Prayers of the People, P13C

​The wheel turns, O God, and your people cry for mercy.
Reshape us into a people of love by your guiding hand.
Reshape our collective destiny according to your will.

Hear the prayers of those victimized by our rebellion ...
those killed mercilessly by strangers raging with hate
and wielding weapons of war ...
those targeted by groups who claim superiority
according to their race,
or gender,
or belief system,
or traditional values,
or status ...
those judged unfairly because of their appearance,
their gender identity,
the people they love.
Put your words in the mouth of your church, we pray,
and send us out to speak truth to power,
to right the wrongs that have created such evil,
and to walk in step with those who suffer.
Out of your great compassion, Lord,
build up the marginalized,
and give them hope.

The storm spins, O God, and your people cry out for mercy.
Speak calm into the chaos of creation.
Redirect the winds and rain, the fire and flame,
that your created order may be spared of its fury.

Hear the prayers of those who are grieving as Job.
Commission your church to go to places of devastation
and serve ...
to build and to plant,
to restore and renew,
to uplift and encourage,
that all who have been affected
may know the wonder of your unending love
for your people.

The rhetoric whirls, O God, and your people cry for mercy.
Heal our brokenness, and make us whole
that our relationships may reflect
the love in which you created us,
and carry healing to the world
in the form of grace.