Prayers of the People, Lent 2B

​Almighty God,

Your grieving children cry out
from under their desk tops,
fearful and trembling,
and from paved streets,
in solidarity,
and from their graves ...
some green
and some still wet from tears.

Is this how it feels to be blessed?
Cowering in fear?
Imprisoned in classrooms?
Ridiculed by lawmakers?
Condescended to instead of supported,
comforted,
uplifted,
and protected?

Where is your covenant now, God?
Where is your blessing?
Where, Almighty God,
Covenant-Maker,
Blessing-Giver,
are you?
We long to hear your voice,
to feel your presence
in our grief
and in our shock
and in our fear.

Come close, we pray.
Your children need you.
Reassure us of your promise
to be our God.
Reassure us,
so we might reassure one another,
that you are here ...
that you are listening ...
that you are acting
in and through your people,
in and through your children,
whose fierce courage is greater
than any adult leader.

Embolden your people, we pray,
to speak truth to power,
to listen to opposing viewpoints,
to value life ahead of privilege,
to choose love over fear,
and courage when confronted with choice.
In the name of all that is holy, Almighty God,
be present with your people
according to your everlasting covenant.

Amen.