The Prayers of the Church for Trinity Sunday (June 7, 2020)

Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared world.

• Dear God, thank you for that reminder—and that command—that was our call to prayer just a moment ago: “Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our sharedworld.”
  And then there were the all-too-true-words spoken in this morning’s confession: “We fear difference and do not welcome others as you have welcomed us.”
  We confess those sins today, Lord, knowing—and seeing—the harm that our fears of difference and generations-long failures to seek “liberty and justice for all” have done.
  Forgive us, Lord. Forgive our certainty that our own point of view is always right. And that how we react to the news and the videos and the commentary is always appropriate.
  Give us humility, Lord. With the promise of forgiveness that you never fail to offer us, help us to speak out when speaking out is needed; to be silent and thoughtful when silence and thoughtfulness is needed; to act when action is called for; and to be restrained when restraint is called for. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

• Almighty God, in today’s message and song, we were reminded that the triune life of God is a constant and perpetual dance of love. As you invite us to join in that dance, let love—not fear—fill our hearts. As you call us into unity with you, make us steadfast in not only seeking, but creating, unity with one another. As you stand on the side of justice and stand with those who suffer unjustly, call us also to stand—or kneel—with those who suffer from oppression and injustice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

• Lord, as Lutheran Christians we are both taught and reminded that government is a gift that comes from you for the sake of order, protection, and safety. We earnestly pray for those who have been elected by us—but called by you—to watch over and protect us. Protect them. But also give them loving and discerning hearts and minds so that they know the purpose and the responsibility of their calling. The purpose of government is to ensure liberty and justice for all. The police are to serve and protect all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

• Heavenly Father, as our communities move toward fewer restrictions on our movements and activities, watch over us and help us continue to be wise, not simply in protecting ourselves, but especially in protecting others—especially those vulnerable to illness—as we venture out. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

• Healer of our every ill and hope for our tomorrow, you invite us to cast all our care upon and to lay all of our burdens down at your feet.
  Help us each to do that now …
  We pause to pray and bring to mind those in need of healing …
  We pause to pray for and bring to mind those in need of hope …
  We pause to cast—and name—not only our own cares and burdens, but also the cares and burdens of others …
  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

• And, finally, Lord. As the events of this past week have brought out strong emotion and quick reaction to us, remind us that Jesus calls us to pray for our enemies. Help each of us to do that now, acknowledging that, when we are scared or shocked, worried or angry, we do indeed look upon others as enemies.
  We pause now, therefore, to bring to mind those people and those situations this past week where we have reacted with hate and anger. Help us to see our enemies as you see them and, as we began this prayer this morning, to be called into unity with them and with all of creation.
  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.