Sunday's Prayer

Good and Gracious God, we gather in your presence this day seeking to offer you praise. You, who created the heavens and the earth, also created us. Rich in diversity yet strong in our commonalities, we seek to draw closer to you. Enfold us now in the embrace of your love. Lift us from the midst of our daily lives to see you; to know you; to be nurtured in love of you – for you alone give purpose to our living.

Hear us now as we offer prayers for those who need your healing touch – prayers for those we have named here and those we name now in our hearts… You call us, always, to look beyond ourselves, to look beyond our troubles and to pray for the needs of others – so we offer prayers for those close to home, like children here in Jacksonville who have no place to call home; and we offer prayers for those across your world, like the invisible children of the Sudan... Bring them healing; bring them peace.

Hear us now as we offer prayers for those who need your strengthening touch – a prayer for courage to take a stand to fight injustice and oppression and racism. Help us to be mindful in the simple things we can do, such as refusing to call names, or to spread gossip, or to share hateful/hurtful words… You call us to listen to one another in love; to listen with hearts filled with your love. Help us to hear and to respond to your call...

And hear us now as we offer prayers for our congregation, your church, and for its mission and ministry in this place. Be with our Pastoral Search Committee as they discern the best candidate for our next senior minister. May their deliberation be clear and their discernment follow your will… Be with the leaders of our congregation as they continue to lead us to follow your vision. May we continue to live out our witness of your grace – sharing your love through ministry in this community. Help us strengthen our ties to one another and deepen our relationship with you. We know if we do these things, we will be empowered to share you with all we meet. Bless our time of transition; may it be rich in growth.

God of mercy, your steadfast love endures forever; your faithfulness to all generations. Fill us now with your Spirit that we might walk always in your way. Through Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen.