Prayers of the People, OT20B

​Hearts ache in agony.
Grief overwhelms to the point of despair.
Losing our beloved is painful.
Hear our cries, O God!
Hear our cries for those who have led us
to places of joy and celebration,
to moments of victory,
to faithful service.
Hear our cries for those who have walked beside us
in times of trial and of challenge,
and who have loved us unconditionally,
who have held our stories
and have shown us how to live them valiantly
regardless of the circumstances around us ...
and maybe in spite of them.

We are drowning in fear, O God!
We are terrified of the consequences
of leaders without experience,
leaders lacking even temperament
and a strong moral compass.
Hear our prayers for wisdom and discernment,
but also for a heart that is open to guidance
and for a community of support
that can offer what is lacking
with courage and with integrity.

Be present with your people, Lord,
as we transition to new roles,
seeking to live our your claim on our lives
in new and exciting ways.
Open our ears to your voice.
Open our eyes to your activity among us.
Open our hearts to your Spirit,
that we may bring compassion to those who are hurting
and justice to the marginalized
and hope to the hopeless
and reassurance to those who are suffering under the abuse of power.

In the name of Christ we pray,
Amen