Prayers of the People, Lent 4C

Gathered into the circle of healing, Lord,
we call upon your name.
We lift our prayers to you ...
prayers of thanksgiving for the miraculous journey
that has led us to this place in our lives,
prayers from the deepest places within
where we recognize our unworthiness
and cannot begin to put into words
our expressions of gratitude.

Hear our prayers for those who have not seen
the fulfillment of your promises,
who have longed to see the Promised Land
and have died in the wilderness along the way.
Comfort those who grieve their loss,
and be for them a mighty fortress
as they seek to live out the promise
of hope
in memory of those who went before and set the path.

Hear our prayers for those who lead us
into new territory
to be the people you have called us to be.
Grant them wisdom and courage
to direct your people according to your Word.
Remind them of the many ways
you have led your people before
and inspire them to reflect meaningfully
on what that means for your people going forward.
Teach them to listen, Lord,
to you and to one another,
and to look to your law of love to govern
and to guide.

O Lord, be present at our tables,
as both host and honored guest,
and season our conversations
with kindness and with grace.
May we be ever mindful of those who do not have
bread to eat
that we might commit ourselves to working for a world
where all will be fed.
Bless each one whose labor has contributed
to the meals we are blessed to share:
from the producer to the trucker to the grocer to the cook,
that they might prosper by your hand.
May our bodies be so nourished by the gifts of the earth
and our spirits by these moments in community
that we will be fortified to return to the work
you have called us to do.

May it be so.
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