Lenten Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we move through this Lenten season and closer to Good Friday, we see more clearly the sin in our lives and in this world, and our great need for your mercy.

As wars rage, we pray boldly that, as the psalmist says, you would make wars to cease to the ends of the earth. Until that day, we pray for those physically in harm’s way, for those who mourn the loss of loved ones, and for those who are filled with anxiety about what tomorrow may bring.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Injustice spreads throughout the world, the wounds of which ripple through families, friendships, and communities. Bring justice and repentance where sin is denied, and mercy and grace to those who harbor shame that was never theirs to bear. Remind us that even in the midst of great brokenness, you are making all things new.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who are sick. Give endurance and strength to those fighting the long battle of chronic illness. We pray for those wrestling with the bad news of a diagnosis. Surround them with the support of friends, caregivers, and your church, so that they might know they don’t need to bear the burden alone. Comfort those who are forced to wrestle with their mortality far sooner than they would have liked. Remind them, and remind all of us, that death is not the end, and point us ever towards the resurrection and new life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

All of these prayers we’ve said aloud, and those you know are on our hearts, we offer to you, Lord, binding them together with the prayer Jesus taught us to pray…