Friends, we have heard God’s Word. We have reflected on it together. We have sung about it. We have learned more about it through Carl’s thoughtful story and message. And now, we have an opportunity to respond – to begin our practice of being doers of the Word and not just hearers or passive listeners.
In this time of prayer, we pause our own minds and our own lives to be present together, lifting up requests, not only for ourselves, but also for one another and the world. Prayer is a simple but amazingly powerful way to expand our often-obstructed gaze.
We know that some of us come with happy hearts – celebrating births or milestones. While others come with heavy hearts – worried about their jobs or health, or broken relationships, either for ourselves or others.
If you have a prayer request today, our members and pastors would love to pray with you. You can fill out a green prayer card by the doors or speak with someone after the service. All of these pule, or prayer requests, are kept confidential, of course, but our staff will be glad to pray with you throughout the week, anytime, anyplace. (You may also email prayers@centralunionchurch.org.)
But now, dear Friends, let us come before God as a community that is faithful in prayer. Let us pray…
God of mauka and makai, mountain and sea, of honua and hokulea, desert and sky, we praise you. We give you thanks this day, for your work in our lives and in our world, and for your graciousness to us. You have not left us to navigate this life alone, but have, instead, blessed us with a Holy Guide, your living Spirit, to show us the way.
You walk with us, LORD. You give us companionship on this journey – through family members and friends, ‘ohana and compadres. We give you thanks for these beautiful souls, and for the ways they teach us about your abiding Love, your Agape and your Aloha. We mahalo and mālama you, O Ke Akua.
O Holy One, continue to shower us with kōkua and grace. Protect us as we pray, and lead us to a life of Faith, framed by your authenticity.
Calm us in those times when we have not carefully weighed what to say but have jumped to conclusions and reacted defensively. Lead us in those times when we are too quick to anger. Hold us in those times when we are too dense to understand. Ignite our lives with purpose and joy. Transform our lives with your Shield of Glory! Change our lives so we can become bold Soldiers of your Everlasting Truth.
Transform us, we pray. Help us to hear the cries of the lonely – those who are hungry and thirsty or have no place to rest their head. Help us to be peacemakers in a world so fraught with war… and empower us to reach out to Others, to care for the sick, the dying, the Imprisoned and imperiled, the oppressed, and the disadvantaged.
O God of compassion, in this time of silence, we lift up the prayers of our own often palpitating hearts – prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and those we don’t know, and for those far beyond our isolated shores. Hear our silent prayers.
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Lord, in your unending mercy, hear our prayers, and bring comfort and peace, and healing and grace. We pray this, and all things, in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who always stood on the side of those more in need, and we pray the prayer he taught us, saying…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
On the first Sunday in September, we celebrate Laity Sunday when our lay members lead us in worship as we remember that all of us, not just ordained clergy, are called to minister and do the ministry of our church. Longtime church member Ken Harding, who is also a Member In Discernment with the O‘ahu Association, shared this prayer in our 11 AM worship service.
