Prayer for Peace and Patience
In this moment of silence God, we feel your presence and are grateful. We've come with many things on our hearts and minds and some are buried in our souls. We know we can lay our burdens before you but sometimes it is too hard for us to trust and to let go. Lord our desire is to be more like you --forgive us when we fail and our patience runs low. We need you as our Guide, help us to move out of the way and let you lead. We aren’t patient, especially in these days of turmoil, quarantine, and sadness in the world. We miss people. We miss the fellowship.
Our world is in a mess Lord. We pray for those in the Middle East who are experiencing war--may they know peace and safety. We remember our brothers and sisters who hunger for food--may they be filled with both bread and hope. We pray for those in refugee camps and at borders--may they find both a home and comfort in your presence. We pray for children who have fled their homeland for what they see as the promised land--may they find shelter and grace. We pray for our nation which is so divided—we need hope. In these days we need patience to heal our souls and hearts.
In the midst of our needs Lord, we are also thankful. Thankful for the rain that has watered the gardens and helped produce food for us. We are thankful for our church family and the love, support, and fellowship we fill when we simply click the link to watch worship, Zoom into a Sunday school class, receive a note from a fellow member, or talk on the phone with one of our dear ministers. We are thankful that we can set aside the rest of the world and the worries and for a time of prayer. We are grateful that you aren’t only our Creator but our Sustainer, our faithful friend and our confidant, and our Forgiver and Lord. May we always have hearts of gratitude as we sit and wait for healing for the world.
Lord we are all created in your image. May our words and deeds be pleasing in your sight and as we work together with ALL people, may we remember that the world is need of love and a whole of patience with one another, just as you have been with us each day. Amen
Rev. Ellen Sechrest, joined First Baptist Decatur in March 2020 and serves as the Manager of Global Missions Engagement at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.