Here’s
a thoughtful intercessory prayer during this pandemic Easter season. It was
written by Katherine Kussmaul, Saint Giles Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC and
posted on LiturgyLink.
Prayers of the People: Risen
Lord, Hear Our Cry
(inspired by Psalm 116 &
Luke 24:13-31a)
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Risen Lord, hear our cry
for help –
for those surrounded by
the shroud of death
for those covered by the
mantle of dying
for those hemmed-in by
illness, visible or veiled
hear our cry for help…
for those weighed down
with worries
for those carrying the
burden of distress
for those overwhelmed by
isolation
hear our cry for help…
for those who are weary
for those who are
tattered and worn
for those who collapse
from exhaustion
hear our cry for help…
Risen Lord, hear our cry
of thanksgiving –
for the graciousness
with which you hear
for the patience with
which you listen
for the grace with which
you care
hear our cry of
thanksgiving…
for the ways you
accompany us through deep valleys
for the ways you lead us
to still meadows
for the ways you provide
all we need
hear our cry of
thanksgiving…
for transforming death
in resurrection life
for blessing and breaking
ordinary bread
for opening our eyes to
recognize you
hear our cry of
thanksgiving…
Risen Lord, hear our cry
for communities of faith –
that we retain memory of
being together
that we embrace unity in
the reality of distance
that we foresee a future
side-by-side, hand-in-hand
hear our cry for
communities of faith…
that we sense purpose
beyond ourselves
that we perceive the
needs of creation
that we stretch
ourselves to respond
hear our cry for
communities of faith…
that our ways be formed
by Your Way
that our lives be shaped
by Your Life
that our love be Your
Love
hear our cry for
communities our faith…
And hear us as we pray
together….
