O Word of God: A Prayer
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Our God, Hear our prayer today.
We praise you as Creator God, Redeemer Christ, Sustainer Spirit, Lord.
By your Word you have created all that there is. The moon, the stars, and the earth below; the mountains and the seas, the rivers, and the dry land; all creatures great and small, and humankind as the crown of your creation.
And it is by your Word you sustain us through summer sun and evening rains, causing our crops to grow that we might have food upon our tables.
Forgive us when we do not show care for your creation as we should… when we squander resources, pollute, ravage, and destroy; thinking we are the owners and forgetting that you, God, are Creator; and we are to be the caretakers of all that you have created.
You are the Word written into the very fabric of our beings. We are your children. As our loving Parent, you desire the best for us as we live in relationship with you and with one another as dearly loved brothers and sisters in this place.
Forgive us when we fail to love and care for one another as you would have us to. Convict us so that we may become champions of social justice for the poor, those in need, those without homes, those rejected by society, and those estranged from family.
And we pray especially this day for the victims of gun violence as we have seen in our own greater Atlanta community in Hampton and Henry County.
We were shocked.
Our hearts hurt and ache for these families. We lift them up to you this day. But thoughts and prayers are not enough. Convict us so that we may seek your will in thoughtful, meaningful measures to curb the infection of gun violence facing our nation.
Help us, Lord! Heal us, Lord!
You are the Word documented upon the tablets of time; the ancient wisdom of those who sought you of old.
You are the Word revealed through the pages scripture, where we read the story of who you are and how much you love humankind.
You are the Word of truth that guides us on our way… “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.”
You are the Word given as a consolation to those of us who are lonely, scared, or in need of your assurance. We lift these up to you this day.
You are the Word of hope to those of us undergoing sickness, injury, facing surgery, or enduring chronic pain. For these we earnestly pray.
You are the Word of comfort to those of us suffering the heartbreak of grief and loss. May we be your hands and your feet and your very presence in their lives.
You are the Word eternal; our hope for evermore.
You are the Word incarnate; love dwelling among us.
You are the Word… the Living Word… and we dearly love you so!
Hear our prayer, O Word of God.
It is in Christ and through Your spirit we pray. Amen
R. Mark Green
Pastor to Senior Adults and Youth & Children’s Music