Prayers of the People
Session 7 • Justice & peace • Devotional
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
In our corporate worship as a church community, we have often engaged in Prayers of the People. This is a way for us to join our voices in unity, crying out for the same cause. Below is a corporate prayer for reconciliation. You may want to use this prayer in conjunction with these songs that we have sung together in conjunction with these prayers: Prayers of the People and Remember.
Father, we confess that as a community of your people, we all too easily pass judgement and make assumptions about others based on appearances. We often fail to even recognize the layers of unconscious bias that lurk beneath the surface of our privilege. Forgive us for all the ways in which we have shown prejudice or failed to see the beauty of your image in those around us. Your love shows no partiality. Forgive us for any way in which we have failed to uphold the truth that we are all equal before our Good Father.
Lord, your word says that ‘people look at the outward appearance, but You look at the heart.’ Thank you for being a God who does not discriminate. Help us to see people as you see them. Give us eyes to see the child of God in every face we meet. Help us to recognize that we are image bearers of Christ. May that be the true source from which our sense of identity radiates. In Christ, we are one body and one family. By our love for ourselves and each other, may the world know that we are your disciples.
Jesus, your words invited people to action, and your actions demonstrated the very words you called them to follow. So often we stop at words. Make us a people who are more than good intentions and sentiment. May we follow you in the costlier way of love. One day from every nation, tribe, people and language your children will stand before your throne in worship and we will see in full. May we begin to live together now as we will on that day. For the sake of your son, and the sake of our world, Amen.
