the end of violence, prejudice, and revenge,
that people might know
they have neighbors across borders,
siblings in every nation on earth. 

We pray today for our own nation,
as we take part in our democratic process. 
We pray for voices of wisdom, compassion, and respect to rise above the fray,
and that we might learn to trust each other
rather than blame one another.
We pray that we would remember your sovereignty over it all,
that our hope is in you alone, 
not in any human. 

We pray today for families,
in whatever form they take,
that people might have a safe place to belong,
and a knowledge that they are loved. 
We pray especially for families that marred by violence or abuse,
teach us that such pain was never your intention for us,
protect and liberate victims,
work in the hearts of perpetrators,
and open the eyes of bystanders,
that all your children might think 
that the word home is a beautiful one. 

We pray today for all those who are weary today,
for those carrying the burden of physical and mental illnesses,
for those who grieve the past or fear the future,
for those who juggle too much,
with too little support or relief. 
Give rest to the weary, Lord. 
May your spirit breathe new life into them,
peace to carry them through the day,
and courage to try again. 

We pray now for the special concerns of this congregation:

[prayers of the congregation may be spoken here]

God, we lift to you these and all other prayer of our hearts. 

And now we pray as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.