Sundays after Easter
Prayer
Pastoral Prayers For All Seasons
Object:
We come before you, our Savior, just as we are. You, and perhaps only you, know what is happening inside us. You see our fear. You know what courage we need just to meet the challenges of everyday life. Our faces smile and our words are the same ones we've always used, but inside behind the bravado, we are hoping no one will see the uncertainty of our smile or hear the tremor underneath our words.
You see our worry. You know the true nature of our burdens. Sometimes, just by the way life unravels, we must adjust to a heavier load. But other times we take onto ourselves schedules that overload us, problems that can't be solved, and cares that rightfully belong to others. We confess that we cannot always tell which is ours and which belong to someone else.
You see our lack of self-forgiveness. You know how hard we are on ourselves. The patience we offer others, we deny ourselves. Life has become bleak, gray, unfocused because we have decided -- day in and day out -- to punish ourselves.
So we come to you, not from rational thought, but from overwhelming need. We are incomplete, but you can make us whole. We are weary, but you can bring us rest. We are wounded, but you can heal us. We are in darkness, but you can supply us light. What a transformation we can experience in your presence. How unbelievable is your grace. How glorious is your victory that overcomes our defeated ways. Now we stand taller. Now we step into tomorrow with confidence,
In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
You see our worry. You know the true nature of our burdens. Sometimes, just by the way life unravels, we must adjust to a heavier load. But other times we take onto ourselves schedules that overload us, problems that can't be solved, and cares that rightfully belong to others. We confess that we cannot always tell which is ours and which belong to someone else.
You see our lack of self-forgiveness. You know how hard we are on ourselves. The patience we offer others, we deny ourselves. Life has become bleak, gray, unfocused because we have decided -- day in and day out -- to punish ourselves.
So we come to you, not from rational thought, but from overwhelming need. We are incomplete, but you can make us whole. We are weary, but you can bring us rest. We are wounded, but you can heal us. We are in darkness, but you can supply us light. What a transformation we can experience in your presence. How unbelievable is your grace. How glorious is your victory that overcomes our defeated ways. Now we stand taller. Now we step into tomorrow with confidence,
In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
