Prayers of the People, L2C

​Almighty God,
you have promised peace,
even sending your Son to be the Prince of Peace,
though we crucified him,
and we continue to crucify each other.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayers for the peace you have promised.
We grow weary in our waiting
for your promises to be made real in our midst.
As your children die
senselessly
in schools
and in homes
and in houses of worship ...
places that should be safe
are instead places of horrendous tragedy.
Be present, O God,
with those who grieve
and grant comfort in these times of trial,
and make of your people everywhere,
peacemakers,
who will bring hope to the hopeless
in places of conflict and strife
that violence will cease
and love will prevail
in your name.

Creator God,
you have silenced the storm
and soothed the waves,
and promised to be our refuge and our strength.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayers for the strength you have promised.
We find ourselves asking, "How long, Lord?"
in the face of nature's ire.
From the eye of the tornado
and the depths of the floods,
from the blinding blizzard
and the incessant rain,
and the bottom of the avalanche,
we call to you on behalf of those evacuated
and those who get caught in the midst of the mess.
Be present, O God,
with those who are displaced,
with those who have lost much,
with those who are struggling to survive,
and make of your people everywhere,
rescuers,
who will reach out and provide,
sharing from our own blessings
to lift up those who have been
struck down,
so that they might find the
strength
to stand again.

Merciful God,
you have promised newness of life
in lands unknown
where generations will prosper
beyond our imagination.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayers for leadership
that leads us to this promise
faithfully
and with great courage.
From places of fear
and frustration
and foolishness
and even faith,
we call to you,
begging you to remember your covenant,
and to deliver your people everywhere
from this agony of waiting
and restore to us
the promise of salvation
as we journey through the wilderness
of Lent,
that we might encourage one another
with the stories of your faithfulness
and in acts of worship
forever and ever.