Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by John 20:
19-31, the gospel reading suggested for the second Sunday of Easter. It was written by Susan Miller, and
posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters
for Sunday website.
Pastoral Prayer
(inspired by John 20:19-31)
In the evening when the disciples meet
Frightened behind locked doors
You come to them with words of peace.
For wicked plots have failed,
And the cruelty of the world has come to nothing,
And the betrayal and the denial of friends have not
prevailed.
Life-giving God,
We give you thanks
For Jesus has risen.
He comes to us with words of peace
Come to us today.
In government rooms where politicians meet
In city board rooms where executives plan,
In court rooms where lawyers debate,
Come with words of peace.
In hospital rooms where people are waiting,
In prison cells where people are afraid
In homes where people struggle to make ends meet,
Come with words of peace.
Come to us whenever we are afraid
Whenever we are grieving
Come to us now we pray in silence
For those we care for and are worried about…
Despite the strong and solid doors we lock
To protect ourselves
To shut out the world
Come to us with words of peace.
This Easter breathe on us again
With your Spirit
For you have overcome evil
And wicked plots fail
And the cruelty of the world comes to nothing
And the betrayal and denial of friends do not
prevail.
Renew us in the power of your Spirit
That we may open the doors
And go out into the world
To bring words of peace to the people we meet.
Renew us in the power of your Spirit
That we may have life in your name
And go wherever you send us
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
~ written by Susan Miller (alt), and posted on the
Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
