Prayers of the People, Pentecost B

​God Almighty!
What on earth are we to do?
Our bones lie in heaps of dry desperation;
we are grieved beyond our capacity
to function.
Again, O Lord!
It has happened again!
And one of our children has spoken and said
she was not surprised
because it is happening everywhere ...
why wouldn't a gunman open fire
in her school as well?
If we have no hope for a better tomorrow,
how can we possibly stand under the weight
of our despair?
We no longer even have the strength to shout,
"ENOUGH!"
Parents are grieving the loss of their children.
Children are grieving the loss of their siblings.
Communities are grieving the loss of their innocence.

Great Physician,
we are beyond angry ...
we are numb.
Terminal illness steals precious time
from those who long to embrace it,
to stop it,
to cherish it,
before it is gone too soon.
Your children have lost their faith in miracles;
they no longer call on your name,
because they cannot reconcile a loving God
with their circumstances.

Spirit, breathe new life into your people!
Raise up a people whose passion cannot be suffocated,
whose spirits cannot be broken.
Enliven your people, O God,
that hope may be restored.
Your kingdom come ... your will be done ...
on earth as it is in Heaven.
In the name of all that is holy, God,
hear our prayers!