Christ who is all and is in all, as we gather this morning- reawaken us to your presence with us.
God who reaches through the chaos of time and space to be with us- remind us of your steadfast love.
As we live and move and breathe, fill us with your life-giving spirit.
As we work and rest and play, create in us more space than we could ever imagine for generosity, compassion, empathy, love, justice.
As the seasons begin to shift again, we return to school and work and hobbies and routines. Bless our teachers and students as they navigate new normals, expand their horizons, and journey with one another through a new school year. Bless our parents and families as they surround learners with love and support, sending children off to spread their wings of independence and curiosity. As we step into this new season, give us the courage and discernment to release what we need to leave behind and take with us what sustains us.
God, when our world is heartbreaking, hold space for our rage, our grief, our lament. Let our awareness of injustice move us to action and not paralyse us with fear. Teach us again how to proclaim a new way of living and loving, one that includes all people, one that empowers women, and queer folks, and immigrants. One that refuses to side with systems of power and authority that dehumanize and desecrate for profit or political gain.
For every adult and child in Palestine and Ukraine – we pray, let your healing waters of justice rush down.
With news each day of new disappearances in our nation, state, and city- we pray, let your healing waters of justice rush down.
As leaders become unconcerned with the real lives of the people they are serving – we pray, let your healing waters of justice rush down.
As our capital becomes militarized and our neighbors without adequate resources are criminalized – we pray, let your healing waters of justice rush down.
As perpetrators of injustice pull at the threads of our public life, attempting to unravel rights and protections and funding for marginalized groups, public lands, education, those in need of healthcare- we pray, let your healing waters of justice rush down.
As we experience loss of life or loss of livelihood – we pray let your healing waters of love and justice rush down.
Where there is violence, let us be active peacemakers. Where there is oppression, let us work for liberation. Where there is despair, re-seed our souls with sturdy hope.
Save us, O God, from our own participation in the harms of our reality. Form us in the ways of love, peace, justice, and truth. Shift our focus from what we might gain to how we might contribute to our communal flourishing. Give us strength for this day, that we might continue on.
Make these words more than words, we pray, and give us the spirit of Jesus, the one who taught us how to pray, saying…