PRAYER FOR OUR WORLD

Lord, we know there are many people who are being harmed by policy decisions made across the world. Today, we pray for the voices of activists who are being silenced, those suffering under occupation and colonialism, and the vulnerable communities being crushed by economic systems built to exploit. And for all those whose struggles go unseen, we lift them up to you as well. We ask you to embolden, sharpen, and strengthen those who have the ear of world leaders. May they be willing to speak truth to power and use their proximity to push back against oppression. Open the eyes and soften the hearts of those being misled and deceived so that we may reconcile our hearts to another, and as a united front fight back against the forces which seek to device us. And should we ourselves carry any mistruths that are not aligned with you, we ask you to keep our hearts humble and open to receiving your course correction.

Please bless and guide the work of our missional partner, International Justice Mission, as they continue your work of advocating for people suffering under modern day slavery, trafficking, and oppressive violence. Lord, we know you are filled with righteous anger when vulnerable people are subject to mistreatment and exploitation, so we ask you to continue empowering IJM as they influence public policy, demand greater protections from legal systems, bring perpetrators to justice, and pursue the holy work of liberation.

Lord, hear our prayer.

PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

God, we thank you so much for our new home at Redeemer, and for the hospitality of those we share this sacred space with. We pray that even in our times of wandering and when we may feel lost, that you remain our north star and offer a place of rest when home feels far away. We also ask that our community continues to be a lighthouse for those feeling lost, alone, and with nowhere to turn. May you continue to soften the hearts of each and every one of us, encouraging us to share our resources and blessing with others. Let us be a reminder to our surrounding community that Christ's arms are always a place that we can fall into.

Lord, hear our prayer.

PRAYER FOR OUR LIVES

God, I won't pretend it's always easy to see your hand at work in the world right now. The pain, confusion, rage, it can feel all-consuming at times. And if I'm honest, I often feel lost and scattered in it. Unsure of where to turn or what promise of yours to fix my eyes on. Please give me, and others who also grapple with this, the courage to admit when we're disoriented, the humility to sit in the grief of what feels lost, and the faith to believe that even in the wilderness you are still leading us. I ask now that, in each of our lives you, give us the peace in our hearts to know that you still walk alongside us, and that our shared grief will not be in vain.

Amen.

- Read by Bailee Payne

- Written by Bailee Payne

“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