Prayers of the People (10/4/15)

Our response will be: God of love, hear our prayer

For our church and its leaders—Pope Francis, Archbishop Sean O’malley, all women religious, clergy and lay people: That we may live with our hearts spontaneously open—to the Holy Spirit moving and acting in our lives and to one another.

We pray to the Lord

For the LGBT community, and for the LGBT people who have no community, who are betrayed, bullied unto death, alienated from family, friends, and You, the source of love and courage.  May we be beacons of light, faith, and steadfast love for our LGBT friends.

We pray to the Lord

For all who have lost homes or livelihoods due to wildfires and for those who are fighting the fires: help to rebuild their lives, give them courage to face the future, keep them safe from all harm.
We pray to the Lord

For our country, as it stands torn open by gun violence and a vitriolic discourse that seems to go nowhere.  For all victims and families of those who perished at Umpqua Community College and for all the victims and families whose names do not make the news. For an end to this senseless violence. For mercy and for wisdom.

We pray to the Lord

For all those who live on the streets of our city and beyond—as the weather gets bitter and unforgiving, may God be with them as they look for warmth and solace. For an end to the stigma and shame around homelessness. For compassionate eyes, open hearts. For change.

We pray to the Lord

For all those who live with the everyday reality of war—that they may find safety, healing and redemption in their communities and nations. We think especially today of our brothers, sisters, siblings in Syria, Iraq and Mexico . Let us pray for their peace. (Pause)

We pray to the Lord

For our community here at Tufts: that the Holy Spirit will inspire us with new visions of how to cultivate our gifts and help us to encourage and support our brothers and sisters to do the same. That we may listen to both the needs of the world and our own hearts.

We pray to the Lord