Our Times —
- July 2024 — If you’re feeling a need to pray for our nation, you may appreciate this prayer composed by Rev. Bronwen Boswell, Acting Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly —
- “Dear God, we pray for the unity of our nation. Heal the wounds of division and discord. Foster in us a spirit of reconciliation and mutual respect so that we may come together in our shared humanity to seek the well-being of all your children. Lord, in these times of uncertainty, help us to remember that our ultimate allegiance is to your Kin-dom. Fill our hearts with love, compassion and a relentless commitment to justice. Empower us to be peacemakers, bridge builders and advocates for truth. In your infinite wisdom, guide our nation’s leaders. May they govern with righteousness and compassion. Grant them the courage to seek the common good over partisan interests, and the discernment to make decisions that foster peace and justice for all. May they be compassionate toward the vulnerable and the marginalized, working tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard and valued. Lord, in this election season, we lift our nation to you. We pray for every citizen, every candidate and every public servant. We ask for your protection over our democratic processes and institutions. May they reflect integrity, transparency and fairness, honoring the dignity and worth of every individual created in your image. As we navigate through these tumultuous times, we are reminded of the sacred duty you have entrusted to us — to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with you, our God. May we strive to be your justice seekers and peacemakers in our church sanctuaries and civic duties. In the name of Jesus Christ, who is our peace and our hope, we pray. Amen.”
- June 2024 — Before the US presidential debate that took place on June 27, 2024, the following prayer by Erin Weber-Johnson and Mieke Vandersall was published in the journal “Presbyterian Outlook” —
- “Well, God, here we are again. In previous election seasons we’ve cried, we’ve yelled, we’ve worried, we’ve cheered, we’ve ignored, we’ve spoken what we thought was “truth.” We’ve tried to make all sorts of ideas and all sorts of people into our salvation, forgetting that you are our salvation. This time, we remind ourselves that the work you call us to continues, regardless of election outcomes. And yet, yet. What happens in November matters to real people. So, here we are. Before you. We remember the arc of history is long and points towards justice; we remember stories of kingdoms that rose and fell; we remember there was a Jesus who turned the world upside down. Help us ground our minds, our hearts, our souls. Quiet whirlwinds in our brains and our bodies. Help us remember: You endure beyond this moment; your love is greater than our imaginations; we are yours. And. We have work to do. Your work. For your people and your earth. Work through us as we offer care for the most vulnerable among us. Work through us as we try to show up in the world in a way that reflects your promises. Work through us as we try. Hold us together as we hold the contradictions of being human. We know you can do this for it is you who knit us together at the time of creation. Hear our prayer. Amen.”
Ending Hunger —
- As a Hunger Action Congregation, one of our Mission Partners (Bread for the World) is focused on actions for ending hunger, including prayer and legislation.