Pastoral Prayer, P+11C

God, our Fortress,
the weary come to you for rest,
the fearful come to you for assurance,
the hopeless come to you for hope,
the humbled come to you for grace.
Exhausted by the turmoil of our world,
we crawl into your welcoming arms
looking for restoration.
Hear our prayers for strength, O God.
                   
Be present with your people
in battle-torn territories,
grieving the loss of their homes
and their livelihoods
and their security
and those they love.
                   
Be present, we pray, with those
who are starving for nutrition,
for connection,
for joy,
for hope.
                   
Be present, merciful God, with those
whose voices have been silenced
and those who speak on their behalf,
with those whose needs are great
and those who have the power to address them,
with those whose liberty is threatened
and those who have pledged to protect it.
                   
Work in and through your church
in this community
and around the world
to create places of refuge and hope
for all who need it.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.