Prayers of the People, Epiphany 2B

​We know a man
who cannot do
what he came here to do
because of the color of his skin,
because of his religious affiliation,
because of the place from which he came.
We know him,
and he is one of us.

We know a woman
who struggles
to speak her truth
because she fears retribution,
because she feels isolated or ashamed,
because she does not know to whom she can speak it.
We know her,
and she is one of us.

We know a child
who longs to be free
from the bullying behavior
of peers
and authority figures
and societal norms.
We know that child,
and that child is one of us.

We know a human
who boldly lives authentically, and
who aches for acceptance,
and yearns to be called "beloved."
We know that human,
and that human is one of us.

We know one
who is hurting,
grieving,
sinking,
striving;
one for whom answers
are slow
and vague
and sometimes despairing.
We know one,
and that one is one of us.

We know a Savior,
a gentle,
inclusive,
merciful,
loving
Redeemer,
who welcomes
and empowers
and protects
and accepts
and heals
and comforts
and strengthens.
We know a Savior,
and we call upon him now.
Amen.