Closing Prayers

As we hold in remembrance these events in a city long ago, we pray for our city. 

For those who administer justice.

For those in prison, rightly or wrongly. 

For the stranger and the alien among us. 

For those who bear heavy burdens.

For parents who grieve lost children.

For children lost to violence, addiction, or despair.

For those who fall, again, and again, and again.

For those who feel constrained to participate in unjust systems.

For those who stand by, feeling helpless in the face of suffering.

May the courage of Christ on the cross strengthen us to shine the light of God’s love on heartless systems and hopeless people. 

For our cities and our county,  for our leaders, and our people, we pray: Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal one, have mercy upon us. 

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.