Father, your Sons and Daughters come before you with our petitions and our praise. You are worthy, for we have seen your works. When the people were hungry you fed them all by your hand. When Thomas doubted you showed him your scars. Mary was crushed by the death of her brother and you wept with her. The Leper was sick Lord and you healed him. Peter rejected you but you restored and commissioned him. Zacchaeus was despised by all and you broke bread with him. Israel was in bondage and you freed them. Jesus was crucified yet forgave the murderers.

Earlier we confessed to you our sins, those things that we should do but didn’t and those things that we shouldn’t do but did. Lies, pride, sexual sin, drunkenness, greed, idolatry, violence, neglect of the poor, worldliness, slander, prayerlessness, lack of faith...prejudice...the list goes on…all forgiven, wiped clean by the mercy and grace found in you during our time of need. Blessed be the name of the Lord for you redeem us and call us to a new life where hope, truth, grace, and love reign. It is right and worthy to praise you Father.

Lord much of what surrounds us right now is full of fear and anger, desperation. The sick, the jobless, the victims of injustice…their voices cry out. Hear them Father, hear our prayers. Wipe the tears from eyes and give them strength. Bring righteousness to this world. Empower us by your Spirit to be a part of this work. Let us not forget all of the ones you care so much for. Thy kingdom come.

It is hard during times like these to ground our being, our place and identity. We can hear the siren of our culture reaching out to us. The promise of acceptance, fulfillment, justice, and happiness it offers. Serve me it says, and I will love you. Father, turn our eyes upon you. Remind us of who we are. We are yours! Crafted in your image, endowed with dignity and value. Save us from our tribalism Lord. We are not the world’s, or America’s, or somebody’s slur…we are yours. Secure our humanity in the ever loving arms of your embrace.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

— A Prayer By Jason Downing for 6/7/20