PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

Holy abundance, we admit we all too often trade faith for 'if only' thinking. If only there wasn't war, or climate change, or racism, or disease, or poverty, or addiction, or abuse. If only we had more time, more money, more space, more sleep. If only we had a different leader, a different job, a different past, a different partner. If only we could get out of debt, get organized, get sober, get healthy. If only we'd study more, left earlier, planned better, tried harder.

God, we do believe your love is abundant, your grace is sufficient, and your work on the cross left nothing unfinished. So, like that dad in Mark's gospel seeking healing for his chronically ill son, we cry out "I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief."

Thank you for hearing the yearnings of our hearts behind all those if only's, and thank you for reminding us that you are the God of hope.

PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Oh well of living water, we offer thanksgiving for this very land, Awaken's new community. You our God have led us into the great stream of people that has always lived and worked, always loved and worshipped on this peace of Earth. We give you praise.

For the Dakota people who came before us, and who are here still, we do thank you. Thank you for their life ways, and their example of stewardship of this land and water.

For the people of this Rondo neighborhood who came before us, and who are here still, we do thank you. Thank you for their legacies, and continued examples of family, productivity, and perseverance.

For the people of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, who came before us and who have invited us, Awaken Community, to be among them now, we do thank you. Thank you for Redeemer's history, for their ministry, and for their welcome to us. Specifically this day, we thank you our God for providing through Redeemer a way for the Awaken garden ministry to continue. Use the Awaken garden to deepen the work of renewal and restoration in this land. Show us how to live out our values of justice, hospitality, and beauty as we go about the planting and watering, the weeding and harvesting. Multiply the bags of produce and the bouquets of flowers so that our neighbors will be extravagantly blessed by you, through Walking With a Purpose.

PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

It's so easy to pray, "God change the world. God, change them." Forgive us for acting as if only you would, then we could get on with our lives. Oh God, instead fill us with the courage to pray, change us. God, change me. Make my attitude more curious, my actions more just, my words more authentic, towards myself and towards others. Give Awaken joy and peace as we trust in you. Make us to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of the well we gather around, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

- Read by Cheryl Overvig

- Written by Cheryl Overvig

“Prayers of the People” music by The Brilliance

© 2015 Brownie Hawkeye Music; Integrity's Praise!

Music; Evan Wickham Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated

Performed by Halle Hanson