Lord, you gather us together each week, just as the harvest is
gathered at the end of a growing season. Our intention is to leave this building renewed and reconnected with
you ... we seek to walk in the world as Jesus taught us.
But the distractions of the world and our limited capacity to
concentrate pull us away from that walk and from you. We are grateful that you welcome us back each week and continue to
plant the seeds of your love and compassion within us.
Loving God, sometimes we feel like we are pummeled by life. We are like a fragile seedling facing a barrage of wind and water. We are battered by the interactions we have with one another and the
world around us. People hurt and disappoint us, physical illnesses challenge our
bodies, mental illness clouds our minds. We carry sorrow, fear and anxiety in our hearts.
God you are the giver of life and the source of our healing. We beseech you to cleanse our hearts and heal our lives. We pray for your hurting world. We pray for the people who are physically hungry and in need of clean
water. We uplift those who fervently seek justice and equality.
Be with your children who live under the threat of violence and war. God we ask you to shine your light into the dark places of this
world.
Grant us each a compassionate heart ... fill us with insight and
creativity to actively seek solutions to the issues that erode your planet and
damage your children. Allow your seeds of love, justice and mercy to grow within all of our
leaders and those who work for change.
As members of the Chicago community, we know that the rising
temperatures of summer can be accompanied by rising violence in our
neighborhoods and our streets. We pray for the victims of violence, for their grieving families and for the ripples of damage that this violence has on our
communities and our souls.
God of all creation, you live among us. Send your spirit to reside in each of us and calm our fears, cool our
anger and ignite a fire to continue the work of your Kingdom.
God be with our Elders who gather today to support the work of this
church. We have imagined a future for this congregation, and we seek to match
our dreams with the plans that you have for us. Be with our church leaders as they seek to stitch together a budget
for the coming year, as they call people to serve on Boards and Committees, and
as they plant the seeds of seeking, connecting and serving in our hearts.
Active and loving creator, Our building is a busy place this
week. We delight that children will fill our hallways and lawns each night
with their energy and curiosity during our Vacation Bible School. The sounds of our children, and the loving leadership of our
volunteers are gifts to our church and our community.
Please be with us as we prepare to welcome the Chicago Presbytery into
our church home on Tuesday. May our
diligent preparations provide a welcoming and comfortable place for this larger
faith community to gather.
Mother/Father God, we know that as your children, we are wondrously
made! When our lives seem unordered and random, we take comfort in knowing
that you have a plan for each of us. You have placed people in our lives to comfort, support and walk by
our side through disorder. You have written on our hearts dreams and desires. You have given each of us gifts, skills and talents to use in the
building of your kingdom.
God we know that you continue to plant small seeds within each of
us. Help us to nurture those seeds so they grow abundantly and spread
branches of faith and love to your people everywhere.
We are so grateful for your passionate love for us, for the gift of your spirit within us ... and for your relentless
encouragement to be a part of a Kingdom that is always moving forward. We gather as your people to pray together …
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