05.01.08

Prayers for the Day

Posted in Prayer at 3:59 pm by Anthony

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  This morning several folks from Albany met on the courthouse lawn to pray for our nation and community.  I was asked to lead two prayers.  This is your invitation to join me in praying for the the poor, oppressed, the sick and the hurting of the world, as well as for the schools in Albany (feel free to adapt to where you are).

Reading:  Luke 4:16-21

Dear Father,

We praise you because Jesus is Good News to the poor. We confess to you that we are often so consumed with self-interest that we become calloused and insensitive toward those in deep need.

Help us all to comprehend the depths of our own poverty and, at the same time, to be faithful stewards of all of our blessings, for we are blessed. Though we are a blessed people, living in a blessed nation, there are still many poor among us, and many more throughout the world. Give them, this day, their daily bread, and break down the structures, the traditions, the attitudes, and the powers that keep them in poverty.

Bring comfort this day, Lord, to those who are hurting, both in body and in spirit. Comfort those who are grieving, heal those who are sick, bring light to those who are in the darkness of despair. Bless our seniors; help us to learn from them, and to honor them. Bless the unborn and defend their lives.

We pray for people throughout the world who are living in poverty and under tyranny. May you make them rich in every way and bring them into the freedom that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is in his name we pray, Amen.

Reading:  Mark 10:13-16 

Holy God in heaven,

Look down in your grace and mercy on all of the children and young adults who you have placed in our care as families and as a community. We ask you to bless them and lead us as we seek to point them toward you.

We lift up before you those who are charged with their formal education. We pray for Superintendent Shane Fields for Principals Doyleen and Tommy Terrell, for Assistant Principle Andy Wilson, for each teacher, aid, nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, for all of us who are parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles – all those who have a role in training our children.

Thank you for our excellent schools here in Albany – schools where children, are taught, nurtured, and disciplined. Schools where faith is encouraged and not ridiculed.

All of us – parents, teachers, and administrators – are human and we make mistakes. Please forgive us and help us to learn from and correct those mistakes, and keep us from doing anything tha would harm our children.

We pray for the older ones – those in junior high and high school – those who are making difficult choices about their future careers, their education, their faith, their relationships, and their behavior, all at a time when they may be confused about their own identities and worth. Lead them in paths of wisdom, dear Lord.

May we embrace the kingdom heaven with the simple faith of a child, and may we never put a stumbling block in the path of any of the least of these. Lord Jesus, may they each feel the warm comfort and strength of your hand upon them. It is in your name that we pray, Amen.

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